Rule 120-2-79-.21 - Examination by Commissioner; On-Site Visits(1) A health plan purchasing cooperative shall, at the request of the Commissioner, respond in writing within fifteen (15) working days to any complaint received by the Commissioner concerning the health plan purchasing cooperative. If, in the Commissioner's discretion, the frequency or severity of such complaints or infractions justify an examination of the health plan purchasing cooperative's practices and procedures, any such examination by the Commissioner, or any person designated by the Commissioner, shall be at the expense of the health plan purchasing cooperative. In addition to any other remedy available to the Commissioner, failure by the health plan purchasing cooperative to willingly and fully cooperate with this rule may result in either suspension, revocation or refusal to renew a certificate of authority by the Commissioner.(2) The Commissioner or his or her designated representative is authorized to make a complete on-site examination of the affairs of each health plan purchasing cooperative as often as is deemed necessary. Whenever the Commissioner shall deem it expedient, he or she shall examine, by use of an examiner duly authorized by him or her, the affairs, transactions, accounts, records, documents, assets, liabilities, of a health plan purchasing cooperative and any other facts relative to its business methods, management, and dealings with policyholders, certificate holders, and members.(3) Any health plan purchasing cooperative being examined shall provide to the Commissioner or his or her designee convenient and free access, at all reasonable hours at their offices, to all books, records, documents and other papers relating to the health plan purchasing cooperative's business affairs.(4) At the direction of the Commissioner, the health plan purchasing cooperative shall pay the fees and expenses of the examination. The examiner shall file a consolidated account for the examination with the Commissioner.(5) Nothing in this Rule shall limit or abridge any other investigatory powers of the Commissioner vested in him or her by Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 120-2-79-.21
O.C.G.A. Secs. 33-2-9, 33-30A-5, 33-30A-9.
Original Rule entitled "Examination by Commissioner; On-Site Visits" adopted. F. Feb. 23, 2000; eff. Mar. 14, 2000.