Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 9.635 - Issuance of a certificate of authority to a foreign HMO(a) A foreign HMO may be authorized by issuance of a certificate of authority to operate or to do business in this Commonwealth if the Department is satisfied that it is fully and legally organized and approved and regulated under the laws of its state and that it complies with the requirements for HMOs organized within and certified by the Commonwealth. A foreign HMO shall submit a letter to the Department and a copy of its approved application for licensure or certification on file with its state of domicile.(b) A foreign HMO shall submit a completed Commonwealth application for a certificate of authority in accordance with §§ 9.631 and 9.632 (relating to content of an application for an HMO certificate of authority; and HMO certificate of authority review by the Department) and the following: (1) In lieu of the Commonwealth application, a foreign HMO may submit to the Department and the Insurance Department a copy of the application submitted and approved for certificate of authority or licensure in another state with cross references to requirements contained in the Commonwealth's application.(2) The foreign HMO shall provide, along with the out-of-State application, documentation of any change or modification occurring since that certificate of authority or license was approved.(3) The foreign HMO shall otherwise affirm that the information submitted to the Department remains current and accurate at the time of submission.(c) The Department may waive or modify its requirements under the HMO Act, this subchapter and Subchapters F and J (relating to general; and health care provider contracts) insofar as they apply to HMOs, following a written request from the foreign HMO for the modification or waiver and upon determination by the Department that the requirements are not appropriate to the particular foreign HMO, and that the waiver or modification will be consistent with the purposes of the HMO Act, and that it would not result in unfair discrimination in favor of the HMO of another state.(d) Foreign HMOs are required to comply on the same basis as Commonwealth certified HMOs with all ongoing reporting and operational requirements, including external quality assurance assessments.(e) If the Department and the Insurance Department arrive at reciprocal licensing agreements with other states, the requirements of this subchapter may be waived or modified.(f) Upon receipt of a complete application for a certificate of authority the Department will publish notification of receipt in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The Department will accept public comments, suggestions or objections to the application for 30 days after publication. The Department may hold a public meeting concerning the application, with appropriate notification to the applicant, and notice to the public through publication of notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.