State of Illinois
90th General Assembly
Legislation

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[ Introduced ][ Engrossed ][ House Amendment 001 ]
[ House Amendment 002 ]

90_HB0974sam001

                                           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1                     AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 974
 2        AMENDMENT NO.     .  Amend House Bill  974  by  replacing
 3    the title with the following:
 4        "AN   ACT   concerning   the   delivery  of  health  care
 5    services."; and
 6    by replacing everything after the enacting  clause  with  the
 7    following:
 8        "Section  1.  Short  title.  This Act may be cited as the
 9    Managed Care Patient Rights Act.
10        Section 5.  Health care patient rights.
11        (a)  A patient has the  right  to  care  consistent  with
12    professional  standards of practice to assure quality nursing
13    and medical practices, to choose the participating  physician
14    responsible  for  coordinating  his  or  her care, to receive
15    information concerning his  or  her  condition  and  proposed
16    treatment, to refuse any treatment to the extent permitted by
17    law,  and to privacy and confidentiality of records except as
18    otherwise provided by law.
19        (b)  A patient has the right,  regardless  of  source  of
20    payment,  to  examine and to receive a reasonable explanation
21    of his or her total bill for health care services rendered by
                            -2-            LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    his or her physician or other health care provider, including
 2    the  itemized  charges  for  specific  health  care  services
 3    received.  A physician or other health care provider shall be
 4    responsible only for  a    reasonable  explanation  of  those
 5    specific  health  care  services  provided by the health care
 6    provider.
 7        (c)  A patient has the right to timely  prior  notice  of
 8    the  termination  in  the event a health care plan cancels or
 9    refuses to renew an enrollee's participation in the plan.
10        (d)  A   patient   has   the   right   to   privacy   and
11    confidentiality in health care. This right may  be  expressly
12    waived in writing by the patient or the patient's guardian.
13        (e)  An  individual  has the right to purchase any health
14    care services with that individual's own funds.
15        Section 10.  Definitions:
16        "Department" means the Department of Insurance.
17        "Emergency medical condition" means a  medical  condition
18    manifesting  itself  by acute symptoms of sufficient severity
19    (including severe pain) such that a  prudent  layperson,  who
20    possesses  an average knowledge of health and medicine, could
21    reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical  attention
22    to result in:
23             (1)  placing  the health of the individual (or, with
24        respect to a pregnant woman, the health of the  woman  or
25        her unborn child) in serious jeopardy;
26             (2)  serious impairment to bodily functions; or
27             (3)  serious  dysfunction  of  any  bodily  organ or
28        part.
29        "Emergency services" means, with respect to  an  enrollee
30    of   a  health  plan,  transportation  services  and  covered
31    inpatient and outpatient hospital  services  furnished  by  a
32    provider  qualified to furnish those services that are needed
33    to evaluate or  stabilize  an  emergency  medical  condition.
                            -3-            LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    "Emergency  services"  does  not  refer to post-stabilization
 2    medical services.
 3        "Enrollee" means any person and  his  or  her  dependents
 4    enrolled in or covered by a health care plan.
 5        "Health   care  plan"  means  a  plan  that  establishes,
 6    operates, or maintains a network  of  health  care  providers
 7    that  have  entered  into agreements with the plan to provide
 8    health care services to enrollees to whom the  plan  has  the
 9    obligation  to  arrange  for  the provision of or payment for
10    services  through  organizational  arrangements  for  ongoing
11    quality assurance, utilization review  programs,  or  dispute
12    resolution.
13        For purposes of this definition, "health care plan" shall
14    not include the following:
15             (1)  indemnity  health  insurance policies including
16        those using a contracted provider network;
17             (2)  health care plans that  offer  only  dental  or
18        only vision coverage;
19             (3)  preferred  provider  administrators, as defined
20        in Section 370g(g) of the Illinois Insurance Code;
21             (4)  employee  or   employer   self-insured   health
22        benefit  plans  under  the  federal  Employee  Retirement
23        Income Security Act of 1974; and
24             (5)  health  care  provided pursuant to the Workers'
25        Compensation Act or the  Workers'  Occupational  Diseases
26        Act.
27        "Health  care  provider"  means  any  physician, hospital
28    facility, or other  person  that  is  licensed  or  otherwise
29    authorized to deliver health care services.
30        "Health care services" means any services included in the
31    furnishing   to  any  individual  of  medical  care,  or  the
32    hospitalization or incident to the furnishing of such care or
33    hospitalization as well as the furnishing to  any  person  of
34    any  and  all  other  services for the purpose of preventing,
                            -4-            LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    alleviating, curing,  or  healing  human  illness  or  injury
 2    including   home   health  and  pharmaceutical  services  and
 3    products.
 4        "Medical director" means  a  physician  licensed  in  any
 5    state to practice medicine in all its branches appointed by a
 6    health care plan.
 7        "Person"  means  a corporation, association, partnership,
 8    limited liability company, sole proprietorship, or any  other
 9    legal entity.
10        "Physician"  means a person licensed to practice medicine
11    in all its branches under the Medical Practice Act of 1987.
12        "Post-stabilization medical services" means  health  care
13    services  provided  to  an  enrollee  that are furnished in a
14    licensed hospital by a provider that is qualified to  furnish
15    such  services,  and determined to be medically necessary and
16    directly related to the emergency medical condition following
17    stabilization.
18        "Primary care" means the provision of a  broad  range  of
19    personal   health   care  services  (preventive,  diagnostic,
20    curative, counseling, or rehabilitative) in a manner that  is
21    accessible  and  comprehensive and coordinated by a physician
22    licensed to practice medicine in all its branches.
23        "Primary  care  physician"  means  a  physician  who  has
24    contracted with a health care plan to  provide  primary  care
25    services  as  defined  by the contract and who is a physician
26    licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches. Nothing
27    in this definition shall be construed to  prohibit  a  health
28    care  plan  from  requiring a physician to meet a health care
29    plan's criteria in order to coordinate access to health care.
30        "Stabilization"  means,  with  respect  to  an  emergency
31    medical condition, to provide such medical treatment  of  the
32    condition  as  may  be necessary to assure, within reasonable
33    medical probability, that no material  deterioration  of  the
34    condition is likely to result.
                            -5-            LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1        "Utilization  review" means the evaluation of the medical
 2    necessity, appropriateness, and  efficiency  of  the  use  of
 3    health care services, procedures, and facilities.
 4        "Utilization  review program" means a program established
 5    by a person to perform utilization review.
 6        Section 15. Provision of information.
 7        (a)  A health care plan shall provide to  enrollees  and,
 8    upon   request,   to   prospective   enrollees   a   list  of
 9    participating health care providers in the health care plan's
10    service area and an evidence  of  coverage  that  contains  a
11    description of the following terms of coverage:
12             (1)  the service area;
13             (2)  covered benefits, exclusions or limitations;
14             (3)  precertification  and  other utilization review
15        procedures and requirements;
16             (4)  a description of the limitations on  access  to
17        specialists;
18             (5)  emergency coverage and benefits;
19             (6)  out-of-area coverages and benefits, if any;
20             (7)  the  enrollee's  financial  responsibility  for
21        copayments,  deductibles,  and  any  other  out-of-pocket
22        expenses;
23             (8)  provisions  for  continuity of treatment in the
24        event a provider's participation  terminates  during  the
25        course of an enrollee's treatment by that provider; and
26             (9)  the  grievance process, including the telephone
27        number  to  call  to   receive   information   concerning
28        grievance procedures.
29        (b)  Upon  written  request,  a  health  care  plan shall
30    provide  to  enrollees  a  description   of   the   financial
31    relationships  between the health care plan and any provider,
32    except that no health care plan shall be required to disclose
33    specific reimbursement to  providers.
                            -6-            LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1        (c)  A participating health care provider  shall  provide
 2    all  of  the  following,  where applicable, to enrollees upon
 3    request:
 4             (1)  Information  related   to   the   health   care
 5        provider's  educational background, experience, training,
 6        specialty, and board certification, if applicable.
 7             (2)  The  names  of  licensed  facilities   on   the
 8        provider  panel  where the health  provider presently has
 9        privileges for the treatment, illness, or procedure  that
10        is the subject of the request.
11             (3)  Information    regarding    the   health   care
12        provider's participation in continuing education programs
13        and compliance  with  any  licensure,  certification,  or
14        registration requirements, if applicable.
15        (d)  A  health  care  plan  shall provide the information
16    required to be disclosed under this  Act  in  a  legible  and
17    understandable format consistent with the standards developed
18    for  supplemental insurance coverage under Title XVIII of the
19    federal Social Security Act.
20        Section 20.  Notice  of  nonrenewal  or  termination.   A
21    health  care  plan  must  give  at  least  60  days notice of
22    nonrenewal or termination of a health care  provider  to  the
23    health  care  provider  and  to  the  enrollees served by the
24    health care provider. The notice shall  include  a  name  and
25    address  to  which  an  enrollee  or health care provider may
26    direct comments and  concerns  regarding  the  nonrenewal  or
27    termination. Immediate written notice may be provided without
28    60 days notice when a health care provider's license has been
29    disciplined by a state licensing board.
30        Section 25.  Transition of services.
31        (a)  A  health  care plan shall provide for continuity of
32    care for its enrollees as follows:
                            -7-            LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1             (1)  If an enrollee's physician  leaves  the  health
 2        care  plan's  network of providers for reasons other than
 3        termination  of  a  contract  in   situations   involving
 4        imminent harm to a patient or a final disciplinary action
 5        by  a  State  licensing  board  and the physician remains
 6        within the health care plan's service  area,  the  health
 7        care  plan  shall  permit  the  enrollee  to  continue an
 8        ongoing course of treatment with that physician during  a
 9        transitional period:
10                  (A)  of  90 days from the date of the notice of
11             physician's termination from the health care plan to
12             the enrollee of the physician's disaffiliation  from
13             the  health care plan if the enrollee has an ongoing
14             course of treatment; or
15                  (B)  if the  enrollee  has  entered  the  third
16             trimester   of   pregnancy   at   the  time  of  the
17             physician's  disaffiliation,   that   includes   the
18             provision  of  post-partum  care directly related to
19             the delivery.
20             (2)  Notwithstanding the provisions in item  (1)  of
21        this  subsection,  such  care  shall be authorized by the
22        health care plan during the transitional period  only  if
23        the physician agrees:
24                  (A)  to  continue  to accept reimbursement from
25             the health care plan at the rates  applicable  prior
26             to the start of the transitional period;
27                  (B)  to   adhere  to  the  health  care  plan's
28             quality assurance requirements and to provide to the
29             health  care  plan  necessary  medical   information
30             related to  such care; and
31                  (C)  to  otherwise  adhere  to  the health care
32             plan's policies and procedures,  including  but  not
33             limited   to   procedures  regarding  referrals  and
34             obtaining  preauthorizations for treatment.
                            -8-            LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1        (b)  A health care plan shall provide for  continuity  of
 2    care for new enrollees as follows:
 3             (1)  If  a  new  enrollee  whose  physician is not a
 4        member of the health care plan's provider network, but is
 5        within the health care plan's service  area,  enrolls  in
 6        the  health  care plan, the health care plan shall permit
 7        the enrollee to continue an ongoing course  of  treatment
 8        with   the   enrollee's   current   physician   during  a
 9        transitional period:
10                  (A)  of at least 90  days  from  the  effective
11             date  of  enrollment  if the enrollee has an ongoing
12             course of treatment; or
13                  (B)  if the  enrollee  has  entered  the  third
14             trimester  of  pregnancy  at  the  effective date of
15             enrollment,   that   includes   the   provision   of
16             post-partum care directly related to  the  delivery.
17             (2)  If  an  enrollee  elects to continue to receive
18        care from such physician pursuant to  item  (1)  of  this
19        subsection,  such  care shall be authorized by the health
20        care  plan  for  the  transitional  period  only  if  the
21        physician agrees:
22                  (A)  to accept reimbursement  from  the  health
23             care  plan  at  rates established by the health care
24             plan; such rates shall be the level of reimbursement
25             applicable to similar physicians within  the  health
26             care plan for such services;
27                  (B)  to   adhere  to  the  health  care  plan's
28             quality assurance requirements and to provide to the
29             health  care  plan  necessary  medical   information
30             related to such care; and
31                  (C)  to  otherwise  adhere  to  the health care
32             plan's policies and procedures  including,  but  not
33             limited   to   procedures  regarding  referrals  and
34             obtaining  preauthorization for treatment.
                            -9-            LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1        (c)  In no event  shall  this  Section  be  construed  to
 2    require  a health care plan to  provide coverage for benefits
 3    not otherwise covered or to diminish or   impair  preexisting
 4    condition limitations contained in the enrollee's  contract.
 5        Section 30.  Restraints on communications prohibited.
 6        (a)  No  health  care  plan  or  its  subcontractors  may
 7    prohibit  or discourage health care providers from discussing
 8    any  alternative  health   care   services   and   providers,
 9    utilization  review and quality assurance policies, terms and
10    conditions  of  plans  and  plan   policy   with   enrollees,
11    prospective enrollees, providers, or the public.
12        (b)  No  health  care plan or its subcontractors shall by
13    contract, policy, or procedure impose any restrictions on the
14    physicians or other  health  care  providers  who  treat  its
15    enrollees as to recommended health care services.
16        (c)  Any  violation  of  this Section shall be subject to
17    the penalties under this Act.
18        Section   35.  Medically    appropriate    health    care
19    protection.
20        (a)  No  health  care  plan  shall  retaliate  against  a
21    physician  or  other  health  care provider who advocates for
22    appropriate health care services for patients.
23        (b)  It is the public policy of  the  State  of  Illinois
24    that  a  physician  or  any  other  health  care  provider be
25    encouraged to advocate for medically appropriate health  care
26    services  for  his  or  her  patients.   For purposes of this
27    Section, "to advocate for medically appropriate  health  care
28    services"  means  to  appeal a decision to deny payment for a
29    health care service pursuant to the reasonable  grievance  or
30    appeal  procedure  established  by  a  health care plan or to
31    protest a decision, policy, or practice that the physician or
32    other health care provider, consistent with  that  degree  of
                            -10-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    learning  and  skill  ordinarily  possessed  by physicians or
 2    other health care providers  practicing  in  the  same  or  a
 3    similar  locality and under similar circumstances, reasonably
 4    believes  impairs  the  physician's  or  other  health   care
 5    provider's   ability   to  provide  appropriate  health  care
 6    services to his or her patients.
 7        (c)  This Section shall not be construed  to  prohibit  a
 8    health care plan from making a determination not to pay for a
 9    particular  health  care  service  or  to  prohibit a medical
10    group, independent practice association,  preferred  provider
11    organization,  foundation,  hospital  medical staff, hospital
12    governing body or health care plan from enforcing  reasonable
13    peer  review  or  utilization review protocols or determining
14    whether  a  physician  or  other  health  care  provider  has
15    complied with those protocols.
16        (d)  Nothing  in  this  Section  shall  be  construed  to
17    prohibit the governing body of a  hospital  or  the  hospital
18    medical  staff  from  taking  disciplinary  actions against a
19    physician as authorized by law.
20        (e)  Nothing  in  this  Section  shall  be  construed  to
21    prohibit  the  Department  of  Professional  Regulation  from
22    taking disciplinary actions  against  a  physician  or  other
23    health care provider under the appropriate licensing Act.
24        Section 40.  Access to specialists.
25        (a)  All  health care plans that require each enrollee to
26    select a health  care  provider  for  any  purpose  including
27    coordination  of care shall allow all enrollees to choose any
28    primary care physician licensed to practice medicine  in  all
29    its  branches or any other health care provider participating
30    in the health care plan for that  purpose.  The  health  care
31    plan  shall  provide  the  enrollee with a choice of licensed
32    health care providers who are accessible and qualified.
33        (b)  A health care plan shall establish  a  procedure  by
                            -11-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    which  an  enrollee who has a condition that requires ongoing
 2    care  from  a  specialist  physician  or  other  health  care
 3    provider may apply for a standing referral  to  a  specialist
 4    physician  or  other  health care provider if a referral to a
 5    specialist  physician  or  other  health  care  provider   is
 6    required  for  coverage. The application shall be made to the
 7    enrollee's primary  care  physician.  This  procedure  for  a
 8    standing  referral  must  specify  the necessary criteria and
 9    conditions that must be met  in  order  for  an  enrollee  to
10    obtain  a  standing  referral.  A  standing referral shall be
11    effective for a period of up to  one  year.  A  primary  care
12    physician may renew a standing referral.
13        (c)  The enrollee may be required by the health care plan
14    to  select  a  specialist  physician  or  other  health  care
15    provider  who  has a referral arrangement with the enrollee's
16    primary care physician  or  to  select  a  new  primary  care
17    physician  who has a referral arrangement with the specialist
18    physician  or  other  health  care  provider  chosen  by  the
19    enrollee.  If a health care  plan  requires  an  enrollee  to
20    select a new physician under this subsection, the health care
21    plan  must provide the enrollee with both options provided in
22    this subsection.
23        (d)  When the  type  of  specialist  physician  or  other
24    health  care  provider  needed  to provide ongoing care for a
25    specific condition is not  represented  in  the  health  care
26    plan's  provider  network,  the  primary care physician shall
27    arrange for the  enrollee  to  have  access  to  a  qualified
28    non-participating  health  care  provider within a reasonable
29    distance and travel time.
30        (e)  The enrollee's primary care physician  shall  remain
31    responsible  for coordinating the care of an enrollee who has
32    received a standing referral to  a  specialist  physician  or
33    other  health  care  provider.  If  a  secondary  referral is
34    necessary, the specialist  physician  or  other  health  care
                            -12-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    provider  shall  advise  the  primary  care  physician.   The
 2    primary  care  physician  shall be responsible for making the
 3    secondary referral. In addition, the health care  plan  shall
 4    require   the  specialist  physician  or  other  health  care
 5    provider to provide regular updates to the enrollee's primary
 6    care physician.
 7        (f)  If an enrollee's application  for  any  referral  is
 8    denied,  an  enrollee  may  appeal  the  decision through the
 9    health care plan's medical necessity second  opinion  process
10    in accordance with Section 45 of this Act.
11        Section 45.  Medical necessity; second opinion.  A health
12    care  plan shall provide a mechanism for the timely review by
13    a physician or other health care provider  holding  the  same
14    class  of  license as the patient's physician or other health
15    care provider, who is unaffiliated with the health care plan,
16    jointly selected by the patient (or the patient's next of kin
17    or legal representative if the patient is unable to  act  for
18    himself),  the  patient's  physician  or  other  health  care
19    provider,  and the health care plan in the event of a dispute
20    between the patient's physician or other health care provider
21    and the health care plan regarding the medical necessity of a
22    service or a referral. If the reviewing  physician  or  other
23    health  care  provider determines the service to be medically
24    necessary or the referral to be appropriate, the health  care
25    plan  shall  pay  for  the  service.   Future  contractual or
26    employment action by  the  health  care  plan  regarding  the
27    patient's  physician  or other health care provider shall not
28    be based solely on  the  physician's  or  other  health  care
29    provider's participation in this procedure.
30        Section 50.  Choosing a physician.
31        (a)  A health care plan may also offer other arrangements
32    under  which  enrollees  may access health care services from
                            -13-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    contracted providers without a referral or authorization from
 2    their primary care physician.
 3        (b)  The enrollee may be required by the health care plan
 4    to  select  a  specialist  physician  or  other  health  care
 5    provider who has a referral arrangement with  the  enrollee's
 6    primary  care  physician  or  to  select  a  new primary care
 7    physician who has a referral arrangement with the  specialist
 8    physician  or  other  health  care  provider  chosen  by  the
 9    enrollee.    If  a  health  care plan requires an enrollee to
10    select a new physician under this subsection, the health care
11    plan must provide the enrollee with both options provided  in
12    this subsection.
13        (c)  The  Director  of  Insurance  and  the Department of
14    Public Health each may promulgate rules to ensure appropriate
15    access to and quality of care for enrollees in any plan  that
16    allows   enrollees   to  access  health  care  services  from
17    contractual providers without  a  referral  or  authorization
18    from  the primary care physician.  The rules may include, but
19    shall not be limited to,  a  system  for  the  retrieval  and
20    compilation of enrollees' medical records.
21        Section 55. Emergency services prior to stabilization.
22        (a)  A health care plan that provides or that is required
23    by  law  to  provide  coverage  for  emergency services shall
24    provide coverage such that payment under this coverage is not
25    dependent upon whether the services are performed by  a  plan
26    or  non-plan health care provider and without regard to prior
27    authorization. This coverage shall be  at  the  same  benefit
28    level  as  if  the services or treatment had been rendered by
29    the health care plan provider.
30        (b)  Prior authorization or approval by  the  plan  shall
31    not be required for emergency services.
32        (c)  Payment  shall  not  be retrospectively denied, with
33    the following exceptions:
                            -14-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1             (1)  upon   reasonable   determination   that    the
 2        emergency services claimed were never performed;
 3             (2)  upon    determination    that   the   emergency
 4        evaluation and treatment were rendered to an enrollee who
 5        sought emergency services and whose circumstance did  not
 6        meet the definition of emergency medical condition;
 7             (3)  upon  determination  that the patient receiving
 8        such services was not an  enrollee  of  the  health  care
 9        plan; or
10             (4)  upon material misrepresentation by the enrollee
11        or  health  care  provider;  "material"  means  a fact or
12        situation that is not  merely  technical  in  nature  and
13        results  or  could  result in a substantial change in the
14        situation.
15        (d)  When an enrollee  presents  to  a  hospital  seeking
16    emergency  services, the determination as to whether the need
17    for those services exists  shall  be  made  for  purposes  of
18    treatment  by  a  physician  or,  to  the extent permitted by
19    applicable law, by  other  appropriately  licensed  personnel
20    under  the supervision of a physician. The physician or other
21    appropriate personnel shall indicate in the  patient's  chart
22    the results of the emergency medical screening examination.
23        (e)  The  appropriate  use of the 911 emergency telephone
24    system or its local equivalent shall not  be  discouraged  or
25    penalized  by  the health care plan when an emergency medical
26    condition exists. This provision shall not imply that the use
27    of 911 or its local equivalent is a factor in determining the
28    existence of an emergency medical condition.
29        (f)  The medical director's  or  his  or  her  designee's
30    determination  of  whether the enrollee meets the standard of
31    an emergency medical condition shall be based solely upon the
32    presenting symptoms documented in the medical record  at  the
33    time care was sought.
34        (g)  Nothing   in   this   Section   shall  prohibit  the
                            -15-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    imposition of deductibles, co-payments, and co-insurance.
 2        Section 60. Post-stabilization medical services.
 3        (a) If prior authorization for covered post-stabilization
 4    services is required by the health care plan, the plan  shall
 5    provide  access  24  hours  a  day,  7 days a week to persons
 6    designated by the plan to make such determinations.
 7        (b) The treating health care provider shall  contact  the
 8    health  care  plan or delegated provider as designated on the
 9    enrollee's health insurance  card  to  obtain  authorization,
10    denial, or arrangements for an alternate plan of treatment or
11    transfer of the enrollee.
12        (c)  The  treating health care provider shall document in
13    the  enrollee's  medical  record  the  enrollee's  presenting
14    symptoms; emergency medical condition; and time, phone number
15    dialed, and result  of  the  communication  for  request  for
16    authorization  of  post  stabilization  medical services. The
17    health care plan  shall  provide  reimbursement  for  covered
18    post-stabilization medical services if:
19             (1)  authorization  to  render them is received from
20        the  health  care  plan  or  its  delegated  health  care
21        provider, or
22             (2)  after 2  documented  good  faith  efforts,  the
23        treating  health  care  provider has attempted to contact
24        the enrollee's health care plan or its  delegated  health
25        care  provider,  as  designated  on the enrollee's health
26        insurance    card,    for    prior    authorization    of
27        post-stabilization medical services and neither the  plan
28        nor   designated   persons   were   accessible   or   the
29        authorization  was  not  denied  within 60 minutes of the
30        request. Two documented  good  faith  efforts  means  the
31        health  care  provider has called the telephone number on
32        the enrollee's health insurance card or  other  available
33        number  either 2 times or one time and an additional call
                            -16-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1        to any referral number provided. Good faith means honesty
 2        of purpose, freedom from intention to defraud, and  being
 3        faithful  to one's duty or obligation. For the purpose of
 4        this Act, good faith shall be presumed.
 5        (d)  After  rendering  any   post-stabilization   medical
 6    services, the treating health care provider shall continue to
 7    make  every reasonable effort to contact the health care plan
 8    or   its   delegated   health   care    provider    regarding
 9    authorization,  denial, or arrangements for an alternate plan
10    of treatment or transfer of the enrollee until  the  treating
11    health  care  provider  receives instructions from the health
12    care plan or delegated health  care  provider  for  continued
13    care  or  the  care  is  transferred  to  another health care
14    provider or the patient is discharged.
15        (e)  Payment for covered post-stabilization services  may
16    be denied:
17             (1)  if  the  treating health care provider does not
18        meet the conditions outlined in subsection (c);
19             (2)  upon determination that the  post-stabilization
20        services claimed were not performed;
21             (3)  upon  determination that the post-stabilization
22        services rendered were contrary to  the  instructions  of
23        the  health  care  plan  or  its  delegated  health  care
24        provider  if contact was made between those parties prior
25        to the service being rendered;
26             (4)  upon determination that the  patient  receiving
27        such  services  was  not  an  enrollee of the health care
28        plan; or
29             (5)  upon material misrepresentation by the enrollee
30        or health care  provider;  "material"  means  a  fact  or
31        situation  that  is  not  merely  technical in nature and
32        results or could result in a substantial  change  in  the
33        situation.
34        (f)  Nothing in this Section prohibits a health care plan
                            -17-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    from  delegating  tasks  associated with the responsibilities
 2    enumerated  in  this  Section  to  the  health  care   plan's
 3    contracted health care providers or an other entity.
 4        (g)  Coverage  and payment for post-stabilization medical
 5    services for which prior authorization or deemed approval  is
 6    received shall not be retrospectively denied.
 7        (h)  Nothing   in   this   Section   shall  prohibit  the
 8    imposition of deductibles, co-payments, and co-insurance.
 9        Section 65.  Consumer advisory committee.
10        (a)  A  health  care  plan  shall  establish  a  consumer
11    advisory committee.  The consumer  advisory  committee  shall
12    have  the  authority to identify and review consumer concerns
13    and make advisory recommendations to the  health  care  plan.
14    The  health  care plan may also make requests of the consumer
15    advisory committee to provide feedback to proposed changes in
16    plan policies and procedures  which  will  affect  enrollees.
17    However,  the  consumer advisory committee shall not have the
18    authority  to  hear  or  resolve   specific   complaints   or
19    grievances,  but  instead  shall  refer  such  complaints  or
20    grievances to the health care plan's grievance committee.
21        (b)  The   health  care  plan  shall  randomly  select  8
22    enrollees meeting the requirements of this Section  to  serve
23    on  the  consumer advisory committee.  Upon initial formation
24    of the consumer advisory  committee,  the  health  care  plan
25    shall appoint 4 enrollees to a 2 year term and 4 enrollees to
26    a  one year term.  Thereafter, as an enrollee's term expires,
27    the health care plan shall re-appoint or appoint an  enrollee
28    to  serve  on  the  consumer  advisory committee for a 2 year
29    term. Members of the consumer  advisory  committee  shall  by
30    majority  vote  elect  a  member of the committee to serve as
31    chair of the committee.
32        (c)  An enrollee may not serve on the  consumer  advisory
33    committee  if  during  the  2  years  preceding  service  the
                            -18-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    enrollee:
 2             (1)  has  been  an employee, officer, or director of
 3        the plan, an affiliate of the  plan,  or  a  provider  or
 4        affiliate  of  a  provider  that  furnishes  health  care
 5        services to the plan or affiliate of the plan; or
 6             (2)  is  a  relative  of  a person specified in item
 7        (1).
 8        (d)  A health care  plan's  consumer  advisory  committee
 9    shall meet not less than quarterly.
10        (e)  All  meetings  shall  be  held  within  the State of
11    Illinois.  The costs of the meetings shall be  borne  by  the
12    health care plan.
13        Section 70.  Quality assessment program.
14        (a)  A  health  care  plan  shall develop and implement a
15    quality  assessment  and  improvement  strategy  designed  to
16    identify and evaluate accessibility, continuity, and  quality
17    of care.  The health care plan shall have:
18             (1)  an    ongoing,    written,   internal   quality
19        assessment program;
20             (2)  specific written guidelines for monitoring  and
21        evaluating  the  quality  and appropriateness of care and
22        services provided to enrollees requiring the health  care
23        plan to assess:
24                  (A)  the    accessibility    to   health   care
25             providers;
26                  (B)  appropriateness of utilization;
27                  (C)  concerns identified  by  the  health  care
28             plan's   medical   or   administrative   staff   and
29             enrollees; and
30                  (D)  other aspects of care and service directly
31             related to the improvement of quality of care;
32             (3)  a  procedure  for  remedial  action  to correct
33        quality problems that have been  verified  in  accordance
                            -19-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1        with   the   written  plan's  methodology  and  criteria,
 2        including  written  procedures  for  taking   appropriate
 3        corrective action;
 4             (4)  follow-up  measures implemented to evaluate the
 5        effectiveness of the action plan.
 6        (b)  The health care plan  shall  establish  a  committee
 7    that oversees the quality assessment and improvement strategy
 8    which includes physician and enrollee participation.
 9        (c)  Reports   on   quality  assessment  and  improvement
10    activities shall be made to the governing body of the  health
11    care plan not less than quarterly.
12        (d)  The  health  care  plan  shall  make  available  its
13    written  description of the quality assessment program to the
14    Department of Public Health.
15        (e)  With the exception of subsection (d), the Department
16    of Public Health shall accept evidence of accreditation  with
17    regard  to  the  health  care  network quality management and
18    performance improvement standards of:
19             (1)  the National Commission  on  Quality  Assurance
20        (NCQA);
21             (2)  the     American    Accreditation    Healthcare
22        Commission (URAC);
23             (3)  the  Joint  Commission  on   Accreditation   of
24        Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO); or
25             (4)  any  other  entity  that the Director of Public
26        Health deems has substantially similar or more  stringent
27        standards than provided for in this Section.
28        Section 75.  Complaints.
29        (a)  A  health  care  plan shall establish and maintain a
30    complaint  system   providing   reasonable   procedures   for
31    resolving  complaints  initiated  by  enrollees (complainant)
32    which  shall  provide  for  an  expedited  review  of   cases
33    involving  imminent  threat  to  the  health  of an enrollee.
                            -20-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    Nothing in  this  Act  shall  be  construed  to  preclude  an
 2    enrollee  from  filing  a complaint with the Department or as
 3    limiting the Department's ability to investigate  complaints.
 4    In  addition,  any  enrollee  not  satisfied  with the plan's
 5    resolution of  any  complaint  may  appeal  that  final  plan
 6    decision to the Department.
 7        (b)  When   a   complaint  against  a  health  care  plan
 8    (respondent) is received by the  Department,  the  respondent
 9    shall be notified of the complaint.  The Department shall, in
10    its  notification,  specify  the  date when a report is to be
11    received from the respondent, which shall be no later than 21
12    days after notification is sent to the respondent.  A failure
13    to reply by the date specified may be followed by  a  collect
14    telephone  call  or  collect telegram.  Repeated instances of
15    failing to reply by the date specified may result in  further
16    regulatory action.
17        (c)  The   respondent's   report  shall  supply  adequate
18    documentation that explains all actions taken  or  not  taken
19    and  that were the basis for the complaint.  The report shall
20    include  documents  necessary  to  support  the  respondent's
21    position and any information requested by the Department. The
22    respondent's reply  shall  be  in  duplicate,  but  duplicate
23    copies  of  supporting  documents shall not be required.  The
24    respondent's reply shall include the name, telephone  number,
25    and  address  of  the  individual  assigned to investigate or
26    process the complaint.   The  Department  shall  respect  the
27    confidentiality  of  medical reports and other documents that
28    by law are confidential.  Any other information furnished  by
29    a respondent shall be marked "confidential" if the respondent
30    does not wish it to be released to the complainant.
31        (d)  The  Department  shall  review  the plan decision to
32    determine whether it is consistent with the plan and Illinois
33    law and rules.
34        (e)  Upon  receipt  of  the  respondent's   report,   the
                            -21-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    Department shall evaluate the material submitted; and
 2             (1)  advise  the complainant of the action taken and
 3        disposition of its complaint;
 4             (2) pursue further investigation with respondent  or
 5        complainant; or
 6             (3)   refer   the   investigation   report   to  the
 7        appropriate branch  within  the  Department  for  further
 8        regulatory action.
 9        (f)  The  Department  of  Insurance and the Department of
10    Public Health  shall  coordinate  the  complaint  review  and
11    investigation  process.   The Department of Insurance and the
12    Department of Public Health  shall  jointly  establish  rules
13    under  the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act implementing
14    this complaint process.
15        Section 80.  Record of complaints.
16        (a)  The Department shall maintain records concerning the
17    complaints  filed  against  health  care   plans   with   the
18    Department  and  shall  require health care plans to annually
19    report complaints made to  and  resolutions  by  health  care
20    plans  in  a manner determined by rule.  The Department shall
21    make a summary of all data collected available  upon  request
22    and publish the summary on the World Wide Web.
23        (b)  The  Department shall maintain records on the number
24    of complaints filed against each health care plan.
25        (c)  The Department shall  maintain  records  classifying
26    each complaint by whether the complaint was filed by:
27             (1)  a consumer or enrollee;
28             (2)  a provider; or
29             (3)  any other individual.
30        (d)  The  Department  shall  maintain records classifying
31    each complaint according to the nature of the complaint as it
32    pertains to a specific function of the health care plan.  The
33    complaints  shall   be   classified   under   the   following
                            -22-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    categories:
 2             (1)  denial of care or treatment;
 3             (2)  denial of a diagnostic procedure;
 4             (3)  denial of a referral request;
 5             (4)  sufficient  choice  and accessibility of health
 6        care providers;
 7             (5)  underwriting;
 8             (6)  marketing and sales;
 9             (7)  claims and utilization review;
10             (8)  member services;
11             (9)  provider relations; and
12             (10)  miscellaneous.
13        (e)  The Department shall  maintain  records  classifying
14    the  disposition  of  each complaint.  The disposition of the
15    complaint  shall  be  classified  in  one  of  the  following
16    categories:
17             (1)  complaint referred to the health care plan  and
18        no further action necessary by the Department;
19             (2)  no  corrective  action  deemed necessary by the
20        Department; or
21             (3)  corrective action taken by the Department.
22        (f)  No Department publication or release of  information
23    shall   identify  any  enrollee,  health  care  provider,  or
24    individual complainant.
25        Section 85.  Utilization review program registration.
26        (a)  No person may conduct a utilization  review  program
27    in  this State unless once every 2 years the person registers
28    the  utilization  review  program  with  the  Department  and
29    certifies compliance  with  all  of  the  Health  Utilization
30    Management Standards of the American Accreditation Healthcare
31    Commission (URAC) or submits evidence of accreditation by the
32    American  Accreditation  Healthcare Commission (URAC) for its
33    Health Utilization Management Standards.
                            -23-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1        (b)  In addition, the  Director  of  the  Department,  in
 2    consultation  with  the  Director of the Department of Public
 3    Health, may certify alternative utilization review  standards
 4    of  national accreditation organizations or entities in order
 5    for plans to  comply  with  this  Section.   Any  alternative
 6    utilization  review  standards  shall  meet  or  exceed those
 7    standards required under subsection (a).
 8        (c)  The provisions of this Section do not apply to:
 9             (1)  persons providing  utilization  review  program
10        services only to the federal government;
11             (2)  self-insured  health  plans  under  the federal
12        Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, however,
13        this  Section  does  apply  to   persons   conducting   a
14        utilization  review  program  on  behalf  of these health
15        plans;
16             (3)  hospitals   and   medical   groups   performing
17        utilization  review  activities  for  internal   purposes
18        unless the utilization on review program is conducted for
19        another person.
20        Nothing in this Act prohibits a health care plan or other
21    entity  from  contractually requiring an entity designated in
22    item (3) of this subsection  to  adhere  to  the  utilization
23    review program requirements of this Act.
24        (d)  This registration shall include submission of all of
25    the   following   information  regarding  utilization  review
26    program activities:
27             (1)  The  name,  address,  and  telephone   of   the
28        utilization review programs.
29             (2)  The organization and governing structure of the
30        utilization review programs.
31             (3)  The  number  of  lives  for  which  utilization
32        review is conducted by each utilization review program.
33             (4)  Hours  of  operation of each utilization review
34        program.
                            -24-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1             (5)  Description of the grievance process  for  each
 2        utilization review program.
 3             (6)  Number  of  covered lives for which utilization
 4        review was conducted for the previous calendar  year  for
 5        each utilization review program.
 6             (7)  Written  policies and procedures for protecting
 7        confidential information according  to  applicable  State
 8        and federal laws for each utilization review program.
 9        (e)  If  the  Department  finds that a utilization review
10    program  is  not  in  compliance  with  this   Section,   the
11    Department  shall  issue a corrective action plan and allow a
12    reasonable amount of time for compliance with the plan.    If
13    the utilization review program does not come into compliance,
14    the  Department  may  issue a cease and desist order.  Before
15    issuing a cease and desist  order  under  this  Section,  the
16    Department  shall provide the utilization review program with
17    a written notice of the reasons for the  order  and  allow  a
18    reasonable  amount  of  time to supply additional information
19    demonstrating compliance with requirements  of  this  Section
20    and  to  request a hearing.  The hearing notice shall be sent
21    by certified mail, return receipt requested, and the  hearing
22    shall   be   conducted   in   accordance  with  the  Illinois
23    Administrative Procedure Act.
24        (f)  A utilization review program subject to a corrective
25    action  may  continue  to  conduct  business  until  a  final
26    decision has been issued by the Department.
27        Section 90.  Prohibited activity.  No health care plan by
28    contract, written policy,  or  procedure  shall  contain  any
29    clause  attempting  to  transfer  or transferring to a health
30    care provider by indemnification or otherwise, any  liability
31    relating  to  activities, actions, or omissions of the health
32    care plan or its officers, employees, or agents as opposed to
33    those of the health care provider.
                            -25-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1        Section  95. Prohibition of waiver of rights.  No  health
 2    care plan or contract shall contain any provision, policy, or
 3    procedure that limits, restricts, or waives any of the rights
 4    set forth in this Act.  Any such policy or procedure shall be
 5    void and unenforceable.
 6        Section   100.  Administration   and   enforcement.   The
 7    Director  of Insurance may adopt rules necessary to implement
 8    the Department's responsibilities under this Act.
 9        To enforce the provisions of this Act, the  Director  may
10    issue  a cease and desist order or require a health care plan
11    to submit a plan of correction for violations of this Act, or
12    both.   Subject   to   the   provisions   of   the   Illinois
13    Administrative Procedure Act,  the  Director  may  impose  an
14    administrative fine on a health care plan of up to $5,000 for
15    failure  to submit a requested plan of correction, failure to
16    comply with its plan of correction, or repeated violations of
17    the Act.
18        Section 105.  Applicability and scope.  This Act  applies
19    to  policies  and  contracts  amended,  delivered, issued, or
20    renewed on or after the effective date of this Act. This  Act
21    does   not   diminish   a   health  care  plan's  duties  and
22    responsibilities under other federal or State  law  or  rules
23    promulgated thereunder.
24        Section   110.  Effect   on   benefits   under   Workers'
25    Compensation  Act  and  Workers'  Occupational  Diseases Act.
26    Nothing in this Act shall be construed to expand, modify,  or
27    restrict the health care benefits provided to employees under
28    the  Workers'  Compensation  Act  and  Workers'  Occupational
29    Diseases Act.
30        Section  115.  Severability.   The provisions of this Act
                            -26-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.
 2        Section 200.  The State Employees Group Insurance Act  of
 3    1971 is amended by adding Section 6.12 as follows:
 4        (5 ILCS 375/6.12 new)
 5        Sec. 6.12.  Managed Care Patient Rights Act.  The program
 6    of  health  benefits  is  subject  to  the  provisions of the
 7    Managed Care Patient Rights Act.
 8        Section 205.  The State Mandates Act is amended by adding
 9    Section 8.22 as follows:
10        (30 ILCS 805/8.22 new)
11        Sec. 8.22. Exempt mandate.   Notwithstanding  Sections  6
12    and  8 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required
13    for  the  implementation  of  any  mandate  created  by  this
14    amendatory Act of 1998.
15        Section 210.  The Counties  Code  is  amended  by  adding
16    Section 5-1069.8 as follows:
17        (55 ILCS 5/5-1069.8 new)
18        Sec.  5-1069.8.   Managed  Care  Patient Rights Act.  All
19    counties, including home rule counties, are  subject  to  the
20    provisions  of  the  Managed  Care  Patient  Rights Act.  The
21    requirement under this  Section  that  health  care  benefits
22    provided  by  counties  comply  with the Managed Care Patient
23    Rights Act is an exclusive power and function  of  the  State
24    and  is  a  denial  and limitation of home rule county powers
25    under Article VII, Section 6, subsection (h) of the  Illinois
26    Constitution.
27        Section  215.  The  Illinois Municipal Code is amended by
                            -27-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    adding 10-4-2.8 as follows:
 2        (65 ILCS 5/10-4-2.8 new)
 3        Sec. 10-4-2.8.  Managed Care  Patient  Rights  Act.   The
 4    corporate  authorities  of  all municipalities are subject to
 5    the provisions of the Managed Care Patients Rights Act.   The
 6    requirement  under  this  Section  that  health care benefits
 7    provided by  municipalities  comply  with  the  Managed  Care
 8    Patient  Rights Act is an exclusive power and function of the
 9    State  and  is  a  denial  and  limitation   of   home   rule
10    municipality  powers under Article VII, Section 6, subsection
11    (h) of the Illinois Constitution.
12        Section 220.  The Illinois Insurance Code is  amended  by
13    changing  Sections  155.36  and 370g and adding Sections 370s
14    and 511.118 as follows:
15        (215 ILCS 5/155.36 new)
16        Sec. 155.36.  Managed Care Patient Rights Act.  Insurance
17    companies that transact the  kinds  of  insurance  authorized
18    under  Class  1(b)  or  Class  2(a) of Section 4 of this Code
19    shall comply with Sections 80 and 85 and  the  definition  of
20    the  term  "emergency medical condition" in Section 10 of the
21    Managed Care Patients Rights Act.
22        (215 ILCS 5/370g) (from Ch. 73, par. 982g)
23        Sec. 370g.  Definitions.  As used in  this  Article,  the
24    following definitions apply:
25        (a)  "Health care services" means health care services or
26    products  rendered  or sold by a provider within the scope of
27    the provider's license  or  legal  authorization.   The  term
28    includes, but is not limited to, hospital, medical, surgical,
29    dental, vision and pharmaceutical services or products.
30        (b)  "Insurer"  means  an  insurance  company or a health
                            -28-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    service  corporation  authorized  in  this  State  to   issue
 2    policies or subscriber contracts which reimburse for expenses
 3    of health care services.
 4        (c)  "Insured"    means   an   individual   entitled   to
 5    reimbursement for expenses of health care  services  under  a
 6    policy  or  subscriber  contract issued or administered by an
 7    insurer.
 8        (d)  "Provider"  means  an  individual  or  entity   duly
 9    licensed   or  legally  authorized  to  provide  health  care
10    services.
11        (e)  "Noninstitutional   provider"   means   any   person
12    licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987,  as  now  or
13    hereafter amended.
14        (f)  "Beneficiary"   means   an  individual  entitled  to
15    reimbursement for expenses of or  the  discount  of  provider
16    fees  for  health  care  services  under  a program where the
17    beneficiary has an incentive to utilize  the  services  of  a
18    provider  which  has entered into an agreement or arrangement
19    with an administrator.
20        (g)  "Administrator" means  any  person,  partnership  or
21    corporation,  other  than  an  insurer  or health maintenance
22    organization holding a certificate  of  authority  under  the
23    "Health  Maintenance  Organization  Act", as now or hereafter
24    amended,  that  arranges,  contracts  with,  or   administers
25    contracts  with a provider whereby beneficiaries are provided
26    an incentive to use the services of such provider.
27        (h)  "Emergency  medical  condition"  means   a   medical
28    condition  manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient
29    severity  (including  severe  pain)  such  that   a   prudent
30    layperson,  who  possesses an average knowledge of health and
31    medicine, could reasonably expect the  absence  of  immediate
32    medical attention to result in:
33             (1)  placing  the health of the individual (or, with
34        respect to a pregnant woman, the health of the  woman  or
                            -29-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1        her unborn child) in serious jeopardy;
 2             (2)  serious impairment to bodily functions; or
 3             (3)  serious  dysfunction  of  any  bodily  organ or
 4        part. "Emergency" means an accidental  bodily  injury  or
 5        emergency medical condition which reasonably requires the
 6        beneficiary  or  insured  to  seek immediate medical care
 7        under circumstances  or  at  locations  which  reasonably
 8        preclude the beneficiary or insured from obtaining needed
 9        medical care from a preferred provider.
10    (Source: P.A. 88-400.)
11        (215 ILCS 5/370s new)
12        Sec.   370s.  Managed  Care  Patients  Rights  Act.   All
13    administrators shall comply with Sections 80 and  85  of  the
14    Managed Care Patients Rights Act.
15        (215 ILCS 5/511.118 new)
16        Sec.  511.118.  Managed  Care  Patients  Rights Act.  All
17    administrators are subject to the provisions of  Sections  80
18    and 85 of the Managed Care Patients Act.
19        Section 225.  The Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act
20    is amended by adding Section 8.6 as follows:
21        (215 ILCS 105/8.6 new)
22        Sec.  8.6.  Managed Care Patient Rights Act.  The plan is
23    subject to the provisions of the Managed Care Patient  Rights
24    Act.
25        Section  230.   The  Health  Care Purchasing Group Act is
26    amended by changing Sections 15 and 20 as follows:
27        (215 ILCS 123/15)
28        Sec. 15.   Health  care  purchasing  groups;  membership;
                            -30-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    formation.
 2        (a)  An  HPG  may  be an organization formed by 2 or more
 3    employers with no more than 500 covered employees each  2,500
 4    covered  individuals,  an  HPG  sponsor  or a risk-bearer for
 5    purposes of contracting for health insurance under  this  Act
 6    to  cover  employees  and  dependents of HPG members.  An HPG
 7    shall not be prevented from  supplementing  health  insurance
 8    coverage purchased under this Act by contracting for services
 9    from  entities licensed and authorized in Illinois to provide
10    those services under the Dental Service Plan Act, the Limited
11    Health Service Organization Act, Vision Service Plan Act,  or
12    Voluntary  Health  Services  Plans  Act.    An  HPG  may be a
13    separate legal  entity  or  simply  a  group  of  2  or  more
14    employers  with no more than 500 covered employees each 2,500
15    covered individuals aggregated  under  this  Act  by  an  HPG
16    sponsor  or  risk-bearer for insurance purposes.  There shall
17    be no limit as to the number of HPGs that may operate in  any
18    geographic area of the State.  No insurance risk may be borne
19    or  retained  by  the  HPG.   All  health insurance contracts
20    issued to the HPG must be delivered or issued for delivery in
21    Illinois.
22        (b)  Members  of  an  HPG  must  be  Illinois   domiciled
23    employers,  except  that  an employer domiciled elsewhere may
24    become a member of an Illinois HPG for the  sole  purpose  of
25    insuring  its  employees whose place of employment is located
26    within this State.   HPG  membership  may  include  employers
27    having  no more than 500 covered employees each 2,500 covered
28    individuals.
29        (c)  If an HPG is formed by any 2 or more employers  with
30    no  more  than  500  covered  employees  each  2,500  covered
31    individuals,  it is authorized to negotiate, solicit, market,
32    obtain proposals for, and enter into group or  master  health
33    insurance  contracts  on  behalf  of  its  members  and their
34    employees and employee dependents so long as it meets all  of
                            -31-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    the following requirements:
 2             (1)  The  HPG  must  be  an  organization having the
 3        legal capacity to contract and having its legal situs  in
 4        Illinois.
 5             (2)  The   principal  persons  responsible  for  the
 6        conduct  of  the  HPG  must  perform  their  HPG  related
 7        functions in Illinois.
 8             (3)  No HPG may collect premium in its name or  hold
 9        or  manage  premium  or  claim  fund accounts unless duly
10        licensed  and  qualified  as  a  managing  general  agent
11        pursuant to Section 141a of the Illinois  Insurance  Code
12        or  a  third  party  administrator  pursuant  to  Section
13        511.105 of the Illinois Insurance Code.
14             (4)  If the HPG gives an offer, application, notice,
15        or proposal of insurance to an employer, it must disclose
16        to  that employer the total cost of the insurance.  Dues,
17        fees, or charges to be paid to the HPG, HPG  sponsor,  or
18        any  other  entity  as  a  condition  to  purchasing  the
19        insurance  must be itemized.  The HPG shall also disclose
20        to its members the amount of  any  dividends,  experience
21        refunds,  or  other  such  payments  it receives from the
22        risk-bearer.
23             (5)  An HPG must register with the  Director  before
24        entering into a group or master health insurance contract
25        on  behalf of its members and must renew the registration
26        annually on forms and at times prescribed by the Director
27        in rules specifying, at minimum, (i) the identity of  the
28        officers  and directors, trustees, or attorney-in-fact of
29        the HPG; (ii) a certification that those persons have not
30        been convicted of any felony offense involving  a  breach
31        of  fiduciary  duty or improper manipulation of accounts;
32        and (iii) the number of employer members then enrolled in
33        the HPG, together with any other information that may  be
34        needed to carry out the purposes of this Act.
                            -32-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1             (6)  At  the  time  of initial registration and each
 2        renewal thereof an HPG shall pay a fee  of  $100  to  the
 3        Director.
 4        (d)  If an HPG is formed by an HPG sponsor or risk-bearer
 5    and the HPG performs no marketing, negotiation, solicitation,
 6    or  proposing  of  insurance  to  HPG  members,  exclusive of
 7    ministerial acts performed by individual employers to service
 8    their own employees, then a group or master health  insurance
 9    contract  may be issued in the name of the HPG and held by an
10    HPG  sponsor,  risk-bearer,  or  designated  employer  member
11    within the  State.   In  these  cases  the  HPG  requirements
12    specified in subsection (c) shall not be applicable, however:
13             (1)  the  group  or master health insurance contract
14        must contain a provision permitting the  contract  to  be
15        enforced  through  legal action initiated by any employer
16        member or by an employee of an HPG member  who  has  paid
17        premium for the coverage provided;
18             (2)  the  group  or master health insurance contract
19        must be available for inspection and copying by  any  HPG
20        member,  employee,  or  insured dependent at a designated
21        location within the State at all normal  business  hours;
22        and
23             (3)  any   information   concerning  HPG  membership
24        required by rule under item (5) of subsection (c) must be
25        provided by the  HPG  sponsor  in  its  registration  and
26        renewal  forms  or  by  the  risk-bearer  in  its  annual
27        reports.
28    (Source: P.A. 90-337, eff. 1-1-98; revised 1-21-98.)
29        (215 ILCS 123/20)
30        Sec. 20.  HPG sponsors. Except as provided by Sections 15
31    and  25  of  this  Act,  only a corporation authorized by the
32    Secretary of State  to  transact  business  in  Illinois  may
33    sponsor  one  or  more  HPGs with no more than 100,000 10,000
                            -33-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    covered individuals by negotiating, soliciting, or  servicing
 2    health insurance contracts for HPGs and their members. Such a
 3    corporation  may  assert  and maintain authority to act as an
 4    HPG  sponsor  by  complying  with  all   of   the   following
 5    requirements:
 6             (1)  The    principal    officers    and   directors
 7        responsible for the  conduct  of  the  HPG  sponsor  must
 8        perform their HPG sponsor related functions in Illinois.
 9             (2)  No  insurance  risk may be borne or retained by
10        the HPG sponsor; all health insurance contracts issued to
11        HPGs  through  the  HPG  sponsor  must  be  delivered  in
12        Illinois.
13             (3)  No HPG sponsor may collect premium in its  name
14        or  hold  or manage premium or claim fund accounts unless
15        duly qualified and licensed as a managing  general  agent
16        pursuant  to  Section 141a of the Illinois Insurance Code
17        or as a third party  administrator  pursuant  to  Section
18        511.105 of the Illinois Insurance Code.
19             (4)  If the HPG gives an offer, application, notice,
20        or proposal of insurance to an employer, it must disclose
21        the  total  cost of the insurance. Dues, fees, or charges
22        to be paid to the HPG, HPG sponsor, or any  other  entity
23        as  a  condition  to  purchasing  the  insurance  must be
24        itemized.  The HPG shall also disclose to its members the
25        amount of any dividends,  experience  refunds,  or  other
26        such payments it receives from the risk-bearer.
27             (5)  An  HPG sponsor must register with the Director
28        before  negotiating or soliciting  any  group  or  master
29        health  insurance contract for any HPG and must renew the
30        registration annually on forms and at times prescribed by
31        the Director in rules specifying,  at  minimum,  (i)  the
32        identity of the officers and directors of the HPG sponsor
33        corporation; (ii) a certification that those persons have
34        not  been  convicted  of  any  felony offense involving a
                            -34-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1        breach of fiduciary  duty  or  improper  manipulation  of
 2        accounts;  (iii)  the  number  of  employer  members then
 3        enrolled in each HPG sponsored; (iv) the  date  on  which
 4        each  HPG  was  issued a group or master health insurance
 5        contract, if any; and (v) the date  on  which  each  such
 6        contract, if any, was terminated.
 7             (6)  At  the  time  of initial registration and each
 8        renewal thereof an HPG sponsor shall pay a fee of $100 to
 9        the Director.
10    (Source: P.A. 90-337, eff. 1-1-98.)
11        Section 235.  The Health Maintenance Organization Act  is
12    amended  by  changing Sections 2-2 and 6-7 and adding Section
13    5-3.6 as follows:
14        (215 ILCS 125/2-2) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1404)
15        Sec. 2-2.  Determination by Director; Health  Maintenance
16    Advisory Board.
17        (a)  Upon  receipt  of  an  application for issuance of a
18    certificate of authority, the Director shall transmit  copies
19    of   such  application  and  accompanying  documents  to  the
20    Director of the Illinois Department  of  Public  Health.  The
21    Director  of  the  Department  of  Public  Health  shall then
22    determine whether the applicant for certificate of authority,
23    with respect to health care services to be furnished: (1) has
24    demonstrated the willingness and potential ability to  assure
25    that such health care service will be provided in a manner to
26    insure   both  availability  and  accessibility  of  adequate
27    personnel  and  facilities  and   in   a   manner   enhancing
28    availability,  accessibility,  and continuity of service; and
29    (2)  has  arrangements,  established   in   accordance   with
30    regulations  promulgated  by  the Department of Public Health
31    for an ongoing  quality  of  health  care  assurance  program
32    concerning   health   care   processes   and  outcomes.  Upon
                            -35-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1    investigation, the  Director  of  the  Department  of  Public
 2    Health  shall  certify  to  the Director whether the proposed
 3    Health Maintenance Organization  meets  the  requirements  of
 4    this  subsection  (a).  If  the Director of the Department of
 5    Public  Health  certifies   that   the   Health   Maintenance
 6    Organization  does  not  meet  such  requirements,  he  shall
 7    specify in what respect it is deficient.
 8        There  is  created  in  the Department of Public Health a
 9    Health Maintenance Advisory Board  composed  of  11  members.
10    Nine  9 members shall who have practiced in the health field,
11    4 of which shall have been or are currently affiliated with a
12    Health Maintenance Organization. Two of the members shall  be
13    members  of  the general public, one of whom is over 50 years
14    of age.  Each member shall be appointed by  the  Director  of
15    the  Department of Public Health and serve at the pleasure of
16    that Director and shall receive no compensation for  services
17    rendered  other  than  reimbursement  for  expenses. Six Five
18    members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. A vacancy  in
19    the  membership  of  the  Advisory Board shall not impair the
20    right of a quorum to exercise  all  rights  and  perform  all
21    duties  of  the  Board. The Health Maintenance Advisory Board
22    has the power to review and comment  on  proposed  rules  and
23    regulations   to  be  promulgated  by  the  Director  of  the
24    Department of  Public  Health  within  30  days  after  those
25    proposed  rules  and  regulations  have been submitted to the
26    Advisory Board.
27        (b)  Issuance of a  certificate  of  authority  shall  be
28    granted if the following conditions are met:
29             (1)  the  requirements  of subsection (c) of Section
30        2-1 have been fulfilled;
31             (2)  the persons responsible for the conduct of  the
32        affairs  of the applicant are competent, trustworthy, and
33        possess  good  reputations,  and  have  had   appropriate
34        experience, training or education;
                            -36-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1             (3)  the Director of the Department of Public Health
 2        certifies  that  the  Health  Maintenance  Organization's
 3        proposed plan of operation meets the requirements of this
 4        Act;
 5             (4)  the  Health  Care  Plan  furnishes basic health
 6        care services on a prepaid basis,  through  insurance  or
 7        otherwise,   except   to   the   extent   of   reasonable
 8        requirements for co-payments or deductibles as authorized
 9        by this Act;
10             (5)  the    Health   Maintenance   Organization   is
11        financially responsible and may reasonably be expected to
12        meet  its  obligations  to  enrollees   and   prospective
13        enrollees;  in  making  this  determination, the Director
14        shall consider:
15                  (A)  the financial soundness of the applicant's
16             arrangements for health  services  and  the  minimum
17             standard   rates,   co-payments  and  other  patient
18             charges used in connection therewith;
19                  (B)  the adequacy  of  working  capital,  other
20             sources    of    funding,    and    provisions   for
21             contingencies; and
22                  (C)  that no certificate of authority shall  be
23             issued  if  the  initial  minimum  net  worth of the
24             applicant is less than $2,000,000. The  initial  net
25             worth  shall  be  provided in cash and securities in
26             combination and form acceptable to the Director;
27             (6)  the agreements with providers for the provision
28        of health services contain  the  provisions  required  by
29        Section 2-8 of this Act; and
30             (7)  any  deficiencies  identified  by  the Director
31        have been corrected.
32    (Source: P.A. 86-620; 86-1475.)
33        (215 ILCS 125/5-3.6 new)
                            -37-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1        Sec. 5-3.6.   Managed Care Patient  Rights  Act.   Health
 2    maintenance  organizations  are  subject to the provisions of
 3    the Managed Care Patient Rights Act.
 4        (215 ILCS 125/6-7) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1418.7)
 5        Sec. 6-7.  Board of Directors.  The board of directors of
 6    the Association consists of not less than 7 5 nor  more  than
 7    11  9  members  serving  terms  as established in the plan of
 8    operation.  The members of the board are to  be  selected  by
 9    member organizations subject to the approval of the Director,
10    except  the  Director  shall  name  2 members who are current
11    enrollees, one of whom is over 50 years of age.  Vacancies on
12    the board must be filled for the remaining period of the term
13    in the manner described in the plan of operation.  To  select
14    the  initial  board  of directors, and initially organize the
15    Association, the Director must  give  notice  to  all  member
16    organizations  of  the  time  and place of the organizational
17    meeting.  In determining voting rights at the  organizational
18    meeting  each  member organization is entitled to one vote in
19    person or by  proxy.   If  the  board  of  directors  is  not
20    selected  at  the  organizational  meeting,  the Director may
21    appoint the initial members.
22        In approving selections or in appointing members  to  the
23    board,   the  Director  must  consider,  whether  all  member
24    organizations are fairly represented.
25        Members of the board may be reimbursed from the assets of
26    the Association for expenses incurred by them as  members  of
27    the  board  of  directors  but  members  of the board may not
28    otherwise  be  compensated  by  the  Association  for   their
29    services.
30    (Source: P.A. 85-20.)
31        Section 240.  The Limited Health Service Organization Act
32    is amended by adding Section 4002.6 as follows:
                            -38-           LRB9002705JSdvam01
 1        (215 ILCS 130/4002.6 new)
 2        Sec.  4002.6.  Managed  Care  Patient Rights Act.  Except
 3    for health care plans offering only dental services  or  only
 4    vision  services,  limited  health  service organizations are
 5    subject to the provisions of the Managed Care Patient  Rights
 6    Act.
 7        Section  245.  The Voluntary Health Services Plans Act is
 8    amended by adding Section 15.30 as follows:
 9        (215 ILCS 165/15.30 new)
10        Sec. 15.30.  Managed Care Patient Rights Act.   A  health
11    service  plan corporation is subject to the provisions of the
12    Managed Care Patient Rights Act.
13        Section 250.  The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended  by
14    adding Section 5-16.12 as follows:
15        (305 ILCS 5/5-16.12 new)
16        Sec.  5-16.12.   Managed  Care  Patient  Rights Act.  The
17    medical assistance program and other programs administered by
18    the Department are subject to the provisions of  the  Managed
19    Care  Patient  Rights Act.  The Department may adopt rules to
20    implement  those  provisions.   These  rules  shall   require
21    compliance  with  that  Act in the medical assistance managed
22    care  programs  and  other  programs  administered   by   the
23    Department.   The  medical assistance fee-for-service program
24    is not subject to the provisions of the Managed Care  Patient
25    Rights Act.
26        Section  299.   Effective  date.   This  Act takes effect
27    January 1, 1999.".

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