Chapter 415
Oregon Laws 2011
AN ACT
SB 99
Relating to
Oregon Health Insurance Exchange; appropriating money; and declaring an
emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. Definitions. As
used in sections 1 to 11 and 13 to 23 of this 2011 Act:
(1) “Essential health benefits” means
the health care services identified by the United States Secretary of Health
and Human Services pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 18022 or approved by the secretary
pursuant to a waiver granted under 42 U.S.C. 18052.
(2) “Health care service contractor”
has the meaning given that term in ORS 750.005.
(3) “Health insurance” has the meaning
given that term in ORS 731.162, excluding disability income insurance.
(4) “Health insurance exchange” or “exchange”
means an American Health Benefit Exchange as described in 42 U.S.C. 18031,
18032, 18033 and 18041 that is operated by the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange
Corporation.
(5) “Health plan” means health
insurance or health care coverage offered by an insurer.
(6) “Insurer” means an insurer as
defined in ORS 731.106 that offers health insurance, a health care service
contractor or a prepaid managed care health services organization.
(7) “Insurance producer” has the
meaning given that term in ORS 731.104.
(8) “Prepaid managed care health
services organization” has the meaning given that term in ORS 414.736.
(9) “State program” means a program
providing medical assistance, as defined in ORS 414.025, and any health plan
offered through the Public Employees’ Benefit Board or the Oregon Educators
Benefit Board.
SECTION 2. Oregon Health
Insurance Exchange Corporation. (1) The Oregon Health Insurance Exchange
Corporation is established as a public corporation performing governmental
functions and exercising governmental powers. The corporation shall exercise
and carry out statewide all the powers, rights and privileges that are
expressly conferred upon the corporation, are implied by law or are incident to
such powers. Nothing in this section or section 3 or 11 of this 2011 Act is
intended to affect the regulatory responsibilities of the Department of
Consumer and Business Services under the Insurance Code.
(2) The mission of the corporation is
to:
(a) Incorporate the goals of improving
the lifelong health of all Oregonians, increasing the quality, reliability and
availability of health insurance for all Oregonians and lowering or containing
the cost of health insurance so that health insurance is affordable to
everyone.
(b) Administer a health insurance
exchange in the public interest for the benefit of the people and businesses
that obtain health insurance coverage for themselves, their families and their
employees through the exchange.
(c) Empower Oregonians by giving them
the information and tools they need to make health insurance choices that meet
their needs and values.
(d) Improve health care quality and
public health, mitigate health disparities linked to race, ethnicity, primary
language and similar factors, control costs and ensure access to affordable, equitable
and high-quality health care throughout this state.
(e) Be accountable to the public.
(f) Encourage the development of new
health insurance products that offer innovative:
(A) Benefit packages for the coverage
of health care services;
(B) Health care delivery systems; and
(C) Payment mechanisms.
SECTION 3. Oregon Health
Insurance Exchange Corporation duties, powers and functions. (1) The duties
of the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Corporation are to:
(a) Administer a health insurance exchange
in accordance with federal law to make qualified health plans available to
individuals and groups throughout this state.
(b) Provide information in writing,
through an Internet-based clearinghouse and through a toll-free telephone line
that will assist individuals and small businesses in making informed health
insurance decisions, including:
(A) The grade of each health plan as
determined by the corporation and the grading criteria that were used;
(B) Quality and enrollee satisfaction
ratings; and
(C) The comparative costs, benefits,
provider networks of health plans and other useful information.
(c) Establish and make available an
electronic calculator that allows individuals and employers to determine the
cost of coverage after deducting any applicable tax credits or cost-sharing
reduction.
(d) Using procedures approved by the
corporation’s board of directors and adopted by rule by the corporation under
section 11 of this 2011 Act, screen, certify and recertify health plans as
qualified health plans according to federal and state standards and ensure that
qualified health plans provide choices of coverage.
(e) Decertify or suspend, in
accordance with ORS chapter 183, the certification of health plans that fail to
meet federal and state standards in order to exclude them from participation in
the exchange.
(f) Promote fair competition of
carriers participating in the exchange by certifying multiple health plans as
qualified under section 11 of this 2011 Act.
(g) Grade health plans in accordance with
criteria established by the United States Secretary of Health and Human
Services and by the corporation.
(h) Establish open and special
enrollment periods for all enrollees, and monthly enrollment periods for Native
Americans in accordance with federal law.
(i) Assist individuals and groups to
enroll in qualified health plans, including defined contribution plans as
defined in section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code and, if appropriate,
collect and remit premiums for such individuals or groups.
(j) Facilitate community-based
assistance with enrollment in qualified health plans by awarding grants to
entities that are certified as navigators as described in 42 U.S.C. 18031(i).
(k) Provide information to individuals
and employers regarding the eligibility requirements for state medical
assistance programs and assist eligible individuals and families in applying
for and enrolling in the programs.
(L) Provide employers with the names
of employees who end coverage under a qualified health plan during a plan year.
(m) Certify the eligibility of an
individual for an exemption from the individual responsibility requirement of
section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code.
(n) Provide information to the federal
government necessary for individuals who are enrolled in qualified health plans
through the exchange to receive tax credits and reduced cost-sharing.
(o) Provide to the federal government:
(A) Information regarding individuals
determined to be exempt from the individual responsibility requirement of section
5000A of the Internal Revenue Code;
(B) Information regarding employees
who have reported a change in employer;
(C) Information regarding individuals
who have ended coverage during a plan year; and
(D) Any other information necessary to
comply with federal requirements.
(p) Take any other actions necessary
and appropriate to comply with the federal requirements for a health insurance
exchange.
(q) Work in coordination with the
Oregon Health Authority, the Oregon Health Policy Board and the Department of
Consumer and Business Services in carrying out its duties.
(2) The corporation may sue and be
sued.
(3) The corporation may:
(a) Acquire, lease, rent, own and
manage real property.
(b) Construct, equip and furnish
buildings or other structures as are necessary to accommodate the needs of the
corporation.
(c) Purchase, rent, lease or otherwise
acquire for the corporation’s use all supplies, materials, equipment and
services necessary to carry out the corporation’s duties.
(d) Sell or otherwise dispose of any
property acquired under this subsection.
(4) Any real property acquired and
owned by the corporation under this section shall be subject to ad valorem
taxation.
(5) The corporation may adopt rules
necessary to carry out its mission, duties and functions.
SECTION 4. Board of directors;
appointment; membership; removal of members. (1) The Oregon Health
Insurance Exchange Corporation shall be governed by a board of directors
consisting of two ex officio members and seven members who are appointed by the
Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate in the manner prescribed by
ORS 171.562 and 171.565.
(2) The ex officio voting members of
the board are:
(a) The Director of the Oregon Health
Authority or the director’s designee; and
(b) The Director of the Department of
Consumer and Business Services or the director’s designee.
(3)(a) The term of office of each
member who is not an ex officio member is four years. The Governor may remove
any member at any time for incompetence, neglect of duty or malfeasance in
office, after notice and a hearing that shall be open to the public, but the
Governor may not remove more than three members within any four-year period
except for corrupt conduct in office.
(b) Before the expiration of the term
of a member who is not an ex officio member, the Governor shall appoint a
successor whose term begins on January 1 next following. A member who is not an
ex officio member is eligible for no more than two reappointments. If there is
a vacancy for any cause, the Governor shall make an appointment to become
immediately effective for the unexpired term.
(4) The members who are not ex officio
members must be individuals who:
(a) Are United States citizens and
residents of the State of Oregon;
(b) Have demonstrated professional and
community leadership skills and experience;
(c) To the greatest extent
practicable, represent the geographic, ethnic, gender, racial and economic
diversity of this state; and
(d) Subject to subsections (5) and (6)
of this section, collectively offer expertise, knowledge and experience in
individual insurance purchasing, business, finance, sales, health benefits
administration, individual and small group health insurance and use of the
health insurance exchange.
(5) No more than two of the members
who are not ex officio members may be individuals who are:
(a) Employed by, consultants to or
members of a board of directors of:
(A) An insurer or third party
administrator;
(B) An insurance producer; or
(C) A health care provider, health
care facility or health clinic;
(b) Members, board members or
employees of a trade association of:
(A) Insurers or third party
administrators; or
(B) Health care providers, health care
facilities or health clinics; or
(c) Health care providers, unless they
receive no compensation for rendering services as health care providers and do
not have ownership interests in professional health care practices.
(6)(a) At least two of the members who
are not ex officio members shall be consumer members.
(b) One consumer member must be an
individual consumer purchasing a qualified health plan through the exchange.
(c) One consumer member must be a
small business employer purchasing a qualified health plan through the
exchange.
(7) The board of directors shall adopt
a formal business plan for the corporation, which shall include a plan for
developing metrics to measure customer service and provider satisfaction, and
shall establish the policies for the operation of the exchange, consistent with
state and federal law.
SECTION 5. Transition and
implementation. (1) Notwithstanding the term of office specified by section
4 of this 2011 Act, of the members first appointed to the Oregon Health
Insurance Exchange Corporation board of directors who are not ex officio members:
(a) Two shall serve for terms ending
December 31, 2013.
(b) Two shall serve for terms ending
December 31, 2014.
(c) Three shall serve for terms ending
on the earlier of four years after appointment or December 31, 2015.
(2) Notwithstanding section 4 (6) of
this 2011 Act, until qualified health plans become available for purchase
through the health insurance exchange, the consumer members shall be
individuals or small business employers that will be eligible under section 11
(1) of this 2011 Act to purchase qualified health plans through the exchange.
One of the consumer members shall serve for one of the terms ending December
31, 2013, and one shall serve for one of the terms ending December 31, 2014.
(3) Notwithstanding section 6 (1) of
this 2011 Act, the Governor shall select from the membership of the board the
chairperson and the vice chairperson, who shall serve for the first two years
of the board’s operation.
(4) Notwithstanding section 9 of this
2011 Act, the Governor may appoint an interim executive director of the
corporation, who may serve for a period of no more than 120 days.
(5) The President of the Senate, the
Senate Minority Leader, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the
House Minority Leader shall each select one member from their respective
chambers to serve on a committee that will provide advice to and legislative
oversight of the corporation during the implementation of the corporation and
the exchange. In the event that there are Co-Presidents or Co-Speakers, each
Co-President or Co-Speaker shall select one member to serve on the committee.
The committee may:
(a) Recommend individuals for
nomination to the board;
(b) Review the development of the
formal business plan of the corporation, including proposals developed by the
staff of the corporation or the Oregon Health Authority to be presented to the
board; and
(c) Advise the corporation and the
Oregon Health Authority on any other matters concerning the implementation of
the health insurance exchange.
(6) The Oregon Health Authority shall
regularly report to the Legislative Fiscal Office on the implementation of an
information technology system for the exchange, including:
(a) The business case for the project;
(b) Requirements analyses;
(c) Any requests for proposals and
statements of work;
(d) The project charter;
(e) The project work plan or schedule;
(f) The project financial plan;
(g) The hiring of the quality
assurance contractor; and
(h) All quality assurance reports.
(7) The corporation shall report the
information described in subsection (6) of this section to the appropriate
interim committees of the Legislative Assembly no later than October 3, 2011,
and to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means during the 2012 regular session of
the Legislative Assembly.
(8) The corporation shall deliver and
report to the appropriate interim committees and to the Joint Committee on Ways
and Means before the convening of the 2012 regular session of the Legislative
Assembly:
(a) The formal business plan adopted
by the board of directors of the corporation; or
(b) If the board has not adopted the
formal business plan, the draft business plan to be considered or under
consideration by the board.
(9) No later than February 1, 2012,
the corporation shall deliver to the Legislative Assembly the formal business
plan adopted by the board in accordance with section 4 (7) of this 2011 Act.
SECTION 6. Meetings of board.
(1) The Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Corporation board of directors shall
select one of its members as chairperson and another as vice chairperson, for
such terms and with duties and powers necessary for the performance of the
functions of those offices as the board determines.
(2) A majority of the members of the
board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
(3) The board shall meet at least once
every three months at a place, day and hour determined by the board. The board
shall meet at such other times and places specified by the call of the
chairperson or of a majority of the members of the board.
(4)(a) Whenever a member of the board
has a conflict of interest on an issue that is before the board, the member
shall declare to the board the nature of the conflict and the declaration shall
be recorded in the official records of the board. The member may participate in
any discussion on the issue but may not vote on the issue.
(b) As used in this subsection:
(A) “Business” has the meaning given
that term in ORS 244.020.
(B) “Business with which the member or
the member’s relative is associated” has the meaning given the term “business
with which the person is associated” in ORS 244.020.
(C) “Conflict of interest” means that
by taking any action or making any decision or recommendation on an issue, the
member, the member’s relative, or any business with which the member or the
member’s relative is associated, would receive a private pecuniary benefit or
detriment, unless the pecuniary benefit or detriment would affect to the same
degree a class consisting of all consumers of or payers for health care in this
state.
(5) A member of the board is entitled
to compensation and expenses as provided in ORS 292.495, subject to the
availability of funds in the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Fund.
(6) ORS 192.610 to 192.690 apply to
the board, to the Individual and Employer Consumer Advisory Committee
established by section 7 of this 2011 Act and to any advisory and technical
committees established by the board under section 8 of this 2011 Act.
SECTION 7. Individual and
Employer Consumer Advisory Committee. (1) The Oregon Health Insurance
Exchange Corporation board of directors shall establish an Individual and
Employer Consumer Advisory Committee for the purpose of facilitating input from
a variety of stakeholders on issues related to the duties of the corporation,
the operation of the health insurance exchange and related issues. The board
shall determine the membership, terms and organization of the committee and
shall appoint the members. Members of the committee shall be representative of:
(a) Individuals and employers that
purchase health plans through the exchange;
(b) Individuals who enroll in state
medical assistance through the exchange;
(c) Racial and ethnic minorities in
this state;
(d) All geographic regions of this
state; and
(e) Organizations that help
individuals to enroll in health plans through the exchange, including insurance
producers and advocates for hard-to-reach populations.
(2) Members of the committee who are
not members of the board are not entitled to compensation, but at the
discretion of the board may be reimbursed from funds available to the board for
actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred by them in the
performance of their official duties, in the manner and amount provided in ORS
292.495.
SECTION 8. Authority of board
to establish advisory and technical committees. (1) In addition to the
Individual and Employer Consumer Advisory Committee established under section 7
of this 2011 Act, the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Corporation board of
directors may establish such advisory and technical committees as the board
considers necessary to aid and advise the board in the performance of the board’s
functions. These committees may be continuing or temporary committees. The
board shall determine the representation, membership, terms and organization of
the committees and shall appoint the members of the committees. In lieu of
establishing an advisory or technical committee, the board may directly solicit
input and assistance from insurance producers that assist small businesses,
carriers that offer qualified health plans through the exchange and health care
professionals.
(2) Members of the committees who are
not members of the board are not entitled to compensation, but at the
discretion of the board may be reimbursed from funds available to the board for
actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred by them in the
performance of their official duties, in the manner and amount provided in ORS
292.495.
SECTION 9. Executive director;
appointment; functions. (1) The Oregon Health Insurance Exchange
Corporation is under the supervision of an executive director appointed by the
corporation board of directors. The executive director serves at the pleasure
of the board. The executive director shall be paid a salary as prescribed by
the board.
(2) Before assuming the duties of the
office, the executive director shall:
(a) Give to the state a fidelity bond,
with one or more corporate sureties authorized to do business in this state, in
a penal sum prescribed by the Director of the Oregon Department of
Administrative Services, but not less than $50,000. The premium for the bond
shall be paid from the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Fund.
(b) Subscribe to an oath that the
executive director faithfully and impartially will discharge the duties of the
office and that the executive director will support the Constitution of the
United States and the Constitution of the State of Oregon. The executive
director shall file a copy of the signed oath with the Secretary of State.
(3) The executive director may
establish a line of credit under ORS 293.214 and has such other powers as are
necessary to carry out the duties of the corporation, subject to policy
direction by the board.
(4) The executive director may employ,
supervise and terminate the employment of such staff as the executive director
deems necessary. The executive director shall prescribe their duties and fix
their compensation, in accordance with the personnel policies adopted by the
board. Employees of the corporation may not be individuals who are:
(a) Employed by, consultants to or
members of a board of directors of:
(A) An insurer or third party
administrator;
(B) An insurance producer; or
(C) A health care provider, health
care facility or health clinic;
(b) Members, board members or
employees of a trade association of:
(A) Insurers or third party
administrators; or
(B) Health care providers, health care
facilities or health clinics; or
(c) Health care providers, unless they
receive no compensation for rendering services as health care providers and do
not have ownership interests in professional health care practices.
(5) The board shall adopt personnel
policies, subject to ORS 236.605 to 236.640, for any transferred public employees.
The board may elect to provide for participation in a health benefit plan
available to state employees pursuant to ORS 243.105 to 243.285 and may elect
to participate in the state deferred compensation plan established under ORS
243.401 to 243.507. If the board so elects, employees of the corporation shall
be considered eligible employees for purposes of ORS 243.105 to 243.285 and
eligible state employees for purposes of ORS 243.401 to 243.507.
(6) With respect to the Public
Employees Retirement System, employees of the corporation shall be considered
employees for purposes of ORS chapter 238 and eligible employees for purposes
of ORS chapter 238A.
(7) Employees of the corporation may
participate in collective bargaining in accordance with ORS 243.650 to 243.782.
SECTION 10. Operational
assistance by the Oregon Health Authority. (1) The Oregon Health Authority
shall provide staff and resources and take actions the authority deems
necessary or appropriate to develop and assist in the organization and
implementation of the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Corporation and to
ensure compliance with the requirements for an American Health Benefit Exchange
under 42 U.S.C. 18031, 18032, 18033 and 18041 and other applicable federal
laws.
(2) The authority may apply for and
accept federal grants, other federal funds and grants from nongovernmental
organizations for purposes of developing and implementing the health insurance
exchange and carrying out the functions and duties described in subsection (1)
of this section. Moneys received by the authority under this section are
continuously appropriated to the authority for purposes of this section.
SECTION 11. Operations of the
health insurance exchange. (1) The following individuals and groups may
purchase qualified health plans through the health insurance exchange:
(a) Beginning January 1, 2014,
individuals and employers with no more than 50 employees.
(b) Beginning January 1, 2016,
employers with 51 to 100 employees.
(2)(a) Only individuals who purchase
health plans through the exchange may be eligible to receive premium tax
credits under section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code and reduced cost-sharing
under 42 U.S.C. 18071.
(b) Only employers that purchase
health plans through the exchange may be eligible to receive small employer
health insurance credits under section 45R of the Internal Revenue Code.
(3) Only an insurer that has a
certificate of authority to transact insurance in this state and that meets
applicable federal requirements for participating in the exchange may offer a
qualified health plan through the exchange. Any qualified health plan must be
certified under subsection (4) of this section. Prepaid managed care health
services organizations that do not have a certificate of authority to transact
insurance may serve only medical assistance recipients through the exchange and
may not offer qualified health plans.
(4) The Oregon Health Insurance
Exchange Corporation shall adopt by rule uniform requirements, standards and
criteria for the certification of qualified health plans, including
requirements that a qualified health plan provide, at a minimum, essential
health benefits and have acceptable consumer and provider satisfaction ratings.
The corporation may limit the number of qualified health plans that may be
offered through the exchange as long as the same limit applies to all insurers.
(5) Notwithstanding subsection (4) of
this section, the corporation shall certify as qualified a dental only health
plan as permitted by federal law.
(6) The corporation shall establish
one streamlined and seamless application and enrollment process for both the
exchange and the state medical assistance program.
(7) The corporation, in collaboration
with the appropriate state authorities, may establish risk mediation programs
within the exchange.
(8) The corporation shall establish by
rule a process for certifying insurance producers to facilitate the transaction
of insurance through the exchange, in accordance with federal standards and
policies.
(9) The corporation shall ensure, as
required by federal laws, that an insurer charges the same premiums for plans
sold through the exchange as for identical plans sold outside of the exchange.
(10) The corporation is authorized to
enter into contracts for the performance of duties, functions or operations of
the exchange, including but not limited to contracting with:
(a) All insurers that meet the
requirements of subsections (3) and (4) of this section, to offer qualified
health plans through the exchange; and
(b) Navigators certified by the
corporation under section 3 of this 2011 Act.
(11) The corporation is authorized to
apply for and accept federal grants, other federal funds and grants from
nongovernmental organizations for purposes of developing, implementing and
administering the exchange. Moneys received under this subsection shall be
deposited in and credited to the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Fund
established under section 18 of this 2011 Act.
SECTION 12. Section 11 of this 2011
Act is amended to read:
Sec. 11. (1) [The following individuals and groups] Individuals
and employers with no more than 100 employees may purchase qualified health
plans through the health insurance exchange[:].
[(a)
Beginning January 1, 2014, individuals and employers with no more than 50
employees.]
[(b)
Beginning January 1, 2016, employers with 51 to 100 employees.]
(2)(a) Only individuals who purchase
health plans through the exchange may be eligible to receive premium tax
credits under section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code and reduced cost-sharing
under 42 U.S.C. 18071.
(b) Only employers that purchase
health plans through the exchange may be eligible to receive small employer
health insurance credits under section 45R of the Internal Revenue Code.
(3) Only an insurer that has a
certificate of authority to transact insurance in this state and that meets
applicable federal requirements for participating in the exchange may offer a
qualified health plan through the exchange. Any qualified health plan must be
certified under subsection (4) of this section. Prepaid managed care health
services organizations that do not have a certificate of authority to transact
insurance may serve only medical assistance recipients through the exchange and
may not offer qualified health plans.
(4) The Oregon Health Insurance
Exchange Corporation shall adopt by rule uniform requirements, standards and
criteria for the certification of qualified health plans, including
requirements that a qualified health plan provide, at a minimum, essential
health benefits and have acceptable consumer and provider satisfaction ratings.
The corporation may limit the number of qualified health plans that may be
offered through the exchange as long as the same limit applies to all insurers.
(5) Notwithstanding subsection (4) of
this section, the corporation shall certify as qualified a dental only health
plan as permitted by federal law.
(6) The corporation shall establish
one streamlined and seamless application and enrollment process for both the
exchange and the state medical assistance program.
(7) The corporation, in collaboration
with the appropriate state authorities, may establish risk mediation programs
within the exchange.
(8) The corporation shall establish by
rule a process for certifying insurance producers to facilitate the transaction
of insurance through the exchange, in accordance with federal standards and
policies.
(9) The corporation shall ensure, as
required by federal laws, that an insurer charges the same premiums for plans
sold through the exchange as for identical plans sold outside of the exchange.
(10) The corporation is authorized to
enter into contracts for the performance of duties, functions or operations of
the exchange, including but not limited to contracting with:
(a) Insurers that meet the
requirements of subsections (3) and (4) of this section, to offer qualified
health plans through the exchange; and
(b) Navigators certified by the
corporation under section 3 of this 2011 Act.
(11) The corporation is authorized to
apply for and accept federal grants, other federal funds and grants from
nongovernmental organizations for purposes of developing, implementing and
administering the exchange. Moneys received under this subsection shall be
deposited in and credited to the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Fund
established under section 18 of this 2011 Act.
SECTION 13. Federal law
compliance. (1) To the extent that there is any conflict between sections 1
to 11 and 13 to 23 of this 2011 Act and the Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act, P.L. 111-148, as amended by the Health Care and Education
Reconciliation Act of 2010, P.L. 111-152, the federal law in effect on the date
the Legislative Assembly enacts sections 1 to 11 and 13 to 23 of this 2011 Act
controls.
(2) In all cases where federally
granted funds are involved and the applicable federal laws, rules and
regulations conflict with any provision of sections 1 to 11 and 13 to 23 of
this 2011 Act, or require additional conditions not required under state statute,
the applicable federal requirement governs.
SECTION 14. Information
required by the exchange. (1)(a) The Oregon Health Insurance Exchange
Corporation shall adopt by rule the information that must be documented in
order for a person to qualify for:
(A) Health plan coverage through the
health insurance exchange;
(B) Premium tax credits; and
(C) Cost-sharing reductions.
(b) The documentation specified by the
corporation under this subsection shall include but is not limited to
documentation of:
(A) The identity of the person;
(B) The status of the person as a
United States citizen, or lawfully admitted noncitizen, and a resident of this
state;
(C) Information concerning the income
and resources of the person as necessary to establish the person’s financial
eligibility for coverage, for premium tax credits and for cost-sharing
reductions, which may include income tax return information and a Social
Security number; and
(D) Employer identification
information and employer-sponsored health insurance coverage information
applicable to the person.
(2) The corporation shall adopt by
rule the information that must be documented in order to determine whether the
person is exempt from a requirement to purchase or be enrolled in a health plan
under section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code or other federal law.
(3) The corporation shall implement
systems that provide electronic access to, and use, disclosure and validation
of data needed to administer the duties, functions and operation of the
corporation, to comply with federal data access and data exchange requirements
and to streamline and simplify processes of the corporation.
(4) Information and data that the
corporation obtains under this section may be exchanged with other state or
federal health insurance exchanges, with state or federal agencies and, subject
to section 15 of this 2011 Act, for the purpose of carrying out exchange
responsibilities, including but not limited to:
(a) Establishing and verifying
eligibility for:
(A) A state medical assistance
program;
(B) The purchase of health plans
through the exchange; and
(C) Any other programs that are
offered through the exchange;
(b) Establishing and verifying the
amount of a person’s federal tax credit, cost-sharing reduction or premium assistance;
(c) Establishing and verifying
eligibility for exemption from the requirement to purchase or be enrolled in a
health plan under section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code or other federal
law;
(d) Complying with other federal
requirements; or
(e) Improving the operations of the
exchange and other programs administered by the corporation and for program
analysis.
SECTION 15. Information that is
confidential or not subject to disclosure; public officer privilege; permitted
uses of confidential information. (1) Except as provided in subsection (3)
of this section, documents, materials or other information that is in the
possession or control of the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Corporation for
the purpose of carrying out sections 3, 11 and 14 of this 2011 Act or complying
with federal health insurance exchange requirements, and that is protected from
disclosure by state or federal law, remains confidential and is not subject to
disclosure under ORS 192.410 to 192.505 or subject to subpoena or discovery or
admissible into evidence in any private civil action in which the corporation
is not a named party. The executive director of the corporation may use
confidential documents, materials or other information without further
disclosure in order to carry out the duties described in sections 3, 11 and 14
of this 2011 Act or to take any legal or regulatory action authorized by law.
(2) Documents, materials and other
information to which subsection (1) of this section applies is subject to the
public officer privilege described in ORS 40.270.
(3) In order to assist in the
performance of the executive director’s duties, the executive director may:
(a) Authorize the sharing of
confidential documents, materials or other information that is subject to subsection
(1) of this section within the corporation and subject to any conditions on
further disclosure, for the purpose of carrying out the duties and functions of
the corporation or complying with federal health insurance exchange
requirements.
(b) Authorize the sharing of
confidential documents, materials or other information that is subject to
subsection (1) of this section or that is otherwise confidential under ORS
192.501 or 192.502 with other state or federal health insurance exchanges or
regulatory authorities, the Oregon Health Authority, the Department of Consumer
and Business Services, law enforcement agencies and federal authorities, if
required or authorized by state or federal law and if the recipient agrees to
maintain the confidentiality of the documents, materials or other information.
(c) Receive documents, materials or
other information, including documents, materials or other information that is
otherwise confidential, from other state or federal health insurance exchanges
or regulatory authorities, the Oregon Health Authority, the Department of
Consumer and Business Services, law enforcement agencies or federal
authorities. The executive director shall maintain the confidentiality
requested by the sender of the documents, materials or other information
received under this section as necessary to comply with the laws of the
jurisdiction from which the documents, materials or other information was
received and originated.
(4) The disclosure of documents,
materials or other information to the executive director under this section, or
the sharing of documents, materials or other information as authorized in
subsection (3) of this section, does not waive any applicable privileges or
claims of confidentiality in the documents, materials or other information.
(5) This section does not prohibit the
executive director from releasing to a database or other clearinghouse service
maintained by federal authorities a final, adjudicated order, including a
certification, recertification, suspension or decertification of a qualified
health plan under section 3 of this 2011 Act, if the order is otherwise subject
to public disclosure.
SECTION 16. Agreements with
other agencies regarding sharing and use of confidential information; contents.
(1) The executive director of the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Corporation
may enter into agreements governing the sharing and use of information
consistent with this section and section 15 of this 2011 Act with other state
or federal health insurance exchanges or regulatory authorities, the Oregon
Health Authority, the Department of Consumer and Business Services, law
enforcement agencies or federal authorities.
(2) An agreement under this section
must specify the duration of the agreement, the purpose of the agreement, the
methods that may be employed for terminating the agreement and any other
necessary and proper matters.
(3) An agreement under this section
does not relieve the executive director of any obligation or responsibility
imposed by law.
(4) The executive director may expend
funds and may supply services for the purpose of carrying out an agreement
under this section.
(5) Agreements under this section are
exempt from ORS 190.410 to 190.440 and 190.480 to 190.490.
SECTION 17. Charges and fees.
(1) The Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Corporation board of directors shall
establish, and the corporation shall impose and collect, an administrative
charge from all insurers and state programs participating in the health
insurance exchange in an amount sufficient to cover the costs of grants to
navigators certified under section 3 of this 2011 Act and to pay the
administrative and operational expenses of the corporation in carrying out
sections 1 to 11 and 13 to 23 of this 2011 Act. The charge shall be paid in a
manner and at intervals prescribed by the board and shall be deposited in the
Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Fund established in section 18 of this 2011
Act.
(2) Each insurer’s charge shall be
based on the number of individuals, excluding individuals enrolled in state
programs, who are enrolled in health plans offered by the insurer through the
exchange. The assessment on each state program shall be based on the number of
individuals enrolled in state programs offered through the exchange. The charge
may not exceed:
(a) Five percent of the premium or
other monthly charge for each enrollee if the number of enrollees receiving
coverage through the exchange is at or below 175,000;
(b) Four percent of the premium or
other monthly charge for each enrollee if the number of enrollees receiving
coverage through the exchange is above 175,000 and at or below 300,000; and
(c) Three percent of the premium or
other monthly charge for each enrollee if the number of enrollees receiving
coverage through the exchange is above 300,000.
(3) If charges collected under
subsection (1) of this section exceed the amounts needed for the administrative
and operational expenses of the corporation, the excess moneys collected shall
be held and invested and, with the earnings and interest, used by the
corporation to offset future net losses or reduce the administrative costs of
the corporation. The maximum amount of excess moneys that may be held under
this subsection is the total administrative and operational expenses anticipated
by the corporation for a six-month period. Any moneys received that exceed the
maximum shall be applied by the corporation to reduce the charges imposed by
this section.
(4) Charges shall be based on annual
statements and other reports deemed necessary by the corporation and filed by
an insurer or state program with the exchange.
(5) In addition to charges imposed
under subsection (1) of this section, to the extent permitted by federal law
the corporation may impose a fee on insurers and state programs participating
in the exchange to cover the cost of commissions of insurance producers that
are certified by the corporation to facilitate the participation of individuals
and employers in the exchange.
(6) The board shall establish the
charges and fees under this section in accordance with ORS 183.310 to 183.410
and in such a manner that will reasonably and substantially accomplish the
objective of subsections (1) and (5) of this section.
SECTION 18. Oregon Health
Insurance Exchange Fund. The Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Fund
is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General
Fund. Interest earned by the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Fund shall be
credited to the fund. The Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Fund consists of
moneys received by the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Corporation through
premiums or the imposition of fees under section 17 of this 2011 Act and moneys
received as grants under section 11 of this 2011 Act. Moneys in the fund are
continuously appropriated to the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Corporation
for carrying out the purposes of sections 1 to 11 and 13 to 23 of this 2011
Act.
SECTION 19. Oregon Health
Insurance Exchange Corporation exempt from certain laws; contracts with state
agencies for services. (1) Except as otherwise provided by law, the
provisions of ORS 279.835 to 279.855 and ORS chapters 240, 276, 279A, 279B,
279C, 282, 283, 291, 292 and 293 do not apply to the Oregon Health Insurance
Exchange Corporation.
(2) In carrying out the duties,
functions and powers imposed by law upon the corporation, the corporation board
of directors or the executive director of the corporation may contract with any
state agency or other qualified person or entity for the performance of such
duties, functions and powers as the board or executive director considers
appropriate.
(3) ORS 30.210 to 30.250, 30.260 to
30.300, 30.310, 30.312, 30.390 and 30.400 apply to the members of the board,
the executive director and employees of the corporation.
(4) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of
this section, ORS 293.235, 293.240, 293.245, 293.260, 293.262, 293.611, 293.625
and 293.630 apply to the accounts of the corporation.
(5) Notwithstanding subsections (1)
and (2) of this section, ORS 243.305, 279A.100 and 659A.012 apply to the
members of the board, executive director and employees of the corporation.
SECTION 20. Criminal records
check; fingerprints required; persons subject to requirement. The Oregon
Health Insurance Exchange Corporation shall conduct a state or nationwide
criminal records check under ORS 181.534 on, and for that purpose may require
the fingerprints of a person who:
(1) Is employed by or applying for
employment with the corporation; or
(2) Is, or will be, providing services
to the corporation in a position:
(a) In which the person is providing
information technology services and has control over, or access to, information
technology systems that would allow the person to harm the information
technology systems or the information contained in the systems;
(b) In which the person has access to
information that is confidential or for which state or federal laws, rules or
regulations prohibit disclosure;
(c) That has payroll functions or in
which the person has responsibility for receiving, receipting or depositing
money or negotiable instruments, for billing, collections or other financial
transactions or for purchasing or selling property or has access to property
held in trust or to private property in the temporary custody of the corporation;
(d) That has mailroom duties as a
primary duty or job function;
(e) In which the person has
responsibility for auditing the corporation;
(f) That has personnel or human
resources functions as a primary responsibility;
(g) In which the person has access to
Social Security numbers, dates of birth or criminal background information; or
(h) In which the person has access to
tax or financial information about individuals or business entities.
SECTION 21. Financial and
performance audits of Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Corporation and Oregon
Health Insurance Exchange Fund; report of audit. (1) The Oregon Health
Insurance Exchange Corporation shall keep an accurate accounting of the
operation and all activities, receipts and expenditures of the corporation and
the health insurance exchange.
(2) Beginning after the first 12
months of the operation of the exchange and every 12 months thereafter, the
Secretary of State shall conduct a financial audit of the corporation and the
fund pursuant to ORS 297.210, which shall include but is not limited to:
(a) A review of the sources and uses
of the moneys in the fund;
(b) A review of charges and fees
imposed and collected pursuant to section 17 of this 2011 Act; and
(c) A review of premiums collected and
remitted.
(3) Beginning after the first 24
months of the operation of the exchange and every two years thereafter, the
Secretary of State shall conduct a performance audit of the corporation and the
exchange.
(4) The corporation board of
directors, the executive director of the corporation and employees of the
corporation shall cooperate with the Secretary of State in the audits and
reviews conducted under subsections (2) and (3) of this section.
(5) The audits shall be conducted
using generally accepted accounting principles and any financial integrity
requirements of federal authorities.
(6) The cost of the audits required by
subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall be paid by the corporation.
(7) The Secretary of State shall issue
a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House
of Representatives, the Oregon Health Authority, the Oregon Health Policy
Board, the Department of Consumer and Business Services and appropriate federal
authorities on the results of each audit conducted pursuant to this section,
including any recommendations for corrective actions. The report shall be
available for public inspection, in accordance with the Secretary of State’s
established rules and procedures governing public disclosure of audit documents.
(8) To the extent the audit
requirements under this section are similar to any audit requirements imposed
on the corporation by federal authorities, the Secretary of State and the
corporation shall make reasonable efforts to coordinate with the federal
authorities to promote efficiency and the best use of resources in the timing
and provision of information.
(9) Not later than the 90th day after
the Secretary of State completes and delivers an audit report issued under
subsection (7) of this section, the corporation shall notify the Secretary of
State in writing of the corrective actions taken or to be taken, if any, in
response to any recommendations in the report. The Secretary of State may
extend the 90-day period for good cause.
SECTION 22. Quarterly and
annual reports. (1) The executive director of the Oregon Health Insurance
Exchange Corporation shall report to the Legislative Assembly each calendar
quarter on:
(a) The financial condition of the
health insurance exchange, including actual and projected revenues and expenses
of the administrative operations of the exchange and commissions paid to
insurance producers out of fees collected under section 17 (5) of this 2011
Act;
(b) The implementation of the business
plan adopted by the corporation board of directors;
(c) The development of the information
technology system for the exchange; and
(d) Any other information requested by
the leadership of the Legislative Assembly.
(2) The corporation board of directors
shall provide to the Legislative Assembly, the Governor, the Oregon Health
Authority, the Oregon Health Policy Board and the Department of Consumer and
Business Services, not later than April 15 of each year:
(a) A report covering the activities
and operations of the corporation during the previous year of operations;
(b) A statement of the financial
condition of the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Fund as of December 31 of the
previous year;
(c) A description of the role of
insurance producers in the exchange; and
(d) Recommendations, if any, for
additional groups to be eligible to purchase qualified health plans through the
exchange under section 11 of this 2011 Act.
SECTION 23. Complaints and
investigations confidential; permitted disclosures. (1) A complaint made to
the executive director of the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Corporation with
respect to any prospective or certified qualified health plan, and the record
thereof, shall be confidential and may not be disclosed except as provided in
sections 15 and 16 of this 2011 Act. No such complaint, or the record thereof,
shall be used in any action, suit or proceeding except to the extent considered
necessary by the executive director in the prosecution of apparent violations
of section 11 of this 2011 Act or other law.
(2) Data gathered pursuant to an
investigation of a complaint by the executive director shall be confidential,
may not be disclosed except as provided in sections 15 and 16 of this 2011 Act
and may not be used in any action, suit or proceeding except to the extent
considered necessary by the executive director in the investigation or
prosecution of apparent violations of section 11 of this 2011 Act or other law.
(3) Notwithstanding subsections (1)
and (2) of this section, the executive director shall establish a method for
making available to the public an annual statistical report containing the
number, percentage, type and disposition of complaints received by the
corporation against each health plan that is certified or that has been
certified as a qualified health plan by the corporation.
SECTION 24. False or misleading
filings. A person may not file or cause to be filed with the executive
director of the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Corporation any article,
certificate, report, statement, application or any other information required
or permitted by the executive director to be filed, that is known by the person
to be false or misleading in any material respect.
SECTION 25. Civil penalties.
(1) The executive director of the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Corporation,
in accordance with ORS 183.745, may impose a civil penalty under section 24 of
this 2011 Act of no more than $10,000. The penalty may not be imposed on
carriers for violations of section 24 of this 2011 Act unless imposed by the Department
of Consumer and Business Services pursuant to the department’s regulatory
functions.
(2) All penalties recovered under this
section shall be paid to the State Treasury and credited to the General Fund.
SECTION 26. Repeal and delayed
operative date. (1) Section 5 of this 2011 Act is repealed January 2, 2016.
(2) Section 10 of this 2011 Act is
repealed January 2, 2014.
SECTION 27. Operation of
exchange delayed pending legislative approval of formal business plan. (1)
Section 11 of this 2011 Act becomes operative on the date the Legislative
Assembly approves the formal business plan submitted by the Oregon Health
Insurance Exchange Corporation under section 5 (9) of this 2011 Act. This
subsection does not prohibit the implementation, on or after the effective date
of this 2011 Act, of the responsibilities of the Oregon Health Authority or the
Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Corporation in administering federal grants
received for planning, administration or information technology for the exchange.
(2) The amendments to section 11 of
this 2011 Act by section 12 of this 2011 Act become operative on the later of
the date the Legislative Assembly approves the formal business plan submitted
by the corporation under section 5 (9) of this 2011 Act or January 1, 2016.
SECTION 28. Captions. The
section captions used in this 2011 Act are provided only for the convenience of
the reader and do not become part of the statutory law of this state or express
any legislative intent in the enactment of this 2011 Act.
SECTION 29. Emergency clause.
This 2011 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public
peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2011 Act
takes effect on its passage.
Approved by
the Governor June 17, 2011
Filed in the
office of Secretary of State June 17, 2011
Effective date
June 17, 2011
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