Sec. 301.

(1) The property and lawful business of a health care corporation existing and authorized to do business under this act shall be held and managed by a board of directors to consist of not more than 35 members. The board shall exercise the powers and authority necessary to carry out the lawful purposes of the corporation, as limited by this act and the articles of incorporation and the bylaws of the corporation.

(2) Four voting members of the board shall be representatives of the public appointed by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate. Two of those members shall be retired individuals 62 years of age or older. The term of office of each representative of the public shall be 2 years, and until a successor is appointed and qualified. If a vacancy occurs before the conclusion of a 2-year term, the appointment of a representative to complete the term shall be made in the same manner as the original appointment.

(3) The board of directors shall consist of not more than 25% provider directors. In addition to physician and hospital provider directors, not less than 1 provider director shall be a registered professional nurse who shall be representative of licensees under part 172 of the public health code, Act No. 368 of the Public Acts of 1978, as amended, being sections 333.17201 to 333.17242 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, and not less than 1 provider director shall be representative of the provider whose services, in the 1984 calendar year in the case of an existing health care corporation, or, in the calendar year immediately following incorporation in the case of a newly-formed health care corporation, generated the largest number of benefit claims received by the corporation from its subscribers. Other provider directors shall be as broadly representative of provider classes as possible.

(4) The bylaws of a health care corporation may authorize not more than 1 officer or employee of the corporation to serve as a voting or nonvoting director.

(5) The remaining members of the board of directors shall include representatives of large subscriber groups, medium subscriber groups, small subscriber groups, and nongroup subscribers, in proportions which fairly represent the total subscriber population of the health care corporation. However, at least 3 directors shall represent nongroup subscribers, at least 1 of whom shall be a retired individual 62 years of age or older, and at least 3 directors shall represent small subscriber groups. Large and medium subscriber groups shall be represented, to the greatest extent possible, by an equal number of labor and management representatives and shall be categorized as labor subscriber representatives or management subscriber representatives.

(6) The method of selection of the directors, other than the directors who are representatives of the public, and additional provisions and requirements for further refinement or specification regarding the number of directors comprising each component shall be specified in the bylaws. The terms of office of directors, other than the directors who are representatives of the public, and the method for filling vacancies in those offices shall be provided in the bylaws. However, if a term of office of more than 1 year is prescribed by the bylaws, at least 1/3 of the members of the board shall be selected each year.

(7) The method of selection of each category of subscribers entitled to representation on the board under subsection (5) shall maximize subscriber participation to the extent reasonably practicable. This subsection shall permit, but not require, the statewide election of a director or member of the corporate body. The method of selection shall neither permit nor require nomination, endorsement, approval, or confirmation of a candidate or director by the corporate body, the board of directors, or the management of the health care corporation, or any member or members of any of these. This subsection shall not apply to the selection of an officer or employee as a director pursuant to subsection (4). This subsection shall not limit the rights of any director, member of the corporate body, or employee or officer of the health care corporation to participate in the selection process in his or her capacity as a subscriber, to the same extent as any other subscriber may participate.

(8) For the purposes of this section:

(a) “Health care provider” or “provider” includes:

(i) A person defined as a health care provider or provider in section 105(4); a person employed by a health care facility, as defined in section 105(3); or a director, officer, or trustee of a health care provider, as defined in section 105(4), unless the person serves in that capacity as a representative selected by the same subscriber group or collective bargaining representative which the person represents on the board of a health care corporation.

(ii) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a spouse, child, or parent of a health care provider who resides in the same household.

(iii) A person who receives more than 25% of his or her annual income through the provision of goods or services to health care providers, or who is an employee, officer, trustee, or director of a firm or organization which receives more than 25% of its annual income through the provision of goods or services to health care providers.

(b) For purposes of determining whether a director is a provider director, “health care provider” or “provider” does not include a spouse, child, or parent of a health care provider who resides in the same household if all of the following criteria are met:

(i) Not more than 1/3 of the total annual household income is earned by that health care provider.

(ii) The term of office of the director commences in the 1988 calendar year.

(iii) Not more than 2 directors qualify for the exemption under this subdivision.

(9) A director shall not be an employee, agent, officer, or director of an insurance company writing disability insurance inside or outside this state.

History: 1980, Act 350, Eff. Apr. 3, 1981 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 45, Imd. Eff. Mar. 11, 1988 Popular Name: Blue Cross-Blue ShieldPopular Name: Act 350