Sec. 613.

(1) If the request for a hearing under this section is with regard to a rate filing not yet acted upon under section 610(2)(a), no such action shall be taken by the commissioner until after the hearing has been completed. However, the commissioner shall proceed to act upon those portions of a rate filing upon which no hearing has been requested. Within 15 days after receipt of a request for a hearing, the commissioner shall determine if the person has standing. If the commissioner determines that the person has standing, the person may have access to the entire filing subject to the same confidentiality requirements as the commissioner under section 604, and shall be subject to the penalty provision of section 604(5). Upon determining that the person has standing, the commissioner shall immediately appoint an independent hearing officer before whom the hearing shall be held. In appointing an independent hearing officer, the commissioner shall select a person qualified to conduct hearings, who has experience or education in the area of health care corporation or insurance rate determination and finance, and who is not otherwise associated financially with a health care corporation or a health care provider. The person selected shall not be currently or actively employed by this state. For purposes of this subsection, an employee of an educational institution shall not be considered to be employed by this state. For purposes of this section, a person has “standing” if any of the following circumstances exist:

(a) The person is, or there are reasonable grounds to believe that the person could be, aggrieved by the proposed rate.

(b) The person is acting on behalf of 1 or more named persons described in subdivision (a).

(c) The person is the commissioner, the attorney general, or the health care corporation.

(2) Not more than 30 days after receipt of a request for a hearing, and upon not less than 15 days' notice to all parties, the hearing shall be commenced. Each party to the hearing shall be given a reasonable opportunity for discovery before and throughout the course of the hearing. However, the hearing officer may terminate discovery at any time, for good cause shown. The hearing officer shall conduct the hearing pursuant to the administrative procedures act. The hearing shall be conducted in an expeditious manner. At the hearing, the burden of proving compliance with this act shall be upon the health care corporation.

(3) In rendering a proposal for a decision, the hearing officer shall consider the factors prescribed in section 609.

(4) Within 30 days after receipt of the hearing officer's proposal for decision, the commissioner shall by order render a decision which shall include a statement of findings.

(5) The commissioner shall withdraw an order of approval or approval with modifications if the commissioner finds that the filing no longer meets the requirements of this act.

History: 1980, Act 350, Eff. Apr. 3, 1981 Popular Name: Blue Cross-Blue ShieldPopular Name: Act 350