As used in sections 1739.01 to 1739.22 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Agreement" means a written agreement executed by members of a multiple employer welfare arrangement that establishes an arrangement, provides for its operation, and through which each member agrees to assume and discharge all liability under sections 1739.01 to 1739.22 of the Revised Code relating to or arising out of the operation of the arrangement in proportion to the ratio of the total number of covered employees employed by the member at the time the liability arose to the total number of covered employees employed by all members of the arrangement at the time the liability arose.

(B) "Excess insurance" or "stop-loss insurance" means an insurance policy purchased by a multiple employer welfare arrangement under which it receives reimbursement for benefits it pays in excess of a preset deductible or limit.

(C) "Fully insured program" means a program by which benefits are provided to members, employees of members, or the dependents of such members or employees, through the purchase of sickness and accident insurance from an insurance company licensed to do business in this state or health services purchased from a health insuring corporation authorized to do business in this state.

(D) "Group self-insurance program" means a program by which benefits are provided to members, employees of members, or the dependents of such members or employees, other than through sickness and accident insurance purchased from an insurance company licensed to do business in this state or health care services purchased from a health insuring corporation authorized to do business in this state.

(E) "Member" means an individual or an employer that is a member of an organization sponsoring a multiple employer welfare arrangement.

(F) "Multiple employer welfare arrangement" means an employee welfare benefit plan, trust, or any other arrangement, whether such plan, trust, or arrangement is subject to the "Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974," 88 Stat. 829, 29 U.S.C.A. 1001, as amended, that is established or maintained for the purpose of offering or providing, through group insurance or group self-insurance programs, medical, surgical, or hospital care or benefits, or benefits in the event of sickness, accident, disability, or death, to the employees, and their dependents, of two or more employers, or to two or more self-employed individuals and their dependents.

(G) "Premium" means any type of consideration paid to a multiple employer welfare arrangement by a member for coverage under the arrangement.

(H) "Surplus" means the total assets of the multiple employer welfare arrangement less its liabilities and reserves as determined in accordance with the requirements of sections 1739.01 to 1739.21 of the Revised Code.

(I) "Third-party administrator" has the same meaning as "administrator" in section 3959.01 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 03-22-1999 .