A. No person shall operate an MCHIP in this Commonwealth unless the health carrier who directly or indirectly manages, owns, contracts with, or employs the providers for the plan is licensed in accordance with provisions in this title as an insurance company, a health maintenance organization, or a nonstock corporation organized in accordance with provisions in Chapter 42 (§ 38.2-4200 et seq.) or Chapter 45 (§ 38.2-4500 et seq.) of this title. Such health carrier shall be deemed responsible for the MCHIP and its compliance with this chapter and the provisions of Title 32.1 concerning quality assurance of MCHIPs. A health carrier may be responsible for more than one MCHIP; however, no MCHIP shall have more than one responsible health carrier.

B. Except as provided in subsection C, no person shall operate an MCHIP in this Commonwealth unless the health carrier responsible for the MCHIP holds an active or temporarily suspended certificate of quality assurance issued by the Department of Health.

C. 1. A health maintenance organization applying for licensure under this title on or after July 1, 1998, or whose application for such licensure is pending before the Commission on July 1, 1998, shall request its initial certificate of quality assurance prior to licensing and a copy of its request shall be included with and made a part of the licensing application and material filed with the Commission pursuant to § 38.2-4301 and subsection B of § 38.2-5802. Until July 1, 2000, (i) issuance of a license under § 38.2-4302 shall be contingent upon receipt of notice from the State Health Commissioner that the health maintenance organization's description of its complaint system has been reviewed and approved by the State Health Commissioner and (ii) upon issuance of the license such health maintenance organization shall be deemed in compliance with subsection B provided no certificate of quality assurance has been issued to the health maintenance organization which has been revoked or not renewed by the State Health Commissioner. Effective July 1, 2000, issuance of a license under § 38.2-4302 shall be contingent upon the Department of Health's issuance of a certificate of quality assurance.

2. Until July 1, 2000, a health maintenance organization licensed under this title on and before July 1, 1998, shall be deemed in compliance with the provisions of this section if (i) a request for initial certification has been filed with the Department of Health on or before December 1, 1998, and is pending before the State Health Commissioner and (ii) no certificate has been issued to the health maintenance organization which has been revoked or not renewed by the State Health Commissioner.

3. A health carrier, other than a health maintenance organization, responsible for an MCHIP pursuant to this chapter, shall request its initial certificate of quality assurance from the Department of Health on or before December 1, 1998, or becoming responsible for a MCHIP under this title. Until July 1, 2000, such health carrier shall be deemed in compliance with the provisions of this section if (i) a request for initial certification is pending before the Department of Health and (ii) no certificate has been issued to the health carrier which has been revoked or not renewed by the State Health Commissioner.

D. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all health carriers and all MCHIPs operating in this Commonwealth unless an exemption is recognized in accordance with § 38.2-3420; and, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the provisions of this chapter shall be supplemental and in addition to those otherwise applicable under this title or Title 32.1.

1998, c. 891.