Section 33-30A-5. Responsibilities of department

   The department shall assist health plan purchasing cooperatives. To this end, the department is responsible for:

   (1) Initially and thereafter annually certifying that each cooperative complies with the provisions of this chapter and regulations adopted pursuant to Code Section 33-30A-9. The department may decertify any cooperative if the cooperative fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter and the regulations adopted by the Commissioner;

   (2) Conducting an annual review of the performance of each cooperative to ensure that the cooperative is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and applicable regulations;

   (3) Establishing criteria for plans to be offered through cooperatives to cooperative members. Such plans may include without limitation fee-for-service plans, preferred provider organizations, health maintenance organizations, provider sponsored health care corporation plans, and medical savings accounts;

   (4) Receiving and reviewing appeals by members of a cooperative and carriers whose grievances were not resolved by the cooperative; and

   (5) Providing annually to the House Committee on Insurance and the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee a detailed status report on the effect and administration of this chapter.

Code 1981, § 33-30A-5, enacted by Ga. L. 1997, p. 1072, § 1.