(a) (1) With respect to any proposed change of control affiliation or transaction between:
a. A health service corporation licensed under this chapter; and
b. Any insurer that administers a Children's Health Insurance Program buy-in program (“the insurer”),
the Commissioner shall not approve the transaction or affiliation unless the affiliation will result in the Delaware-licensed health service corporation offering an insurance plan with the same benefits and eligibility criteria as the Delaware program created under § 9909(j) of Title 16.
(2) The specific premiums to be initially charged under this section shall be approved by the Commissioner as part of the approval for the transaction or affiliation required by this section, with the analysis required by Chapter 25 of this title and the premiums charged in other regions whose CHIP buy-in programs are administered by the insurer being factors in the Commissioner's decision.
(3) The plan offered pursuant to this section shall offer to subscribers the same network of health-care providers that is offered to subscribers of the Delaware-licensed entity's standard health insurance plan.
(b) For purposes of this section, a “change of control affiliation or transaction” is any affiliation or transaction that will ultimately result in any change in effective control of a health service corporation, either as described by the applicant or as determined by the Commissioner.
(c) The obligation imposed under subsection (a) of this section shall exist until such time that the Commissioner finds that a subsequent change in ownership or governance of the affected Delaware health service corporation has negated the change of control affiliation or transaction that triggered the insurer's obligation under subsection (a) of this section, or until such time that the Commissioner determines that the program has been effectively replaced by federal law, or until such time as the Commissioner determines that the program has become unviable due to insufficient enrollment or unsustainable financial losses. For purposes of this subsection, “unsustainable financial losses” shall require a demonstration of an actual medical loss ratio greater than 90% for each of 2 completed program years in a 3-program-year period.
(d) For purposes of this section, a “children's health insurance buy-in program” is a state program that allows children who would otherwise be ineligible to participate in the State's CHIP program by virtue of income to nevertheless participate in the program by paying a monthly premium.
(e) For purposes of this section, “CHIP program” means the federal Children's Health Insurance Program.
(f) Future adjustments to premiums for any Delaware CHIP buy-in program created pursuant to this section shall be subject to Chapter 25 of this title, with premiums charged in other regions whose CHIP buy-in programs are administered by the insurer being a factor considered under § 2503(a)(3) of this title.
(g) Any program created pursuant to this section shall be actuarially separated from a health service corporation's other insurance plans, and shall not affect the premiums approved by the Commissioner pursuant to Chapter 25 of this title for those other plans.
(h) The Insurance Commissioner shall provide a report to the Controller General regarding any rate-setting proceeding relating to any CHIP buy-in program created by this section. Such report shall include any request with respect to rates made by the relevant carrier, any analysis performed by the Insurance Commissioner, and the Insurance Commissioner's ultimate decision with an explanation for that decision. This requirement shall also apply to the initial premium setting required by paragraph (a)(2) of this section. The report shall be furnished within 30 days of a final decision by the Commissioner with respect to any rate.
Structure Delaware Code
Chapter 63. HEALTH SERVICE CORPORATIONS
§ 6302. Health service corporation defined.
§ 6304. Certificate of authority; when required; application.
§ 6305. Issuance of certificate of authority.
§ 6306. Filing required for contract or rate changes.
§ 6307. Annual report; examination.
§ 6308. Suspension or revocation of authority to do business.
§ 6309. Other provisions applicable.