Upon his own motion or upon written complaint filed by a citizen of this State that an insurer, health maintenance organization, or other person licensed or authorized to transact business in this State has violated this title, the director or his designee shall investigate the matter and, if necessary, examine under oath the president and other officers or agents of the insurer, health maintenance organization, or other person and all books, records, and papers of the insurer, health maintenance organization, or other person. The insurer, health maintenance organization, or other person and its representatives shall respond to the department's inquiries, requests for information, or investigations within seven calendar days or within a larger timeframe granted by the director or his designee. If the director or his designee finds upon substantial evidence that a complaint is justified, the insurer, health maintenance organization, or other person, in addition to the penalties imposed for violation of this title, is liable for the expenses of the investigation, and the director or his designee shall promptly present the insurer with a statement of the expenses. If the insurer, health maintenance organization, or other person refuses or neglects to pay, the director or his designee is authorized to revoke its license and to bring civil action for the collection of the expenses.
HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-13-70 [1947 (45) 322; 1952 Code Section 37-607; 1962 Code Section 37-607] recodified as Section 38-15-50 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; Former 1976 Code Section 38-5-1240 [1947 (45) 322; 1952 Code Section 37-287; 1962 Code Section 37-287] recodified as Section 38-13-70 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 537; 2018 Act No. 219 (H.4657), Section 2, eff May 18, 2018.
Effect of Amendment
2018 Act No. 219, Section 2, rewrote the section, authorizing the department to respond to motions and complaints against health maintenance organizations and persons licensed to transact the business of insurance in the State.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 13 - Examinations, Investigations, Records, And Reports
Section 38-13-40. Examiners not to be appointed if conflict of interest exists; exceptions.
Section 38-13-50. Insurer to pay cost of examination; civil action to recover costs.
Section 38-13-60. Immunity from liability; recovery of attorney fees and costs if prevailing party.
Section 38-13-70. Investigation of charges; liability for expenses.
Section 38-13-80. Annual statement as to business standing and financial condition.
Section 38-13-90. Publication of assets and liabilities.
Section 38-13-100. Items to be included as liabilities in financial statements.
Section 38-13-110. Treatment of contingent debts or liabilities in financial statements.
Section 38-13-120. Record of business done; inspection by Director or designee.
Section 38-13-130. Records of losses and claims.
Section 38-13-140. Refusal to exhibit records; false statements; confidentiality of replies.
Section 38-13-150. Returns of reinsurance by insurers; effect of refusal.
Section 38-13-160. Director or designee may require special reports; confidentiality of replies.
Section 38-13-170. Penalties for making or aiding in making false statement.
Section 38-13-180. Insurance reserve fund defined.
Section 38-13-200. Penalty for refusal to be examined under oath.
Section 38-13-310. Supplemental report.
Section 38-13-320. Data in supplemental report.
Section 38-13-340. Review of supplemental reports.
Section 38-13-350. Filing of required information.
Section 38-13-360. Penalty for failure to comply with provisions of article.
Section 38-13-700. Periodic examination of unemployment compensation fund; duties of director.
Section 38-13-710. Who may request examination; contents of request.
Section 38-13-730. Verification of data provided by department; sample data testing.
Section 38-13-750. Conflict of interest prohibited.
Section 38-13-760. Department to pay charges.
Section 38-13-810. Purpose; application; findings.
Section 38-13-820. Definitions.
Section 38-13-830. Risk management framework.
Section 38-13-840. Insurers required to conduct ORSA on no less than an annual basis.
Section 38-13-850. ORSA Summary Reports.
Section 38-13-860. Exemptions.
Section 38-13-870. Preparation of ORSA Summary Report; review; requests for information.
Section 38-13-880. Confidentiality.
Section 38-13-900. Effective date.
Section 38-13-1000. Purpose; construction; application.
Section 38-13-1010. Definitions.
Section 38-13-1020. Submission of Corporate Governance Annual Disclosure.
Section 38-13-1030. Rules, regulations, and orders.
Section 38-13-1060. Retention of third-party consultants.