BILL NUMBER: AB 1180 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 21, 2013
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Pan
FEBRUARY 22, 2013
An act to amend Section 100503 of the Government Code
repeal and add Sections 1399.805 and
1399.811 of the Health and Safety Code, and to repeal
and add Sections 10901.3 and 10901.9 of the Insurance Code
, relating to health care coverage.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1180, as amended, Pan. California Health Benefit
Exchange. Health care coverage: HIPAA rates.
Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975,
provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service
plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes a willful
violation of the act a crime. Existing law also provides for the
regulation of health insurers by the Insurance Commissioner. Existing
law requires a health care service plan or a health insurer offering
individual plan contracts or individual insurance policies to fairly
and affirmatively offer, market, and sell certain individual
contracts and policies to all federally eligible defined individuals,
as defined, in each service area in which the plan or insurer
provides or arranges for the provision of health care services.
Existing law prohibits the premium for those policies and contracts
from exceeding the premium paid by a subscriber of the California
Major Risk Medical Insurance Program who is of the same age and
resides in the same geographic region as the federally eligible
defined individual, as specified.
This bill would instead prohibit the premium for those policies
and contracts from exceeding the premium for a specified plan offered
in the individual market through the California Health Benefit
Exchange in the rating area in which the individual resides. Because
a willful violation of the bill's requirements by a health care
service plan would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated
local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.
Existing law, the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act (PPACA), requires each state to, by January 1, 2014, establish an
American Health Benefit Exchange that makes available qualified
health plans to qualified individuals and small employers. PPACA also
authorizes the establishment of a basic health program under which a
state may, if specified criteria are met, enter into contracts to
offer one or more standard health plans providing a minimum level of
essential health benefits to eligible individuals instead of offering
those individuals coverage through an exchange. PPACA also
establishes annual limits on deductibles for employer-sponsored plans
and defines bronze, silver, gold, and platinum levels of coverage
for the nongrandfathered individual and small group markets.
Existing law establishes the California Health Benefit Exchange
(Exchange) to facilitate the purchase of qualified health plans
through the Exchange by qualified individuals and qualified small
employers by January 1, 2014. Existing law requires carriers
participating in the Exchange that sell products outside the Exchange
to offer, market, and sell all products made available to
individuals and small employers through the Exchange to individuals
and small employers purchasing coverage outside the Exchange.
Existing law requires an individual or small group health care
service plan contract or health insurance policy issued, amended, or
renewed on or after January 1, 2014, to cover essential health
benefits, as defined.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those
provisions.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no
yes . State-mandated local program: no
yes .
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 1399.805 of the
Health and Safety Code is repealed.
1399.805. (a) (1) After the federally eligible defined
individual submits a completed application form for a plan contract,
the plan shall, within 30 days, notify the individual of the
individual's actual premium charges for that plan contract, unless
the plan has provided notice of the premium charge prior to the
application being filed. In no case shall the premium charged for any
health care service plan contract identified in subdivision (d) of
Section 1366.35 exceed the following amounts:
(A) For health care service plan contracts that offer services
through a preferred provider arrangement, the average premium paid by
a subscriber of the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program who is of
the same age and resides in the same geographic area as the federally
eligible defined individual. However, for federally qualified
individuals who are between the ages of 60 and 64, inclusive, the
premium shall not exceed the average premium paid by a subscriber of
the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program who is 59 years of age and
resides in the same geographic area as the federally eligible defined
individual.
(B) For health care service plan contracts identified in
subdivision (d) of Section 1366.35 that do not offer services through
a preferred provider arrangement, 170 percent of the standard
premium charged to an individual who is of the same age and resides
in the same geographic area as the federally eligible defined
individual. However, for federally qualified individuals who are
between the ages of 60 and 64, inclusive, the premium shall not
exceed 170 percent of the standard premium charged to an individual
who is 59 years of age and resides in the same geographic area as the
federally eligible defined individual. The individual shall have 30
days in which to exercise the right to buy coverage at the quoted
premium rates.
(2) A plan may adjust the premium based on family size, not to
exceed the following amounts:
(A) For health care service plans that offer services through a
preferred provider arrangement, the average of the Major Risk Medical
Insurance Program rate for families of the same size that reside in
the same geographic area as the federally eligible defined
individual.
(B) For health care service plans identified in subdivision (d)
of Section 1366.35 that do not offer services through a preferred
provider arrangement, 170 percent of the standard premium charged to
a family that is of the same size and resides in the same geographic
area as the federally eligible defined individual.
(b) When a federally eligible defined individual submits a
premium payment, based on the quoted premium charges, and that
payment is delivered or postmarked, whichever occurs earlier, within
the first 15 days of the month, coverage shall begin no later than
the first day of the following month. When that payment is neither
delivered or postmarked until after the 15th day of a month, coverage
shall become effective no later than the first day of the second
month following delivery or postmark of the payment.
(c) During the first 30 days after the effective date of the plan
contract, the individual shall have the option of changing coverage
to a different plan contract offered by the same health care service
plan. If the individual notified the plan of the change within the
first 15 days of a month, coverage under the new plan contract shall
become effective no later than the first day of the following month.
If an enrolled individual notified the plan of the change after the
15th day of a month, coverage under the new plan contract shall
become effective no later than the first day of the second month
following notification.
SEC. 2. Section 1399.805 is added to the
Health and Safety Code , to read:
1399.805. (a) After the federally eligible defined individual
submits a completed application form for a plan contract, the plan
shall, within 30 days, notify the individual of the individual's
actual premium charges for that plan contract, unless the plan has
provided notice of the premium charge prior to the application being
filed. In no case shall the premium charged for any health care
service plan contract identified in subdivision (d) of Section
1366.35 exceed the premium for the second lowest cost silver plan of
the individual market in the rating area in which the individual
resides which is offered through the California Health Benefit
Exchange established under Title 22 (commencing with Section 100500)
of the Government Code, as described in Section 36B(b)(3)(B) of Title
26 of the United States Code.
(b) When a federally eligible defined individual submits a premium
payment, based on the quoted premium charges, and that payment is
delivered or postmarked, whichever occurs earlier, within the first
15 days of the month, coverage shall begin no later than the first
day of the following month. When that payment is neither delivered
nor postmarked until after the 15th day of a month, coverage shall
become effective no later than the first day of the second month
following delivery or postmark of the payment.
(c) During the first 30 days after the effective date of the plan
contract, the individual shall have the option of changing coverage
to a different plan contract offered by the same health care service
plan. If the individual notified the plan of the change within the
first 15 days of a month, coverage under the new plan contract shall
become effective no later than the first day of the following month.
If an enrolled individual notified the plan of the change after the
15th day of a month, coverage under the new plan contract shall
become effective no later than the first day of the second month
following notification.
SEC. 3. Section 1399.811 of the Health
and Safety Code is repealed.
1399.811. Premiums for contracts offered, delivered, amended, or
renewed by plans on or after January 1, 2001, shall be subject to the
following requirements:
(a) The premium for new business for a federally eligible defined
individual shall not exceed the following amounts:
(1) For health care service plan contracts identified in
subdivision (d) of Section 1366.35 that offer services through a
preferred provider arrangement, the average premium paid by a
subscriber of the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program who is of the
same age and resides in the same geographic area as the federally
eligible defined individual. However, for federally qualified
individuals who are between the ages of 60 to 64 years, inclusive,
the premium shall not exceed the average premium paid by a subscriber
of the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program who is 59 years of age
and resides in the same geographic area as the federally eligible
defined individual.
(2) For health care service plan contracts identified in
subdivision (d) of Section 1366.35 that do not offer services through
a preferred provider arrangement, 170 percent of the standard
premium charged to an individual who is of the same age and resides
in the same geographic area as the federally eligible defined
individual. However, for federally qualified individuals who are
between the ages of 60 to 64 years, inclusive, the premium shall not
exceed 170 percent of the standard premium charged to an individual
who is 59 years of age and resides in the same geographic area as the
federally eligible defined individual.
(b) The premium for in force business for a federally eligible
defined individual shall not exceed the following amounts:
(1) For health care service plan contracts identified in
subdivision (d) of Section 1366.35 that offer services through a
preferred provider arrangement, the average premium paid by a
subscriber of the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program who is of the
same age and resides in the same geographic area as the federally
eligible defined individual. However, for federally qualified
individuals who are between the ages of 60 and 64 years, inclusive,
the premium shall not exceed the average premium paid by a subscriber
of the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program who is 59 years of age
and resides in the same geographic area as the federally eligible
defined individual.
(2) For health care service plan contracts identified in
subdivision (d) of Section 1366.35 that do not offer services through
a preferred provider arrangement, 170 percent of the standard
premium charged to an individual who is of the same age and resides
in the same geographic area as the federally eligible defined
individual. However, for federally qualified individuals who are
between the ages of 60 and 64 years, inclusive, the premium shall not
exceed 170 percent of the standard premium charged to an individual
who is 59 years of age and resides in the same geographic area as the
federally eligible defined individual. The premium effective on
January 1, 2001, shall apply to in force business at the earlier of
either the time of renewal or July 1, 2001.
(c) The premium applied to a federally eligible defined individual
may not increase by more than the following amounts:
(1) For health care service plan contracts identified in
subdivision (d) of Section 1366.35 that offer services through a
preferred provider arrangement, the average increase in the premiums
charged to a subscriber of the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program
who is of the same age and resides in the same geographic area as the
federally eligible defined individual.
(2) For health care service plan contracts identified in
subdivision (d) of Section 1366.35 that do not offer services through
a preferred provider arrangement, the increase in premiums charged
to a nonfederally qualified individual who is of the same age and
resides in the same geographic area as the federally defined eligible
individual. The premium for an eligible individual may not be
modified more frequently than every 12 months.
(3) For a contract that a plan has discontinued offering, the
premium applied to the first rating period of the new contract that
the federally eligible defined individual elects to purchase shall be
no greater than the premium applied in the prior rating period to
the discontinued contract.
SEC. 4. Section 1399.811 is added to the
Health and Safety Code , to read:
1399.811. Premiums for contracts offered, delivered, amended, or
renewed by plans on or after January 1, 2014, shall be subject to the
following requirements:
(a) The premium for in force or new business for a federally
eligible defined individual shall not exceed the premium for the
second lowest cost silver plan of the individual market in the rating
area in which the individual resides which is offered through the
California Health Benefit Exchange established under Title 22
(commencing with Section 100500) of the Government Code, as described
in Section 36B(b)(3)(B) of Title 26 of the United States Code.
(b) For a contract that a plan has discontinued offering, the
premium applied to the first rating period of the new contract that
the federally eligible defined individual elects to purchase shall be
no greater than the premium applied in the prior rating period to
the discontinued contract.
SEC. 5. Section 10901.3 of the
Insurance Code is repealed.
10901.3. (a) (1) After the federally eligible defined individual
submits a completed application form for a health benefit plan, the
carrier shall, within 30 days, notify the individual of the
individual's actual premium charges for that health benefit plan
design. In no case shall the premium charged for any health benefit
plan identified in subdivision (d) of Section 10785 exceed the
following amounts:
(A) For health benefit plans that offer services through a
preferred provider arrangement, the average premium paid by a
subscriber of the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program who is of the
same age and resides in the same geographic area as the federally
eligible defined individual. However, for federally qualified
individuals who are between the ages of 60 and 64, inclusive, the
premium shall not exceed the average premium paid by a subscriber of
the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program who is 59 years of age and
resides in the same geographic area as the federally eligible defined
individual.
(B) For health benefit plans identified in subdivision (d) of
Section 10785 that do not offer services through a preferred provider
arrangement, 170 percent of the standard premium charged to an
individual who is of the same age and resides in the same geographic
area as the federally eligible defined individual. However, for
federally qualified individuals who are between the ages of 60 and
64, inclusive, the premium shall not exceed 170 percent of the
standard premium charged to an individual who is 59 years of age and
resides in the same geographic area as the federally eligible defined
individual. The individual shall have 30 days in which to exercise
the right to buy coverage at the quoted premium rates.
(2) A carrier may adjust the premium based on family size, not to
exceed the following amounts:
(A) For health benefit plans that offer services through a
preferred provider arrangement, the average of the Major Risk Medical
Insurance Program rate for families of the same size that reside in
the same geographic area as the federally eligible defined
individual.
(B) For health benefit plans identified in subdivision (d) of
Section 10785 that do not offer services through a preferred provider
arrangement, 170 percent of the standard premium charged to a family
that is of the same size and resides in the same geographic area as
the federally eligible defined individual.
(b) When a federally eligible defined individual submits a premium
payment, based on the quoted premium charges, and that payment is
delivered or postmarked, whichever occurs earlier, within the first
15 days of the month, coverage shall begin no later than the first
day of the following month. When that payment is neither delivered or
postmarked until after the 15th day of a month, coverage shall
become effective no later than the first day of the second month
following delivery or postmark of the payment.
(c) During the first 30 days after the effective date of the
health benefit plan, the individual shall have the option of changing
coverage to a different health benefit plan design offered by the
same carrier. If the individual notified the plan of the change
within the first 15 days of a month, coverage under the new health
benefit plan shall become effective no later than the first day of
the following month. If an enrolled individual notified the carrier
of the change after the 15th day of a month, coverage under the
health benefit plan shall become effective no later than the first
day of the second month following notification.
SEC. 6. Section 10901.3 is added to the
Insurance Code , to read:
10901.3. (a) After the federally eligible defined individual
submits a completed application form for a health benefit plan, the
carrier shall, within 30 days, notify the individual of the
individual's actual premium charges for that health benefit plan
design. In no case shall the premium charged for any health benefit
plan identified in subdivision (d) of Section 10785 exceed the
premium for the second lowest cost silver plan of the individual
market in the rating area in which the individual resides which is
offered through the California Health Benefit Exchange established
under Title 22 (commencing with Section 100500) of the Government
Code, as described in Section 36B(b)(3)(B) of Title 26 of the United
States Code.
(b) When a federally eligible defined individual submits a premium
payment, based on the quoted premium charges, and that payment is
delivered or postmarked, whichever occurs earlier, within the first
15 days of the month, coverage shall begin no later than the first
day of the following month. When that payment is neither delivered or
postmarked until after the 15th day of a month, coverage shall
become effective no later than the first day of the second month
following delivery or postmark of the payment.
(c) During the first 30 days after the effective date of the
health benefit plan, the individual shall have the option of changing
coverage to a different health benefit plan design offered by the
same carrier. If the individual notified the plan of the change
within the first 15 days of a month, coverage under the new health
benefit plan shall become effective no later than the first day of
the following month. If an enrolled individual notified the carrier
of the change after the 15th day of a month, coverage under the
health benefit plan shall become effective no later than the first
day of the second month following notification.
SEC. 7. Section 10901.9 of the
Insurance Code is repealed.
10901.9. Commencing January 1, 2001, premiums for health benefit
plans offered, delivered, amended, or renewed by carriers shall be
subject to the following requirements:
(a) The premium for new business for a federally eligible defined
individual shall not exceed the following amounts:
(1) For health benefit plans identified in subdivision (d) of
Section 10785 that offer services through a preferred provider
arrangement, the average premium paid by a subscriber of the Major
Risk Medical Insurance Program who is of the same age and resides in
the same geographic area as the federally eligible defined
individual. However, for federally qualified individuals who are
between the ages of 60 to 64, inclusive, the premium shall not exceed
the average premium paid by a subscriber of the Major Risk Medical
Insurance Program who is 59 years of age and resides in the same
geographic area as the federally eligible defined individual.
(2) For health benefit plans identified in subdivision (d) of
Section 10785 that do not offer services through a preferred provider
arrangement, 170 percent of the standard premium charged to an
individual who is of the same age and resides in the same geographic
area as the federally eligible defined individual. However, for
federally qualified individuals who are between the ages of 60 to 64,
inclusive, the premium shall not exceed 170 percent of the standard
premium charged to an individual who is 59 years of age and resides
in the same geographic area as the federally eligible defined
individual.
(b) The premium for in force business for a federally eligible
defined individual shall not exceed the following amounts:
(1) For health benefit plans identified in subdivision (d) of
Section 10785 that offer services through a preferred provider
arrangement, the average premium paid by a subscriber of the Major
Risk Medical Insurance Program who is of the same age and resides in
the same geographic area as the federally eligible defined
individual. However, for federally qualified individuals who are
between the ages of 60 and 64, inclusive, the premium shall not
exceed the average premium paid by a subscriber of the Major Risk
Medical Insurance Program who is 59 years of age and resides in the
same geographic area as the federally eligible defined individual.
(2) For health benefit plans identified in subdivision (d) of
Section 10785 that do not offer services through a preferred provider
arrangement, 170 percent of the standard premium charged to an
individual who is of the same age and resides in the same geographic
area as the federally eligible defined individual. However, for
federally qualified individuals who are between the ages of 60 and
64, inclusive, the premium shall not exceed 170 percent of the
standard premium charged to an individual who is 59 years of age and
resides in the same geographic area as the federally eligible defined
individual. The premium effective on January 1, 2001, shall apply to
in force business at the earlier of either the time of renewal or
July 1, 2001.
(c) The premium applied to a federally eligible defined individual
may not increase by more than the following amounts:
(1) For health benefit plans identified in subdivision (d) of
Section 10785 that offer services through a preferred provider
arrangement, the average increase in the premiums charged to a
subscriber of the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program who is of the
same age and resides in the same geographic area as the federally
eligible defined individual.
(2) For health benefit plans identified in subdivision (d) of
Section 10785 that do not offer services through a preferred provider
arrangement, the increase in premiums charged to a nonfederally
qualified individual who is of the same age and resides in the same
geographic area as the federally defined eligible individual. The
premium for an eligible individual may not be modified more
frequently than every 12 months.
(2) For a contract that a carrier has discontinued offering, the
premium applied to the first rating period of the new contract that
the federally eligible defined individual elects to purchase shall be
no greater than the premium applied in the prior rating period to
the discontinued contract.
SEC. 8. Section 10901.9 is added to the
Insurance Code , to read:
10901.9. Commencing on January 1, 2014, premiums for health
benefit plans offered, delivered, amended, or renewed by carriers
shall be subject to the following requirements:
(a) The premium for in force or new business for a federally
eligible defined individual shall not exceed the premium for the
second lowest cost silver plan of the individual market in the rating
area in which the individual resides which is offered through the
California Health Benefit Exchange established under Title 22
(commencing with Section 100500) of the Government Code, as described
in Section 36B(b)(3)(B) of Title 26 of the United States Code.
(b) For a contract that a carrier has discontinued offering, the
premium applied to the first rating period of the new contract that
the federally eligible defined individual elects to purchase shall be
no greater than the premium applied in the prior rating period to
the discontinued contract.
SEC. 9. No reimbursement is required by this act
pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local
agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a
new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or
changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of
Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a
crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the
California Constitution.
SECTION 1. Section 100503 of the Government
Code is amended to read:
100503. In addition to meeting the minimum requirements of
Section 1311 of the federal act, the board shall do all of the
following:
(a) Determine the criteria and process for eligibility,
enrollment, and disenrollment of enrollees and potential enrollees in
the Exchange and coordinate that process with the state and local
government entities administering other health care coverage
programs, including the State Department of Health Care Services, the
Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board, and California counties, in
order to ensure consistent eligibility and enrollment processes and
seamless transitions between coverage.
(b) Develop processes to coordinate with the county entities that
administer eligibility for the Medi-Cal program and the entity that
determines eligibility for the Healthy Families Program, including,
but not limited to, processes for case transfer, referral, and
enrollment in the Exchange of individuals applying for assistance to
those entities, if allowed or required by federal law.
(c) Determine the minimum requirements a carrier must meet to be
considered for participation in the Exchange, and the standards and
criteria for selecting qualified health plans to be offered through
the Exchange that are in the best interests of qualified individuals
and qualified small employers. The board shall consistently and
uniformly apply these requirements, standards, and criteria to all
carriers. In the course of selectively contracting for health care
coverage offered to qualified individuals and qualified small
employers through the Exchange, the board shall seek to contract with
carriers so as to provide health care coverage choices that offer
the optimal combination of choice, value, quality, and service.
(d) Provide, in each region of the state, a choice of qualified
health plans at each of the five levels of coverage contained in
subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 1302 of the federal act.
(e) Require, as a condition of participation in the Exchange,
carriers to fairly and affirmatively offer, market, and sell in the
Exchange at least one product within each of the five levels of
coverage contained in subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 1302 of the
federal act. The board may require carriers to offer additional
products within each of those five levels of coverage. This
subdivision shall not apply to a carrier that solely offers
supplemental coverage in the Exchange under paragraph (10) of
subdivision (a) of Section 100504.
(f) (1) Require, as a condition of participation in the Exchange,
carriers that sell products outside the Exchange to do both of the
following:
(A) Fairly and affirmatively offer, market, and sell all products
made available to individuals in the Exchange to individuals
purchasing coverage outside the Exchange.
(B) Fairly and affirmatively offer, market, and sell all products
made available to small employers in the Exchange to small employers
purchasing coverage outside the Exchange.
(2) For purposes of this subdivision, "product" does not include
contracts entered into pursuant to Part 6.2 (commencing with Section
12693) of Division 2 of the Insurance Code between the Managed Risk
Medical Insurance Board and carriers for enrolled Healthy Families
beneficiaries or contracts entered into pursuant to Chapter 7
(commencing with Section 14000) of, or Chapter 8 (commencing with
Section 14200) of, Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and
Institutions Code between the State Department of Health Care
Services and carriers for enrolled Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
(g) Determine when an enrollee's coverage commences and the extent
and scope of coverage.
(h) Provide for the processing of applications and the enrollment
and disenrollment of enrollees.
(i) Determine and approve cost-sharing provisions for qualified
health plans.
(j) Establish uniform billing and payment policies for qualified
health plans offered in the Exchange to ensure consistent enrollment
and disenrollment activities for individuals enrolled in the
Exchange.
(k) Undertake activities necessary to market and publicize the
availability of health care coverage and federal subsidies through
the Exchange. The board shall also undertake outreach and enrollment
activities that seek to assist enrollees and potential enrollees with
enrolling and reenrolling in the Exchange in the least burdensome
manner, including populations that may experience barriers to
enrollment, such as the disabled and those with limited English
language proficiency.
(l) Select and set performance standards and compensation for
navigators selected under subdivision (l) of Section 100502.
(m) Employ necessary staff.
(1) The board shall hire a chief fiscal officer, a chief
operations officer, a director for the SHOP Exchange, a director of
Health Plan Contracting, a chief technology and information officer,
a general counsel, and other key executive positions, as determined
by the board, who shall be exempt from civil service.
(2) (A) The board shall set the salaries for the exempt positions
described in paragraph (1) and subdivision (i) of Section 100500 in
amounts that are reasonably necessary to attract and retain
individuals of superior qualifications. The salaries shall be
published by the board in the board's annual budget. The board's
annual budget shall be posted on the Internet Web site of the
Exchange. To determine the compensation for these positions, the
board shall cause to be conducted, through the use of independent
outside advisors, salary surveys of both of the following:
(i) Other state and federal health insurance exchanges that are
most comparable to the Exchange.
(ii) Other relevant labor pools.
(B) The salaries established by the board under subparagraph (A)
shall not exceed the highest comparable salary for a position of that
type, as determined by the surveys conducted pursuant to
subparagraph (A).
(C) The Department of Human Resources shall review the methodology
used in the surveys conducted pursuant to subparagraph (A).
(3) The positions described in paragraph (1) and subdivision (i)
of Section 100500 shall not be subject to otherwise applicable
provisions of the Government Code or the Public Contract Code and,
for those purposes, the Exchange shall not be considered a state
agency or public entity.
(n) Assess a charge on the qualified health plans offered by
carriers that is reasonable and necessary to support the development,
operations, and prudent cash management of the Exchange. This charge
shall not affect the requirement under Section 1301 of the federal
act that carriers charge the same premium rate for each qualified
health plan whether offered inside or outside the Exchange.
(o) Authorize expenditures, as necessary, from the California
Health Trust Fund to pay program expenses to administer the Exchange.
(p) Keep an accurate accounting of all activities, receipts, and
expenditures, and annually submit to the United States Secretary of
Health and Human Services a report concerning that accounting.
Commencing January 1, 2016, the board shall conduct an annual audit.
(q) (1) Annually prepare a written report on the implementation
and performance of the Exchange functions during the preceding fiscal
year, including, at a minimum, the manner in which funds were
expended and the progress toward, and the achievement of, the
requirements of this title. This report shall be transmitted to the
Legislature and the Governor and shall be made available to the
public on the Internet Web site of the Exchange. A report made to the
Legislature pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted pursuant
to Section 9795.
(2) In addition to the report described in paragraph (1), the
board shall be responsive to requests for additional information from
the Legislature, including providing testimony and commenting on
proposed state legislation or policy issues. The Legislature finds
and declares that activities including, but not limited to,
responding to legislative or executive inquiries, tracking and
commenting on legislation and regulatory activities, and preparing
reports on the implementation of this title and the performance of
the Exchange, are necessary state requirements and are distinct from
the promotion of legislative or regulatory modifications referred to
in subdivision (d) of Section 100520.
(r) Maintain enrollment and expenditures to ensure that
expenditures do not exceed the amount of revenue in the fund, and if
sufficient revenue is not available to pay estimated expenditures,
institute appropriate measures to ensure fiscal solvency.
(s) Exercise all powers reasonably necessary to carry out and
comply with the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of this
act and the federal act.
(t) Consult with stakeholders relevant to carrying out the
activities under this title, including, but not limited to, all of
the following:
(1) Health care consumers who are enrolled in health plans.
(2) Individuals and entities with experience in facilitating
enrollment in health plans.
(3) Representatives of small businesses and self-employed
individuals.
(4) The State Medi-Cal Director.
(5) Advocates for enrolling hard-to-reach populations.
(u) Facilitate the purchase of qualified health plans in the
Exchange by qualified individuals and qualified small employers no
later than January 1, 2014.
(v) Report, or contract with an independent entity to report, to
the Legislature by December 1, 2018, on whether to adopt the option
in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 1312 of the federal
act to merge the individual and small employer markets. In its
report, the board shall provide information, based on at least two
years of data from the Exchange, on the potential impact on rates
paid by individuals and by small employers in a merged individual and
small employer market, as compared to the rates paid by individuals
and small employers if a separate individual and small employer
market is maintained. A report made pursuant to this subdivision
shall be submitted pursuant to Section 9795.
(w) With respect to the SHOP Program, collect premiums and
administer all other necessary and related tasks, including, but not
limited to, enrollment and plan payment, in order to make the
offering of employee plan choice as simple as possible for qualified
small employers.
(x) Require carriers participating in the Exchange to immediately
notify the Exchange, under the terms and conditions established by
the board, when an individual is or will be enrolled in or
disenrolled from a qualified health plan offered by the carrier.
(y) Ensure that the Exchange provides oral interpretation services
in any language for individuals seeking coverage through the
Exchange and makes available a toll-free telephone number for the
hearing and speech impaired. The board shall ensure that written
information made available by the Exchange is presented in a plainly
worded, easily understandable format and made available in prevalent
languages.