BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 1846
                                                                  Page  1

          CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
          AB 1846 (Gordon)
          As Amended August 21, 2012
          Majority vote
           
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          |ASSEMBLY:  |51-26|(May 29, 2012)  |SENATE: |22-13|(August 23,    |
          |           |     |                |        |     |2012)          |
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           Original Committee Reference:    HEALTH  

           SUMMARY  :  Establishes a licensing framework at the California 
          Department of Insurance (CDI) and the Department of Managed 
          Health Care (DMHC) for Consumer Operated and Oriented Plans 
          (CO-OPs), which may be established and seek funding under the 
          Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

           The Senate amendments  :

          1)Add intent that a CO-OP operated as a health care service plan 
            in California be subject to all state requirements applicable 
            to health care service plans, including, but not limited to, 
            licensure requirements, operation and renewal requirements, 
            and financial responsibility requirements.

          2)Prohibit a board member or staff of the CO-OP from entering 
            into an agreement or transaction that would jeopardize member 
            control as specified.  Permits a board member or staff of the 
            CO-OP to only enter into arm's length transactions as 
            described in specified federal regulations.

          3)Subject a CO-OP admitted as a CO-OP insurer to be subject to 
            the same premium taxes as are imposed on for-profit health 
            insurers with a certificate of authority from the Insurance 
            Commissioner.

          4)Delete requirements subjecting a CO-OP that contracts with the 
            Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) to the same requirements, 
            terms, and conditions as those imposed on other carriers 
            participating in the Exchange.

          5)Delete a provision which makes a violation of this bill 
            grounds for revocation of a CO-OPs license.









                                                                  AB 1846
                                                                  Page  2

           AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY  , this bill was substantially similar 
          to the version as passed by the Senate.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :  According to the Senate Appropriations 
          Committee:

          1)One-time costs to DMHC to develop policies and adopt 
            regulations of about $90,000 (Managed Care Fund).

          2)One-time costs to CDI to develop policies and adopt 
            regulations of about $80,000 (Insurance Fund).

          3)Minor ongoing costs for enforcement (Managed Care Fund and 
            Insurance Fund) as the number of CO-OPs seeking licensure in 
            the state is likely to be small.


           Analysis Prepared by  :    Teri Boughton / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097 
                                                       


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