(a) The powers of a health maintenance organization include, but are not limited to the following:
Terms Used In Alabama Code 27-21A-4
Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
property: includes both real and personal property. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(1) The purchase, lease, construction, renovation, operation, or maintenance of hospitals, medical facilities, or both, and their ancillary equipment;(2) The making of loans other than in the ordinary course of business, to providers under contract with it in furtherance of its program or the making of loans to a corporation or corporations in which it owns a majority interest for the purpose of acquiring or constructing medical facilities and hospitals or in furtherance of a program providing health care services to enrollees.(3) The furnishing of health care services through providers which are under contract with or employed by the health maintenance organization.(4) The contracting with any person for the performance on its behalf of certain functions such as marketing, enrollment, and administration.(5) The purchase, lease, construction, or renovation of property as may reasonably be required for its principal office or for such purposes as may be necessary in the transaction of the business of the organization;(6) The contracting with an insurance company licensed in this state to do business in this state, or a health care service plan authorized to transact business in this state, for the provision of insurance, indemnity, or reimbursement against the cost of health care services provided by the health maintenance organization.(7) The offering of other health care services, in addition to basic health care services or other required health care services.(b)(1) A health maintenance organization shall file notice, assuring compliance with any applicable state or federal laws, with adequate supporting information, with the commissioner prior to the exercise of any power granted in subsections (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(4). The commissioner shall disapprove such exercise of power only if in his opinion it would substantially and adversely affect the financial soundness of the health maintenance organization and endanger its ability to meet its obligations. If the commissioner does not disapprove within 30 days of the filing, it shall be deemed approved.(2) The commissioner may promulgate rules and regulations exempting from the filing requirement of subdivision (b)(1) those activities having a de minimis effect.
