A.  Whenever the commissioner has reason to believe that any health insurance issuer, utilization review organization, or independent review organization is not in full compliance with the provisions of this Chapter, he shall notify such person in accordance and compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act, La. Rev. Stat. 49:950 et seq.,  and the commissioner shall, in accordance and compliance with such Act, issue and cause to be served an order requiring the health insurance issuer, utilization review organization, or independent review organization to cease and desist from any violation and order any one or more of the following:

(1)  Payment of a monetary penalty of not more than five hundred dollars for each day that a determination was not made within the time frames established by this Chapter.

(2)  Payment of a monetary penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for each and every act or violation, but not to exceed an aggregate penalty of one hundred thousand dollars; however, if the health insurance issuer, utilization review organization, or independent review organization knew or reasonably should have known that it was in violation of this Chapter, the penalty shall be not more than twenty-five thousand dollars for each and every act or violation, but not to exceed an aggregate penalty of two hundred fifty thousand dollars in any six-month period.

(3)  Suspension or revocation of the license of the health insurance issuer’s certificate of authority to operate in this state or the license of a utilization review organization, or withdrawal of the approval of the certification of an independent review organization if the health insurance issuer, utilization review organization, or independent review organization knew or reasonably should have known that it was in violation of this Chapter.

B.  Any health insurance issuer, licensed utilization review organization, or certified independent review organization that violates a cease and desist order issued by the commissioner pursuant to this Chapter while such order is in effect shall be subject at the discretion of the commissioner to any one or more of the following:

(1)  A monetary penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars for each and every act or violation, not to exceed an aggregate of two hundred fifty thousand dollars.

(2)  Suspension or revocation of the health insurance issuer’s certificate of authority to operate in this state or the license of the utilization review organization or withdrawal of the approval of the certification of the independent review organization to operate in this state.

C.  The commissioner may withdraw his approval of the certification of an independent review organization, or the commissioner may suspend or revoke the license of an utilization review organization or the authorization of a health insurance issuer to act as an utilization review organization.  In lieu of such withdrawal of approval of its certification as an independent review organization,  the suspension or revocation of a license of an utilization review organization, or revocation of a health insurance issuer’s authority to act as an utilization review organization, a fine may be imposed for each separate violation, not to exceed five thousand dollars per violation, or twenty-five thousand dollars in the aggregate, if the commissioner finds that the utilization review organization or the health insurance issuer acting as an utilization review organization or the independent review organization has either:

(1)  Used such method or practice that constitute an unfair trade practice, pursuant to Part IV of Chapter 7 of this Title, La. Rev. Stat. 22:1961 et seq., or that such conduct of its business renders determinations in this state made pursuant to this Chapter hazardous or injurious to covered persons or the public.

(2)  Failed to comply with any provision of this Chapter.

D.  An aggrieved party affected by the commissioner’s decision, act, or order may demand a hearing in accordance with Chapter 12 of this Title, La. Rev. Stat. 22:2191 et seq.

E.  Whenever the commissioner believes, from evidence satisfactory to him, that any utilization review organization, health insurance issuer acting as a utilization review organization, or independent review organization is violating or is about to violate any provision of this Chapter or any order or requirement of the commissioner issued or promulgated pursuant to authority granted to the commissioner by any provision of this Code or by law, he may bring an action in the District Court for the Nineteenth Judicial District, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, against such utilization review organization, health insurance issuer acting as a utilization review organization, or independent review organization to enjoin such utilization review organization, health insurance issuer acting as a utilization review organization, or independent review organization from continuing such violation or engaging therein or doing any act in furtherance thereof. In any such action, an order or judgment may be entered awarding such preliminary or final injunction as is proper.

Acts 2013, No. 326, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2015.