(A) The director or his designee, in lieu of revocation or suspension of a certificate of authority under § 38-33-180, may levy an administrative penalty of not more than fifteen thousand dollars for each violation of state or federal law the Department of Insurance is authorized to enforce or ground as prescribed therein. A series of acts by an organization which merely implement a basic violation and are not separate and distinct violations of an independent nature are considered to be part of the basic violation and only one penalty may be imposed. A monetary penalty may be imposed under this paragraph only after notice and an opportunity to be heard have been afforded in accordance with § 38-33-210.

(B) Whenever the director or his designee has reason to believe that any person has transacted the business of, or is about to transact the business of, a health maintenance organization without a certificate of authority, he may cause a complaint to be filed in the court of common pleas of Richland County to enjoin and restrain the unauthorized transaction of business. The court has power to make and enter an order or judgment awarding such preliminary or final injunctive relief as may be necessary and proper. In addition, the court may impose a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars upon such person for each unauthorized act of business so transacted.

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 38-33-230

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Department: means the Department of Insurance of South Carolina. See South Carolina Code 38-1-20
  • Director: means the person who is appointed by the Governor upon the advice and consent of the Senate and who is responsible for the operation and management of the Department of Insurance, including all of its divisions. See South Carolina Code 38-33-20
  • Health maintenance organization: means a person who undertakes to provide or arrange for basic health care services to enrollees for a fixed prepaid premium. See South Carolina Code 38-33-20
  • insurance: includes annuities. See South Carolina Code 38-1-20
  • Person: means a natural or an artificial person including, but not limited to, individuals, partnerships, associations, trusts, or corporations. See South Carolina Code 38-33-20
  Previous section
Next section  
 Chapter 33 Contents