(a) If the Insurance Commissioner determines that a preferred provider network or managed care organization, or both, has not complied with any applicable provision of this part or sections 38a-815 to 38a-819, inclusive, the commissioner may (1) order the preferred provider network or managed care organization, or both if both have not complied, to cease and desist all operations in violation of this part or said sections; (2) terminate or suspend the preferred provider network's license; (3) institute a corrective action against the preferred provider network or managed care organization, or both if both have not complied; (4) order the payment of a civil penalty by the preferred provider network or managed care organization, or both if both have not complied, of not more than one thousand dollars for each and every act or violation; (5) order the payment of such reasonable expenses as may be necessary to compensate the commissioner in conjunction with any proceedings held to investigate or enforce violations of this part or sections 38a-815 to 38a-819, inclusive; and (6) use any of the commissioner's other enforcement powers to obtain compliance with this part or sections 38a-815 to 38a-819, inclusive. The commissioner may hold a hearing concerning any matter governed by this part or sections 38a-815 to 38a-819, inclusive, in accordance with section 38a-16. Subject to the same confidentiality and liability protections set forth in subsections (c) and (k) of section 38a-14, the commissioner may engage the services of attorneys, appraisers, independent actuaries, independent certified public accountants or other professionals and specialists to assist the commissioner in conducting an investigation under this section, the cost of which shall be borne by the managed care organization or preferred provider network, or both, that is the subject of the investigation.

(b) If a preferred provider network fails to comply with any applicable provision of this part or sections 38a-815 to 38a-819, inclusive, the commissioner may assign or require the preferred provider network to assign its rights and obligations under any contract with participating providers in order to ensure that covered benefits are provided.

(c) The commissioner shall receive and investigate (1) any grievance filed against a preferred provider network or managed care organization, or both, by an enrollee or an enrollee's designee concerning matters governed by this part or sections 38a-815 to 38a-819, inclusive, or (2) any referral from the Office of the Healthcare Advocate pursuant to section 38a-1041. The commissioner shall code, track and review such grievances and referrals. The preferred provider network or managed care organization, or both, shall provide the commissioner with all information necessary for the commissioner to investigate such grievances and referrals. The information collected by the commissioner pursuant to this section shall be maintained as confidential and shall not be disclosed to any person except (A) to the extent necessary to carry out the purposes of this part or sections 38a-815 to 38a-819, inclusive, (B) as allowed under this title, (C) to the Healthcare Advocate, and (D) information concerning the nature of any grievance or referral and the commissioner's final determination shall be a public record, as defined in section 1-200, provided no personal information, as defined in section 38a-975, shall be disclosed. The commissioner shall report to the Healthcare Advocate on the resolution of any matter referred to the commissioner by the Healthcare Advocate.

(P.A. 03-169, S. 5; P.A. 05-102, S. 6; P.A. 11-58, S. 79.)

History: P.A. 05-102 amended Subsec. (c) by renaming the Office of Managed Care Ombudsman the Office of the Healthcare Advocate and making conforming changes; P.A. 11-58 deleted references to Secs. 38a-226 to 38a-226d, effective July 1, 2011.