33-31-401. Examination. (1) The commissioner may examine the affairs of a health maintenance organization as often as is reasonably necessary to protect the interests of the people of this state. The commissioner shall make an examination at least once every 3 years.
     (2) Each authorized health maintenance organization and provider shall submit its relevant books and records for the examinations and in every way facilitate the examinations. For the purpose of examination, the commissioner may administer oaths to and examine the officers and insurance producers of the health maintenance organization and the principals of the providers concerning their business.
     (3) (a) Upon presentation of a detailed account of the charges and expenses of examinations by the commissioner, the health maintenance organization being examined shall pay to the examiner as necessarily incurred on account of the examination the actual travel expenses, a reasonable living-expense allowance, and a per diem, all at reasonable rates customary therefor and as established or adopted by the commissioner. The commissioner may present an account periodically during the course of the examination or at the termination of the examination as the commissioner considers proper. A person may not pay and an examiner may not accept any additional emolument on account of any examination.
     (b) If a health maintenance organization fails to pay the charges and expenses as referred to in subsection (3)(a), the commissioner shall pay them out of the funds of the commissioner in the same manner as other disbursements of funds. The amount so paid must be a lien upon all of the person's assets and property in this state and may be recovered by suit by the attorney general on behalf of the state of Montana and restored to the appropriate fund.
     (4) In lieu of an examination, the commissioner may accept the report of an examination made by the commissioner of another state.

     History: En. Sec. 17, Ch. 457, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 628, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 713, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 437, L. 1991.