33-36-209. Use of intermediaries -- responsibilities of health carriers, intermediaries, and providers. (1) A health carrier is responsible for complying with applicable provisions of this chapter, and contracting with an intermediary for all or some of the services for which a health carrier is responsible does not relieve the health carrier of responsibility for compliance.
     (2) A health carrier may determine whether a subcontracted provider participates in the provider's own network or a contracted network for the purpose of providing covered benefits to the health carrier's covered persons.
     (3) A health carrier shall maintain copies of all intermediary health care subcontracts at the health carrier's principal place of business in this state or ensure that the health carrier has access to all intermediary subcontracts, including the right to make copies of the contracts, upon 20 days' prior written notice from the health carrier.
     (4) If required in a contract or otherwise by a health carrier, an intermediary shall transmit utilization documentation and claims-paid documentation to the health carrier. The health carrier shall monitor the timeliness and appropriateness of payments made to providers and health care services received by covered persons. This duty may not be delegated to an intermediary by a health carrier.
     (5) If required in a contract or otherwise by a health carrier, an intermediary shall maintain the books, records, financial information, and documentation of services provided to covered persons at its principal place of business in the state and preserve them for 5 years in a manner that facilitates regulatory review.
     (6) An intermediary shall allow the commissioner and the department access to the intermediary's books, records, claim information, billing information, and other documentation of services provided to covered persons that are required by any of those entities to determine compliance with this part and the rules implementing this part.
     (7) A health carrier may, in the event of the intermediary's insolvency, require the assignment to the health carrier of the provisions of a participating provider's contract addressing the participating provider's obligation to furnish covered benefits.

     History: En. Sec. 18, Ch. 413, L. 1997.