33-31-405. Penalties and enforcement. (1) The commissioner may, in addition to suspension or revocation of a certificate of authority under 33-31-402, after notice and hearing, impose an administrative penalty in an amount not less than $500 or more than $10,000 if the commissioner gives reasonable notice in writing of the intent to levy the penalty and the health maintenance organization has a reasonable time within which to remedy the defect in its operations that gave rise to the penalty citation.
     (2) If the commissioner has cause to believe that a violation of this chapter has occurred or is threatened, the commissioner may:
     (a) give notice to the health maintenance organization and to the representatives or other persons who appear to be involved in the suspected violation;
     (b) arrange a conference with the alleged violators or their authorized representatives to attempt to ascertain the facts relating to the suspected violation; and
     (c) if it appears that a violation has occurred or is threatened, arrive at an adequate and effective means of correcting or preventing the violation.
     (3) (a) The commissioner may issue an order directing a health maintenance organization or its representative to cease and desist from engaging in an act or practice in violation of this chapter.
     (b) Within 15 days after service of the cease and desist order, the respondent may request a hearing to determine whether acts or practices in violation of this chapter have occurred. The hearing must be conducted pursuant to Title 2, chapter 4, part 6, and judicial review must be available as provided by Title 2, chapter 4, part 7.
     (4) If a health maintenance organization violates a provision of this chapter and the commissioner elects not to issue a cease and desist order or if the respondent does not comply with a cease and desist order issued pursuant to subsection (3), the commissioner may institute a proceeding to obtain injunctive or other appropriate relief in the district court of Lewis and Clark County.

     History: En. Sec. 23, Ch. 457, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 437, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 1255, Ch. 56, L. 2009.