33-38-105. Sale of medical care discount card by unregistered supplier prohibited -- requirements for registration -- list of authorized enrollers required -- exceptions. (1) A medical care discount card supplier may not market, promote, sell, or distribute a medical care discount card in this state unless the supplier holds a certificate of registration as a supplier issued by the commissioner.

(2) An application to the commissioner for a certificate of registration must be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of $100. The commissioner shall issue the certificate unless the commissioner determines that the medical care discount card supplier or an officer or manager is not financially responsible, does not have adequate expertise or experience to operate a medical care discount card business, or is not of good character or that the supplier or its affiliates or a business formerly owned or managed by the supplier or an officer or manager of the supplier has had a previous application for a certificate of registration denied, revoked, suspended, or terminated for cause or is under investigation for or has been found in violation of a statute or regulation in any jurisdiction within the previous 5 years.

(3) A medical care discount card supplier shall renew its certificate of registration annually by December 31. The certificate is renewed upon payment by the supplier of a nonrefundable renewal fee of $100 and expires on the anniversary of its issuance if the renewal fee is not paid before that date. Once issued or renewed, the certificate continues in effect for 1 year unless suspended, revoked, or terminated. The commissioner shall deposit the fees required by this section with the state treasurer, to be credited to the general fund.

(4) A certificate of registration may be suspended or revoked if, after notice and hearing, the commissioner finds that the medical care discount card supplier has violated a provision of this part, that the supplier is not financially responsible or competent, or that the supplier or an affiliate or business formerly owned or managed by the supplier has had a certificate of registration denied or suspended for cause or has been found in violation of a statute or regulation in another jurisdiction.

(5) A medical care discount card supplier that violates the provisions of subsection (1) is subject to a civil penalty of not less than $5,000 or more than $25,000 for each violation. Each day of violation is considered to be a separate violation.

(6) A medical care discount card supplier that is a health insurance issuer is not required to obtain a certificate of registration in accordance with this section, except that affiliates, as defined in 33-2-1101, that are selling medical care discount cards in Montana shall obtain a certificate of registration.

(7) An administrator that is authorized to do business in this state and that provides medical care discount cards to Montana residents who are members of self-funded group health plans administered by that administrator is not required to obtain a certificate of registration pursuant to this section.

(8) A person commencing business as a medical care discount card supplier shall file a certificate of registration and its list of authorized enrollers with the commissioner at least 30 days before commencing business as a supplier. After the initial filing of a list of its enrollers with the commissioner, a supplier shall file an updated list annually by December 31.

(9) This section does not excuse a medical care discount card supplier that is also an insurer from full compliance with the Montana Insurance Code.