12VAC30-120-410. Sanctions.
A. If DMAS determines that an MCO is not in compliance with applicable state or federal laws or regulations (including the requirements of or pursuant to § 1932(e)(1) of the Social Security Act (the Act), 12VAC30-120-380, or 42 CFR 438 Subpart I) or the MCO contract, DMAS may impose sanctions on the MCO pursuant to § 1932(e) of the Act and this section. The sanctions may include:
1. Limiting enrollments in the MCO by freezing voluntary member enrollments;
2. Freezing DMAS assignment of members to the MCO;
3. Limiting MCO enrollment to specific areas;
4. Denying, withholding, or retracting payments to the MCO;
5. Terminating the MCO's contract as provided in § 1932(e)(4) of the Act;
6. Civil monetary penalties as specified in 42 CFR 438.704; and
7. Appointment of temporary management for an MCO as provided in 42 CFR 438.706.
B. In the case of an MCO that has repeatedly failed to meet the requirements of §§ 1903(m) and 1932(e) of the Social Security Act, DMAS shall, regardless of what other sanctions are imposed, impose the following sanctions:
1. Appoint a temporary manager to:
a. Oversee the operation of the Medicaid managed care organization upon a finding by DMAS that there is continued egregious behavior by the organization or there is a substantial risk to the health of members; or
b. Ensure the health of the organization's members if there is a need for temporary management while (i) there is an orderly termination or reorganization of the organization or (ii) improvements are made to remedy the violations found under subsection A of this section. Temporary management under this subdivision may not be terminated until DMAS has determined that the MCO has the capability to ensure that the violations shall not recur.
2. Permit members who are enrolled with the MCO to disenroll without cause. If this sanction is imposed, DMAS shall be responsible for notifying such members of the right to disenroll.
C. Prior to terminating a contract as permitted under § 1932(e)(4) of the Act, DMAS shall provide the MCO with a hearing. DMAS shall not provide an MCO with a predetermination hearing before the appointment of a temporary manager under subdivision B 1 of this section.
D. Prior to imposing any sanction other than termination of the MCO's contract, DMAS shall provide the MCO with notice, develop procedures with which the MCO must comply to eliminate specific sanctions, and provide such other due process protections as the Commonwealth may provide.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 1998; Volume 19, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2002; Volume 19, Issue 23, eff. August 27, 2003; Volume 21, Issue 11, eff. March 10, 2005; Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 27, 2016; Volume 35, Issue 14, eff. April 18, 2019.