Virginia Law

Pursuant to § 2.2-2818 of the Code of Virginia, the Department of Human Resource Management shall establish a health benefits program (the "program"), subject to the approval of the Governor, for providing accident or health benefit protection, including but not limited to chiropractic treatment, hospitalization, medical, surgical and major medical coverage for state employees and the employees of participating local employers.

The Director of the Department of Human Resource Management hereby delegates to the Director of the Office of Health Benefits the authority to:

1. Propose, design, and administer one or more accident or health plans, or both. All such approved plans will, in the aggregate, constitute the health benefits program. Any plan or plans proposed by the Office of Health Benefits shall be subject to the approval of the Director of the Department of Human Resource Management.

2. Propose regulations at any time for the purpose of the implementation, communication, funding, and administration of the health benefits program.

3. Enter into one or more contracts for the purpose of implementing, communicating, funding or administering the health benefits program. To this end, but not exclusively, such contract or contracts may be for the underwriting, the funding, and administration, including claims processing and claims adjudication, of the program. Such contracts may be for the legal, accounting and actuarial services as well as communication, statistical analysis and any other item that may be needed to effectively review and maintain the health benefits program.

4. Evaluate the effectiveness of the health benefits program or any plan which may constitute a component part, as it might relate to the objectives of such program or such component plan and make recommendations regarding the effectiveness of such program or plan in meeting such stated objectives.