Virginia Law

A. A certificate for quality assurance shall be issued to managed care health insurance plan licensees. The commissioner shall issue or renew a certificate of quality assurance if the MCHIP licensee is in compliance with the applicable law and this chapter. On behalf of the commissioner, and under a written delegation of authority, the department shall examine the applicants and issue the certificates for quality assurance.

B. No certificate of quality assurance may be transferred or assigned without approval of the department.

C. Every certified MCHIP licensee shall file for its certificate of quality assurance with the department biennially, subject to payment of a fee and receipt of all material required by law and this chapter.

D. Upon request, the center will provide an application form for a certificate of quality assurance. The center shall consider the application complete when all the information requested and the application fee are submitted. If the center finds the application incomplete, the applicant will be notified in writing of receipt of the incomplete application.

E. The department shall send an application for renewal of a certificate to the licensee at least 90 days prior to the expiration date of the current certificate.

F. The department shall examine or review each applicant for an initial certificate of quality assurance and periodically for renewal thereof.

G. Upon receipt of a written request from the governing body of an MCHIP licensee, the commissioner, in her sole discretion, may consider a modification and issue a temporary or permanent variance in the application of one or more of these regulations provided patient safety, care, or the ability of an MCHIP licensee to provide, arrange for, or reimburse the cost of services will not be adversely affected. The written request shall identify the reason the MCHIP licensee cannot immediately comply with the specified regulation and how any proposed modification is equal to or will meet the intent of the regulation for which a variance is requested. Upon review of the request, the commissioner may grant a temporary variance for less than a full period of certification, or a permanent variance for a full period of certification, or deny the request. Any temporary or permanent variance granted by the commissioner shall be subject to review and renewal before a certificate renewal, extension or re-issuance is granted.

H. Upon the issuance or renewal of a certificate, the department, on behalf of the commissioner and under a written delegation of authority, shall provide a certificate of quality assurance to the MCHIP licensee and a copy to the Bureau of Insurance.

I. Upon determining to deny or refuse to renew a certificate, the department, on behalf of the commissioner and under a written delegation of authority, shall notify the applicant in writing stating the reasons for the denial of the certificate. A copy of the notification of denial shall be provided to the Bureau of Insurance.

J. Appeals from a notification of denial shall be brought by a certificate applicant pursuant to the process set forth in 12VAC5-408-140.