§33-25A-17. Examinations.

(a) The Commissioner may make an examination of the affairs of any health maintenance organization and providers with whom the organization has contracts, agreements or other arrangements as often as he or she considers it necessary for the protection of the interests of the people of this state but not less frequently than once every five years.

(b) The Commissioner may contract with the Department of Human Services, any entity which has been accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting organization and has been approved by the Commissioner to make examinations concerning the quality of health care services of any health maintenance organization and providers with whom the organization has contracts, agreements or other arrangements, or any entity contracted with by the Department of Human Services, as often as it considers necessary for the protection of the interests of the people of this state, but not less frequently than once every three years: Provided, That in making the examination, the Department of Human Services or the accredited entity shall use the services of persons or organizations with demonstrable expertise in assessing quality of health care.

(c) Every health maintenance organization and affiliated provider shall submit its books and records to the examinations and in every way facilitate them. For the purpose of examinations, the Commissioner and the Department of Human Services have all powers necessary to conduct the examinations, including, but not limited to, the power to issue subpoenas, the power to administer oaths to and examine the officers and agents of the health maintenance organization and the principals of the providers concerning their business.

(d) The health maintenance organization and any other entity subject to examination pursuant to this article are subject to the provisions of sections four, five, six, seven, eight and nine, article two of this chapter in regard to the expense and conduct of examinations.

(e) In lieu of the examination, the Commissioner may accept the report of an examination made by other states.

(f) The expenses of an examination assessing quality of health care under subsection (b) of this section and section seventeen-a of this article shall be reimbursed pursuant to subsection (n), section nine, article two of this chapter.