211 CMR 151.04 - Approval as a Qualified Association

(1) An Association must be approved by the Commissioner as a Qualified Association according to the requirements set forth in 211 CMR 151.00 in order for its Eligible Association Members or its Qualified Association Members' Eligible Employees and Eligible Dependents to be offered Health Benefit Plans through a certified Group Purchasing Cooperative.

(2) Approval as a Qualified Association pursuant to 211 CMR 151.00 shall remain in effect for 12 months, unless sooner suspended or revoked by the Commissioner. A Qualified Association's approval will expire after twelve months if the Qualified Association does not timely file its annual filing.

(3) A Qualified Association may file an application to be a certified Group Purchasing Cooperative or participate in a Massachusetts nonprofit or a not-for-profit corporation that files an application to be a certified Group Purchasing Cooperative.

(4) If the Commissioner determines that a Qualified Association has become ineligible to be a Qualified Association, he or she shall notify the Association of such determination, in writing, stating the reason(s) for such determination. The Commissioner shall also provide notice of this determination to any certified Group Purchasing Cooperative that has contracted with that Association to offer coverage to members of that Association.

(5) In the event that a Qualified Association becomes ineligible to be a Qualified Association, the Group Purchasing Cooperative will notify contracting Carriers not to accept any new applications for Group Purchasing Cooperative coverage from the in eligible Association's Eligible Employers or Eligible Association Members following the date of date of such notification. The Carriers who have contracted with the certified Group Purchasing Cooperative shall continue the coverage obtained by members of the Association through but not beyond the next renewal date of the Health Benefit Plan unless the Eligible Employer becomes a member of another Qualified Association and thereby retains eligibility for the Health Benefit Plan.

Notes

211 CMR 151.04