New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 13 - INSURANCE
Chapter 10 - HEALTH INSURANCE
Part 10 - MEDICAL INSURANCE POOL PLAN OF OPERATION
Section 13.10.10.14 - OPERATIONS
Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 6, March 26, 2024
In addition to the powers granted in Section 59A-54-7 NMSA 1978:
A. The board may employ such persons, firms, or corporations to perform such executive and administrative functions as are necessary for the board's performance of the duties imposed on the pool. The board may use the mailing address of the pool administrator or as otherwise directed by the board. Such persons, firms, or corporations shall keep such records of its activities as may be required by the board. The pool administrator shall maintain the financial records of the pool. Board records and documents may be maintained by the administrator or as otherwise directed by the board.
B. The board may hire or contract with such persons or organizations as attorneys at law, actuaries, accountants, claims personnel, and such other specialists or persons or organizations with expertise in such areas and whose advice or assistance is deemed by the board to be necessary to the discharge of its duties imposed by law. The board may agree to compensate such persons or organizations so as to best serve the interest of the pool and the public.
C. The board may open one or more bank accounts for use in pool business. The board may make reasonable delegations of deposit and withdrawal authority to such accounts consistent with prudent fiscal policy. The board may borrow money from any person or organization, including a member or from a contracting firm or entity as the board may deem advantageous for the pool and the public. The pool administrator is responsible for handling, safeguarding, and disbursing the funds of the pool subject and responsible to the board.
D. The board may review the act and other appropriate insurance laws and regulations in order to make recommendations to the superintendent for the improved operation of the pool.
E. The board shall promptly inform the superintendent of the failure of any member to pay an assessment after 30 days' written notice to the member that payment is due. If a member fails to pay its assessment and penalty within 30 days' written notice of the penalty, the board may disenroll the member from the pool. The penalty and notice and any notice of disenrollment shall be mailed by registered mail return receipt requested. If a member loses its membership status, the pool administrator shall promptly forward notice of disenrollment to the superintendent. Reinstatement of membership can only occur if all assessments and penalties still owing are paid in full and if the superintendent notifies the pool that the former member has a current certificate of authority to transact insurance business in New Mexico.
F. A penalty of one percent of the unpaid assessment or $1,000.00, whichever is larger, plus interest on the assessment will be assessed against delinquent members. Interest shall be paid at a rate of prime rate plus two percent per annum. The prime rate shall be defined as the prime rate as published in the money rates section of the Wall Street journal on the last day of publication prior to the date the unpaid assessment is paid. If an insurer wishes to contest an assessment but is willing to pay, under protest, the amount of the assessment during the pendency of the adjudication process, no penalty will be assessed. If the member is successful in its protest, then the pool shall refund the amount of the assessment to the member and pay the member interest at the rate earned by the pool in the interim. The fact that a member is paying under protest must be disclosed at the time of payment.
