Section 17B:27A-11 - Powers, authority of program, boardThe program shall have the general powers and authority granted under the laws of New Jersey to insurance companies, health service corporations and health maintenance organizations licensed or approved to transact business in this State, except that the program shall not have the power to issue health benefits plans directly to either groups or individuals.
The board shall have the specific authority to:
a. assess members their proportionate share of program losses and administrative expenses in accordance with the provisions of section 11 of this act, and make advance interim assessments, as may be reasonable and necessary for organizational and reasonable operating expenses and estimated losses. An interim assessment shall be credited as an offset against any regular assessment due following the close of the fiscal year;b. establish rules, conditions, and procedures pertaining to the sharing of program losses and administrative expenses among the members of the program;c. (Deleted by amendment, P.L. 2008, c. 38).d. define the provisions of individual health benefits plans in accordance with the requirements of this act;e. enter into contracts which are necessary or proper to carry out the provisions and purposes of this act;f. establish a procedure for the joint distribution of information on individual health benefits plans issued pursuant to section 3 of this act;g. establish, at the board's discretion, standards for the application of a means test for individual health benefits plans issued pursuant to section 3 of this act;h. establish, at the board's discretion, reasonable guidelines for the purchase of new individual health benefits plans by persons who already are enrolled in or insured by another individual health benefits plan;i. establish minimum requirements for performance standards for carriers that are reimbursed for losses submitted to the program and provide for performance audits from time to time;j. sue or be sued, including taking any legal actions necessary or proper for recovery of an assessment for, on behalf of, or against the program or a member;k. appoint from among its members appropriate legal, actuarial, and other committees as necessary to provide technical and other assistance in the operation of the program, in policy and other contract design, and any other function within the authority of the program;l. borrow money to effect the purposes of the program. Any notes or other evidence of indebtedness of the program not in default shall be legal investments for carriers and may be carried as admitted assets; andm. contract for an independent actuary and any other professional services the board deems necessary to carry out its duties under P.L. 1992, c.161 (C.17B:27A-2 et al.).Amended by L. 2008, c. 38,s. 17, eff. 1/4/2009.L.1992, c.161, s.10; 1993, c.164, s.6.