11. a. An organized delivery system which receives compensation on a basis that entails the assumption of financial risk shall submit an application for licensure to the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance. The organized delivery system may continue to operate during the pendency of its application, but in no case longer than 12 months after the date of submission of the application to the Department of Banking and Insurance, unless the commissioner, by regulation, extends the 12-month limitation. In the event the application is denied, the applicant shall be treated as an organized delivery system whose license has been revoked pursuant to sections 23 and 24 of this act.

Notwithstanding the obligations imposed by this act regarding licensure requirements, nothing in this subsection shall operate to impair any contract in force on the effective date of this act, but this act shall apply to any contract renewed on or after the effective date of this act.

b. An organized delivery system which receives compensation on a basis that entails the assumption of financial risk, but meets the criteria set forth in this subsection, may apply to the commissioner for an exemption from the licensure requirements of this act based on the system’s current contractual arrangements.

The commissioner may grant the exemption for such period of time that the commissioner determines that the financial risk of the organized delivery system is de minimis because the organized delivery system’s exposure to financial loss is limited in amount or likelihood to the degree that it reasonably will not prevent the system from satisfying the liabilities imposed under the terms of its contracts.

The commissioner may revoke the organized delivery system’s exemption from licensure, after notice and an opportunity to be heard, if the commissioner determines that the system’s contracts no longer meet the requirements for exemption set forth in this subsection. Upon revocation of the exemption, the system shall be required to obtain licensure from the department within 90 days.

c. An organized delivery system that is granted an exemption from licensure shall apply to and obtain certification as an organized delivery system from the Department of Banking and Insurance pursuant to the provisions of this act.

d. A licensed organized delivery system shall not directly issue health benefits plans.

L.1999, c.409, s.11; amended 2012, c.17, s.47.