§41-9-903. Execution of contract to provide benefits; bidding procedure and evaluation guidelines; contract to cover all state residents; reinsurance authorization; insured to receive certificate detailing coverage.

(a) The board shall execute a contract to provide the benefits under the plan of health insurance coverage and said contract shall be subject to the provisions of Section 27-1-10.

(b) Before entering into any contract, the board may seek competitive bids from all qualified insurers who may wish to offer plans for the health insurance coverage desired. The board may award the contract on a competitive basis as determined by the benefits afforded, the costs to be incurred by the resident insured, the experience of the offering company or agency in the group health insurance field, and its facilities for the handling of claims. In evaluating these factors, the board may employ the services of impartial professional insurance analysts or actuaries.

(c) The contract executed by the board with the selected carrier shall be a contract to cover all residents of the state, regardless of eligibility for coverage under any other group plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, insurance carriers shall not be prohibited from soliciting additional health and other types of insurance coverage with residents of the state.

(d) The board may authorize the carrier with whom the primary contract is executed to reinsure portions of the contract with other carriers which elect to be a reinsurer and who are legally qualified to enter into a reinsurance agreement under the laws of this state.

(e) Each insured who is covered under the contract shall receive a certificate setting forth the benefits to which the resident and his or her dependents are entitled, to whom benefits shall be payable, to whom claims shall be submitted, and a summary of the provisions of the contract as they affect the resident and his or her dependents.

(Acts 1993, No. 93-602, p. 980, §4.)