§16-2J-3 Authorization of preventive care pilot program; number of participants and sites; Health Care Authority considerations in selection of participating providers; funding.
§16-2J-3. Authorization of preventive care pilot program; number of participants and sites; Health Care Authority considerations in selection of participating providers; funding.
(a) The Health Care Authority shall, in consultation with the Insurance Commissioner, develop and implement during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2006, a pilot program that permits providers to market and sell prepaid memberships entitling subscribers to obtain preventive and primary health care from the participating providers. Participating providers shall not be allowed to offer their qualifying services at more than six separate sites. The pilot program shall expire on June 30, 2011: Provided, That those providers which are in operation shall continue to have the ability to offer the prepaid health services as provided under the pilot until such time as they chose to end the service.
(b) Subject to this article, the Health Care Authority is vested with discretion to select providers using diversity in practice organization, geographical diversity and other criteria it deems appropriate. The Health Care Authority also shall give consideration to providers located in rural areas or serving a high percentage or large numbers of uninsured.
(c) In furtherance of the objectives of this article, the Health Care Authority is authorized to accept any and all gifts, grants and matching funds whether in the form of money or services. However, no gifts, grants and matching funds shall be provided to the Health Care Authority by the State of West Virginia to further the objectives of this article.