(1) The association is comprised of all health carriers issuing or renewing health benefit plans in Washington state and all third-party administrators conducting business on behalf of residents of Washington state or Washington health care providers and facilities. Third-party administrators are subject to registration under RCW 70.290.075.

(2) The association is a nonprofit corporation under chapter 24.03A RCW and has the powers granted under that chapter.

(3) The board of directors includes the following voting members:

(a) Four members, selected from health carriers or third-party administrators, excluding health maintenance organizations, that have the most fully insured and self-funded covered lives in Washington state. The count of total covered lives includes enrollment in all companies included in their holding company system. Each health carrier or third-party administrator is entitled to no more than a single position on the board to represent all entities under common ownership or control.

(b) One member selected from the health maintenance organization having the most fully insured and self-insured covered lives in Washington state. The count of total lives includes enrollment in all companies included in its holding company system. Each health maintenance organization is entitled to no more than a single position on the board to represent all entities under common ownership or control.

(c) One member, representing health carriers not otherwise represented on the board under (a) or (b) of this subsection, who is elected from among the health carrier members not designated under (a) or (b) of this subsection.

(d) One member, representing Taft Hartley plans, appointed by the secretary from a list of nominees submitted by the Northwest administrators association.

(e) One member representing Washington state employers offering self-funded health coverage, appointed by the secretary from a list of nominees submitted by the Puget Sound health alliance.

(f) Two physician members appointed by the secretary, including at least one board certified pediatrician.

(g) The secretary, or a designee of the secretary with expertise in childhood immunization purchasing and distribution.

(4) The directors' terms and appointments must be specified in the plan of operation adopted by the association.

(5) The board of directors of the association must:

(a) Prepare and adopt articles of association and bylaws;

(b) Prepare and adopt a plan of operation. The plan of operation must include a dispute mechanism through which a carrier or third-party administrator can challenge an assessment determination by the board under RCW 70.290.040. The board must include a means to bring unresolved disputes to an impartial decision maker as a component of the dispute mechanism;

(c) Submit the plan of operation to the secretary for approval;

(d) Conduct all activities in accordance with the approved plan of operation;

(e) Enter into contracts as necessary or proper to collect and disburse the assessment;

(f) Enter into contracts as necessary or proper to administer the plan of operation;

(g) Sue or be sued, including taking any legal action necessary or proper for the recovery of any assessment for, on behalf of, or against members of the association or other participating person;

(h) Appoint, from among its directors, committees as necessary to provide technical assistance in the operation of the association, including the hiring of independent consultants as necessary;

(i) Obtain such liability and other insurance coverage for the benefit of the association, its directors, officers, employees, and agents as may in the judgment of the board of directors be helpful or necessary for the operation of the association;

(j) On an annual basis, beginning no later than November 1, 2010, and by November 1st of each year thereafter, establish the estimated amount of the assessment;

(k) Notify, in writing, each health carrier and third-party administrator of the health carrier's or third-party administrator's estimated total assessment by November 15th of each year;

(l) Submit a periodic report to the secretary listing those health carriers or third-party administrators that failed to remit their assessments and audit health carrier and third-party administrator books and records for accuracy of assessment payment submission;

(m) Allow each health carrier or third-party administrator no more than ninety days after the notification required by (k) of this subsection to remit any amounts in arrears or submit a payment plan, subject to approval by the association and initial payment under an approved payment plan;

(n) Deposit annual assessments collected by the association, less the association's administrative costs, with the state treasurer to the credit of the universal vaccine purchase account established in RCW 43.70.720;

(o) Borrow and repay such working capital, reserve, or other funds as, in the judgment of the board of directors, may be helpful or necessary for the operation of the association; and

(p) Perform any other functions as may be necessary or proper to carry out the plan of operation and to affect any or all of the purposes for which the association is organized.

(6) The secretary must convene the initial meeting of the association board of directors.

Effective date—2021 c 176: See note following RCW 24.03A.005.