33-30-306. Discrimination between individuals -- restrictions -- ratesetting by commissioner prohibited. - Montana Statutes

     33-30-306. Discrimination between individuals -- restrictions -- ratesetting by commissioner prohibited. (1) No person may knowingly make or permit any unreasonable discrimination between individuals in any classification which may be established by a health service corporation and of essentially the same condition of health in the amount of dues or rates charged for any membership contract or in the benefits payable thereunder or in any of the terms and conditions of such contract or in any manner whatever.
     (2) Nothing herein contained shall, however, restrict the right of a health service corporation within the discretion of its board of directors to limit or define the classes of persons who shall be eligible to become members, to limit and to define the benefits which it will furnish, and define such benefits as it undertakes to furnish into classes or kinds. A health service corporation may make available to its members health services, or reimbursement therefor, as the board of directors of that corporation may approve.
     (3) Nothing contained in subsection (1) includes within the definition of discrimination any of the following practices:
     (a) readjustment of the rate of payment for membership in a health service corporation under a group contract based on the loss or expense experience thereunder at the end of the first or any subsequent contract year thereunder which may be made retroactive only for that contract year;
     (b) in the case of membership contracts issued on the preauthorized bank draft or similar plans, making allowance to members in an amount which fairly represents the saving in collection expense;
     (c) reduction of the rate of payment for group contracts covering a large number of members, but not exceeding savings in administrative expenses reasonably attributable to these contracts as compared with contracts offering similar benefits to smaller numbers of members;
     (d) issuing individual membership contracts on a "salary savings" or payroll deduction plan reasonably commensurate with the savings made by use of such plan.
     (4) Nothing in this chapter gives the commissioner power to fix and determine a rate level by classification or otherwise.

     History: En. 40-5918, 40-5919 by Secs. 18, 19, Ch. 319, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 40-5918(8), 40-5919.