§ 58-90-10. Commission Duties and Responsibilities. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 58‑90‑10. Commission Duties and Responsibilities.

(a)        The Commissionshall do the following:

(1)        Adopt procedures andimplement other administrative requirements necessary to carry out its dutiesunder this Article.

(2)        Identify andevaluate comprehensively the problems small employers face when they attempt toobtain health insurance coverage for themselves and their employees andconsider the impact these problems have for large employees and the communitiesthey serve.

(3)        Initiate regionaldemonstration projects to pilot innovative health care plans and products toaddress the problems identified. Innovative products may include pilotedcommunity education programs targeted at top illnesses in an effort to increaseearly detection of these illnesses. Innovative plans may also include pilotedprograms targeted at increasing the demand for health insurance coverage byboth employers and employees through the use of policy incentives. Innovativeplans and products are subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Insuranceas provided in G.S. 58‑90‑20.

(4)        Develop clear andsubstantive recommendations for actions that must be taken by health insurancecarriers, health care providers, government, small business employers, largebusiness employers, consumers, and consumer groups, in order to improve theavailability and affordability of small employer health insurance coveragewithin the next three years.

(5)        Provide a report onthe Commission's activities to the 2005 General Assembly, Regular Session 2006,upon its convening. Reports to the General Assembly shall include proposedlegislation necessary to carry out the purposes of this Article.

(b)        The Commissionshall consider the following issues and strategies in developing regionaldemonstration projects and other approaches to address the rising cost ofhealth care:

(1)        Feasibility ofestablishing chronic disease management programs similar to those that areworking successfully in this State and other states.

(2)        The cost‑effectivenessof existing and proposed health insurance coverage mandates.

(3)        Promotingcollaboration among providers, insurers, government agencies, and consumers toimprove health care affordability.

(4)        Promoting consumereducation about available insurance products and promoting education of smallbusiness owners about the available insurance products, available services toassist them in understanding and selecting appropriate insurance plans, andcurrent small business tax benefits regarding health insurance deductions.

(5)        Review and evaluate"consumer driven" benefit plans.

(6)        Increasing effortsand resources to educate and motivate consumers to use health care resourcesappropriately.

(7)        Rewardingtechnological innovation based in quality and evidence‑based outcomesthat provide increased value to consumers over existing treatments.

(8)        Encourage casemanagement of high utilizers.

(9)        Promoting evidence‑basedmedicine. (2004‑175,s. 3(a) and 3(b).)