The commissioner must notify the health maintenance organization and the State Health Officer if denial, suspension, or revocation grounds exist, and must follow hearing and appeal steps on request.
(a) When the commissioner has cause to believe that grounds for the denial of an application for a certificate of authority exist, or that grounds for the suspension or revocation of a certificate of authority exist, he shall notify the health maintenance organization and the State Health Officer in writing specifically stating the grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation. If so requested in writing by the health maintenance organization, the commissioner shall set a hearing on the matter within 30 days of the receipt of such request. (b) The State Health Officer, or his designated representative, shall be in attendance at the hearing and shall participate in the proceedings. The recommendation and findings of the State Health Officer with respect to matters relating to the quality of health care services provided in connection with any decision regarding denial, suspension, or revocation of a certificate of authority, shall be conclusive and binding upon the commissioner. Within 30 days after such hearing, or upon the failure of the health maintenance organization to appear at such hearing, the commissioner shall take action as is deemed advisable on written findings which shall be mailed to the health maintenance organization with a copy thereof to the State Health Officer. The health maintenance organization can appeal the action of the commissioner and the recommendation and findings of the State Health Officer to the Circuit Court of Montgomery County by filing an appeal to such court within 30 days of the receipt of such findings. The court may, in disposing of the issue before it, modify, affirm, or reverse the order of the commissioner in whole or in part. (c) Those provisions of this title, relating to the suspension, denial, or revocation of a certificate of authority, shall apply to proceedings under this section.