§ 26.1-17-05 — Authority of corporation writing hospital service contracts

In addition to any other powers granted by law, a health service corporation writing hospital
service contracts may:
1. Enter into contracts for the rendering of hospital service to any of its subscribers with
hospitals maintained and operated by the state or any of its political subdivisions, or by
any corporation, limited liability company, association, or individual. The hospital
service plan operated by the corporation may provide for hospital service and other
related health services, excluding the practice of medicine, as advancements in health
care and treatment warrant the extension and providing of such services and in case
of emergency or expediency. All hospital and related health services provided are
subject to the approval of the health service corporation.
2. Make and enter into mutual agreements with hospitals or groups of hospitals, nursing
homes, and other vendors and furnishers of health care services and other related
facilities, excluding the practice of medicine.
3. Make and enter into mutual agreements with state, federal, or other governmental
agencies to provide hospital services, nursing home care, and other related health
services, excluding the practice of medicine, including health care services for the
needy and other persons.
4. Make and enter into mutual agreements with any other health care corporation or with
any state or local government or agency thereof to provide health care administrative
services, to act as administrator of any other health care service plan, or to act as a
marketing agency or as a fiscal intermediary of any health care plan or of any other
health care organization or of any state or local government or agency.
5. Enter into contracts with other corporations, including insurance companies but only
with prior approval of the commissioner, or other entities in this state or in other states
or possessions of the United States, or of Canada or other foreign countries so that:
a. Reciprocity of benefits may be provided to subscribers.
b. Transfer of subscribers from one entity to another may be effected to conform to
the subscriber's place of residence.
c. Uniform benefits may be provided for all employees and dependents of such
employees of entities and other organizations transacting business in this state
and elsewhere and a rate representing the composite experience of the areas
involved may be charged for such employees and their dependents.
d. Health services may be provided for subscribers or policyholders of this or other
corporations, including insurers, or entities for the purpose of ceding or accepting
reinsurance or of jointly providing benefits, underwriting, pooling, mutualization,
equalization, and other joint undertakings which the governing board may from
time to time approve.