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 Wisconsin Statutes (Last Updated: January 10, 2017)
 Chapter 185. Cooperatives

  Section 185.983. Requirements of plan.  

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    (1)  Every voluntary nonprofit health care plan operated by a cooperative association organized under s. 185.981 shall be exempt from chs. 600 to 646 , with the exception of ss. 601.04 , 601.13 , 601.31 , 601.41 , 601.42 , 601.43 , 601.44 , 601.45 , 611.26 , 611.67 , 619.04 , 623.11 , 623.12 , 628.34 (10) , 631.17 , 631.89 , 631.93 , 631.95 , 632.72 (2) , 632.745 to 632.749 , 632.775 , 632.79 , 632.795 , 632.798 , 632.85 , 632.853 , 632.855 , 632.867 , 632.87 (2) , (2m) , (3) , (4) , (5) , and (6) , 632.885 , 632.89 , 632.895 (5) and (8) to (17) , 632.896 , and 632.897 (10) and chs. 609 , 620 , 630 , 635 , 645 , and 646 , but the sponsoring association shall:
    (a) File with the commissioner of insurance a declaration defining the organization and operation of the plan, all printed literature, and specimen copies of all proposed contracts of insurance with persons covered and with participating physicians, hospitals, and other providers, including all amendments thereto. The form of all such contracts and amendments shall be subject to approval by the commissioner of insurance but the commissioner may not withhold approval if the form of the contracts or changes in the contracts comply with the provisions of ss. 185.981 to 185.985 .
    (b) Provide for like rates, benefits, terms and conditions for all persons in the same class.
    (c) Invest its funds only in property and securities approved for domestic life insurance companies.
    (d) File with the commissioner of insurance, on such forms as may be prescribed by the commissioner, an annual report of its financial condition as of December 31 each year, on or before the last day of February following.
    (e) Maintain sufficient reserves to discharge its obligations, having regard for the nature of its contracts and the area and number of persons covered.
    (1g)  A cooperative association that is a small employer insurer, as defined in s. 635.02 (8) , is subject to the health insurance mandates, as defined in s. 601.423 (1) , to the same extent as any other small employer insurer, as defined in s. 635.02 (8) .
    (1m)  In addition to ss. 601.04 , 601.31 , 632.79 , and 632.895 (5) , the commissioner of insurance may by rule subject a medicare supplement policy, as defined in s. 600.03 (28r) , a medicare replacement policy, as defined in s. 600.03 (28p) , or a long-term care insurance policy, as defined in s. 600.03 (28g) , that is sold by a cooperative health care association organized under s. 185.981 to other provisions of chs. 600 to 646 , except that the commissioner may not subject a medicare supplement policy, a medicare replacement policy, or a long-term care insurance policy to s. 632.895 (8) .
    (2)  Every voluntary nonprofit health care plan operated by a cooperative association organized under s. 185.981 shall make provision for a minimum of one physician and surgeon, or dentist to each 2,000 persons covered for medical or dental care and a minimum of 6 hospital beds for each 2,000 persons covered for hospital care.
    (3)  
    (a) A plan that provides coverage of pharmaceutical services when performed by one or more pharmacists who are designated by the cooperative association but who are not full-time salaried employees of the cooperative association shall provide an annual period of at least 30 days during which any pharmacist registered under ch. 450 may elect to participate in the plan under its terms as a designated health care provider for at least one year.
    (b) Except as provided in par. (c) , par. (a) applies to plans on and after May 10, 1984.
    (c) If compliance with the requirements of par. (a) during the period specified in par. (b) would impair any provision of a contract between a cooperative association and any other person, and if the contract provision was in existence prior to May 10, 1984, then immediately after the expiration of all such contract provisions the plan operated by the cooperative association shall comply with the requirements of par. (a) .