K.S.A. § 40-3403 — KS Code / Chapter 40 / Article 34 / Section 40-3403
40-3403 - Health care stabilization fund, establishment and administration; board of governors, membership, organization, meetings, executive director and staff and general powers and duties; duties of commissioner of insurance; liability of fund; payments from fund; qualification of health care provider for coverage under fund, termination; liability of provider for acts of other providers; university of Kansas medical center private practice foundation reserve fund, establishment, transfers from; provider coverage options, election; eligibility of psychiatric hospitals and certain inactive providers for coverage; termination of fund liability for certain providers.
Status: in_force

40-3403. Health care stabilization fund, establishment and administration; board of governors, membership, organization, meetings, executive director and staff and general powers and duties; duties of commissioner of insurance; liability of fund; payments from fund; qualification of health care provider for coverage under fund, termination; liability of provider for acts of other providers; university of Kansas medical center private practice foundation reserve fund, establishment, transfers from; provider coverage options, election; eligibility of psychiatric hospitals and certain inactive providers for coverage; termination of fund liability for certain providers. (a) For the purpose of paying damages for personal injury or death arising out of the rendering of or the failure to render professional services by a healthcare provider, self-insurer or inactive health care provider subsequent to the time that such healthcare provider or self-insurer has qualified for coverage under the provisions of this act, there is hereby established the healthcare stabilization fund. The fund shall be held in trust in the state treasury and accounted for separately from other state funds. The board of governors shall administer the fund or contract for the administration of the fund with an insurance company authorized to do business in this state.

(b) (1) There is hereby created a board of governors that shall be composed of such members and shall have such powers, duties and functions as are prescribed by this act. The board of governors shall:

(A) Administer the fund and exercise and perform other powers, duties and functions required of the board under the healthcare provider insurance availability act;

(B) provide advice, information and testimony to the appropriate licensing or disciplinary authority regarding the qualifications of a healthcare provider;

(C) prepare and publish, on or before October 1 of each year, a report for submission to the healthcare stabilization fund oversight committee that includes a summary of the fund's activity during the preceding fiscal year, including, but not limited to, the amount collected from surcharges, the highest and lowest surcharges assessed, the amount paid from the fund, the number of judgments paid from the fund, the number of settlements paid from the fund and the fund balance at the end of the fiscal year; and

(D) have the authority to grant temporary exemptions from the provisions of K.S.A. 40-3402 and 40-3404, and amendments thereto, to healthcare providers who have exceptional circumstances and verify in writing that the healthcare provider will not render professional services in this state during the period of exemption. Whenever the board grants such an exemption, the board shall notify the state agency that licenses the exempted healthcare provider.

(2) The board shall consist of 11 persons appointed by the commissioner of insurance, as provided by this subsection and as follows:

(A) Three members who are on a list of nominees submitted to the commissioner by the Kansas medical society, at least two of whom are doctors of medicine who are licensed to practice medicine and surgery in Kansas;

(B) three members who are on a list of nominees submitted to the commissioner by the Kansas hospital association and who are representatives of Kansas hospitals;

(C) two members who are on a list of nominees submitted to the commissioner by the Kansas association of osteopathic medicine, who are licensed to practice medicine and surgery in Kansas and who are doctors of osteopathic medicine;

(D) one member who is on a list of nominees submitted to the commissioner by the Kansas chiropractic association and who is licensed to practice chiropractic in Kansas;

(E) one member who is on a list of nominees submitted to the commissioner by the Kansas association of nurse anesthetists and who is a licensed professional nurse authorized to practice as a registered nurse anesthetist; and

(F) one member who is on a list of nominees submitted to the commissioner by statewide associations comprised of members who represent adult care homes and who is a representative of adult care homes.

(3) When a vacancy occurs in the membership of the board of governors created by this act, the commissioner shall appoint a successor of like qualifications from a list of three nominees submitted to the commissioner by the professional society or association prescribed by this section for the category of healthcare provider required for the vacant position on the board of governors. All appointments made shall be for a term of office of four years, but no member shall be appointed for more than two successive four-year terms. Each member shall serve until a successor is appointed and qualified. Whenever a vacancy occurs in the membership of the board of governors created by this act for any reason other than the expiration of a member's term of office, the commissioner shall appoint a successor of like qualifications to fill the unexpired term. In each case of a vacancy occurring in the membership of the board of governors, the commissioner shall notify the professional society or association that represents the category of healthcare provider required for the vacant position and request a list of three nominations of healthcare providers from which to make the appointment.

(4) The board of governors shall organize in July of each year and shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among its membership. Meetings shall be called by the chairperson or by a written notice signed by three members of the board.

(5) The board of governors, in addition to other duties imposed by this act, shall study and evaluate the operation of the fund and make such recommendations to the legislature as may be appropriate to ensure the viability of the fund.

(6) (A) The board shall appoint an executive director who shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act and may employ attorneys and other employees who shall also be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act. Such executive director, attorneys and other employees shall receive compensation fixed by the board, in accordance with appropriation acts of the legislature, not subject to approval of the governor.

(B) The board may provide all office space, services, equipment, materials and supplies, and all budgeting, personnel, purchasing and related management functions required by the board in the exercise of the powers, duties and functions imposed or authorized by the healthcare provider insurance availability act or may enter into a contract with the commissioner of insurance for the provision, by the commissioner, of all or any part thereof.

(7) The commissioner shall:

(A) Provide technical and administrative assistance to the board of governors with respect to administration of the fund upon request of the board; and

(B) provide such expertise as the board may reasonably request with respect to evaluation of claims or potential claims.

(c) Except as otherwise provided by any other provision of this act, the fund shall be liable to pay:

(1) Any amount due from a judgment or settlement that is in excess of the basic coverage liability of all liable resident healthcare providers or resident self-insurers for any personal injury or death arising out of the rendering of or the failure to render professional services within or without this state;

(2) subject to the provisions of subsection (f), any amount due from a judgment or settlement that is in excess of the basic coverage liability of all liable nonresident healthcare providers or nonresident self-insurers for any such injury or death arising out of the rendering or the failure to render professional services within this state but in no event shall the fund be obligated for claims against nonresident healthcare providers or nonresident self-insurers who have not complied with this act or for claims against nonresident healthcare providers or nonresident self-insurers that arose outside of this state;

(3) subject to the provisions of subsection (f), any amount due from a judgment or settlement against a resident inactive healthcare provider for any such injury or death arising out of the rendering of or failure to render professional services;

(4) subject to the provisions of subsection (f), any amount due from a judgment or settlement against a nonresident inactive healthcare provider for any injury or death arising out of the rendering or failure to render professional services within this state, but in no event shall the fund be obligated for claims against nonresident inactive healthcare providers:

(A) Who have not complied with this act; or

(B) for claims that arose outside of this state, unless such healthcare provider was a resident healthcare provider or resident self-insurer at the time such act occurred;

(5) subject to K.S.A. 40-3411(b), and amendments thereto, reasonable and necessary expenses for attorney fees, depositions, expert witnesses and other costs incurred in defending the fund against claims, and such expenditures shall not be subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 75-3738 through 75-3744, and amendments thereto;

(6) any amounts expended for reinsurance obtained to protect the best interests of the fund purchased by the board of governors, which purchase shall be subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 75-3738 through 75-3744, and amendments thereto, but shall not be subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 75-4101, and amendments thereto;

(7) reasonable and necessary actuarial expenses incurred in administering the act, including expenses for any actuarial studies contracted for by the legislative coordinating council, and such expenditures shall not be subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 75-3738 through 75-3744, and amendments thereto;

(8) periodically to the plan or plans, any amount due pursuant to K.S.A. 40-3413(a)(3), and amendments thereto;

(9) reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the board of governors in the administration of the fund or in the performance of other powers, duties or functions of the board under the healthcare provider insurance availability act;

(10) surcharge refunds payable when the notice of cancellation requirements of K.S.A. 40-3402, and amendments thereto, are met;

(11) subject to K.S.A. 40-3411(b), and amendments thereto, reasonable and necessary expenses for attorney fees and other costs incurred in defending a person engaged or who was engaged in residency training or the private practice corporations or foundations and their full-time physician faculty employed by the university of Kansas medical center or any nonprofit corporation organized to administer the graduate medical education programs of community hospitals or medical care facilities affiliated with the university of Kansas school of medicine from claims for personal injury or death arising out of the rendering of or the failure to render professional services by such healthcare provider;

(12) any amount due from a judgment or settlement for an injury or death arising out of the rendering of or failure to render professional services by a person engaged or who was engaged in residency training or the private practice corporations or foundations and their full-time physician faculty employed by the university of Kansas medical center or any nonprofit corporation organized to administer the graduate medical education programs of community hospitals or medical care facilities affiliated with the university of Kansas school of medicine;

(13) subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 65-429, and amendments thereto, reasonable and necessary expenses for the development and promotion of risk management education programs and for the medical care facility licensure and risk management survey functions carried out under K.S.A. 65-429, and amendments thereto;

(14) any amount, but not less than the required basic coverage limits, owed pursuant to a judgment or settlement for any injury or death arising out of the rendering of or failure to render professional services by a person, other than a person described in paragraph (12), who was engaged in a postgraduate program of residency training approved by the state board of healing arts but who, at the time the claim was made, was no longer engaged in such residency program;

(15) subject to K.S.A. 40-3411(b), and amendments thereto, reasonable and necessary expenses for attorney fees and other costs incurred in defending a person described in paragraph (14);

(16) expenses incurred by the commissioner in the performance of duties and functions imposed upon the commissioner by the healthcare provider insurance availability act, and expenses incurred by the commissioner in the performance of duties and functions under contracts entered into between the board and the commissioner as authorized by this section; and

(17) periodically to the state general fund reimbursements of amounts paid to members of the healthcare stabilization fund oversight committee for compensation, travel expenses and subsistence expenses pursuant to K.S.A. 40-3403b(e), and amendments thereto.

(d) All amounts for which the fund is liable pursuant to subsection (c) shall be paid promptly and in full except that, if the amount for which the fund is liable is $500,000 or more, it shall be paid by installment payments of $500,000 or 10% of the amount of the judgment including interest thereon, whichever is greater, per fiscal year, the first installment to be paid within 60 days after the fund becomes liable and each subsequent installment to be paid annually on the same date of the year the first installment was paid, until the claim has been paid in full.

(e) In no event shall the fund be liable to pay in excess of $3,000,000 pursuant to any one judgment or settlement against any one healthcare provider relating to any injury or death arising out of the rendering of or the failure to render professional services on and after July 1, 1984, and before July 1, 1989, subject to an aggregate limitation for all judgments or settlements arising from all claims made in any one fiscal year in the amount of $6,000,000 for each healthcare provider.

(f) In no event shall the fund be liable to pay in excess of the amounts specified in the option selected by an active or inactive healthcare provider pursuant to subsection (l) for judgments or settlements relating to injury or death arising out of the rendering of or failure to render professional services by such healthcare provider on or after July 1, 1989.

(g) A healthcare provider shall be deemed to have qualified for coverage under the fund:

(1) On and after July 1, 1976, if basic coverage is then in effect;

(2) subsequent to July 1, 1976, at such time as basic coverage becomes effective; or

(3) upon qualifying as a self-insurer pursuant to K.S.A. 40-3414, and amendments thereto.

(h) A healthcare provider who is qualified for coverage under the fund shall have no vicarious liability or responsibility for any injury or death arising out of the rendering of or the failure to render professional services inside or outside this state by any other healthcare provider who is also qualified for coverage under the fund. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to all claims filed on or after July 1, 1986.

(i) Notwithstanding the provisions of K.S.A. 40-3402, and amendments thereto, if the board of governors determines due to the number of claims filed against a healthcare provider or the outcome of those claims that an individual healthcare provider presents a material risk of significant future liability to the fund, the board of governors is authorized by a vote of a majority of the members thereof, after notice and an opportunity for hearing in accordance with the provisions of the Kansas administrative procedure act, to terminate the liability of the fund for all claims against the healthcare provider for damages for death or personal injury arising out of the rendering of or the failure to render professional services after the date of termination. The date of termination shall be 30 days after the date of the determination by the board of governors. The board of governors, upon termination of the liability of the fund under this subsection, shall notify the licensing or other disciplinary board having jurisdiction over the healthcare provider involved of the name of the healthcare provider and the reasons for the termination.

(j) (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (7), upon the payment of moneys from the healthcare stabilization fund pursuant to subsection (c)(11), the board of governors shall certify to the secretary of administration the amount of such payment, and the secretary of administration shall transfer an amount equal to the amount certified, reduced by any amount transferred pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4), from the state general fund to the healthcare stabilization fund.

(2) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (7), upon the payment of moneys from the healthcare stabilization fund pursuant to subsection (c)(12), the board of governors shall certify to the secretary of administration the amount of such payment that is equal to the basic coverage liability of self-insurers, and the secretary of administration shall transfer an amount equal to the amount certified, reduced by any amount transferred pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4), from the state general fund to the healthcare stabilization fund.

(3) The university of Kansas medical center private practice foundation reserve fund is hereby established in the state treasury. If the balance in such reserve fund is less than $500,000 on July 1 of any year, the private practice corporations or foundations referred to in K.S.A. 40-3402(c), and amendments thereto, shall remit the amount necessary to increase such balance to $500,000 to the state treasurer for credit to such reserve fund as soon after such July 1 date as is practicable. Upon receipt of each such remittance, the state treasurer shall credit the same to such reserve fund. When compliance with the foregoing provisions of this paragraph have been achieved on or after July 1 of any year in which the same are applicable, the state treasurer shall certify to the board of governors that such reserve fund has been funded for the year in the manner required by law. Moneys in such reserve fund may be invested or reinvested in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 40-3406, and amendments thereto, and any income or interest earned by such investments shall be credited to such reserve fund. Upon payment of moneys from the healthcare stabilization fund pursuant to subsection (c)(11) or (c)(12) with respect to any private practice corporation or foundation or any of its full-time physician faculty employed by the university of Kansas, the secretary of administration shall transfer an amount equal to the amount paid from the university of Kansas medical center private practice foundation reserve fund to the healthcare stabilization fund or, if the balance in such reserve fund is less than the amount so paid, an amount equal to the balance in such reserve fund.

(4) The graduate medical education administration reserve fund is hereby established in the state treasury. If the balance in such reserve fund is less than $40,000 on July 1 of any year, the nonprofit corporations organized to administer the graduate medical education programs of community hospitals or medical care facilities affiliated with the university of Kansas school of medicine shall remit the amount necessary to increase such balance to $40,000 to the state treasurer for credit to such reserve fund as soon after such July 1 date as is practicable. Upon receipt of each such remittance, the state treasurer shall credit the same to such reserve fund. When compliance with the foregoing provisions of this paragraph have been achieved on or after July 1 of any year in which the same are applicable, the state treasurer shall certify to the board of governors that such reserve fund has been funded for the year in the manner required by law. Moneys in such reserve fund may be invested or reinvested in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 40-3406, and amendments thereto, and any income or interest earned by such investments shall be credited to such reserve fund. Upon payment of moneys from the healthcare stabilization fund pursuant to subsection (c)(11) or (c)(12) with respect to any nonprofit corporations organized to administer the graduate medical education programs of community hospitals or medical care facilities affiliated with the university of Kansas school of medicine the secretary of administration shall transfer an amount equal to the amount paid from the graduate medical education administration reserve fund to the healthcare stabilization fund or, if the balance in such reserve fund is less than the amount so paid, an amount equal to the balance in such reserve fund.

(5) Upon payment of moneys from the healthcare stabilization fund pursuant to subsection (c)(14) or (c)(15), the board of governors shall certify to the secretary of administration the amount of such payment, and the secretary of administration shall transfer an amount equal to the amount certified from the state general fund to the healthcare stabilization fund.

(6) Transfers from the state general fund to the healthcare stabilization fund pursuant to this subsection shall not be subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 75-3722, and amendments thereto.

(7) The funds required to be transferred from the state general fund to the healthcare stabilization fund pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2010, June 30, 2011, June 30, 2012, and June 30, 2013, shall not be transferred prior to July 1, 2013. The secretary of administration shall maintain a record of the amounts certified by the board of governors pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2010, June 30, 2011, June 30, 2012, and June 30, 2013. Beginning July 1, 2013, in addition to any other transfers required pursuant to subsection (j), the state general fund transfers that are deferred pursuant to this paragraph shall be transferred from the state general fund to the healthcare stabilization fund in the following manner: On July 1, 2013, and annually thereafter through July 1, 2018, an amount equal to 20% of the total amount of state general fund transfers deferred pursuant to this paragraph for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2010, June 30, 2011, June 30, 2012, and June 30, 2013. The amounts deferred pursuant to this paragraph shall not accrue interest thereon.

(k) Notwithstanding any other provision of the healthcare provider insurance availability act, no psychiatric hospital licensed under K.S.A. 39-2001 et seq., and amendments thereto, shall be assessed a premium surcharge or be entitled to coverage under the fund if such hospital has not paid any premium surcharge pursuant to K.S.A. 40-3404, and amendments thereto, prior to January 1, 1988.

(l) (1) On or after July 1, 1989, and prior to January 1, 2022, every healthcare provider shall make an election to be covered by one of the following options provided in subparagraph (A) that shall limit the liability of the fund with respect to judgments or settlements relating to injury or death arising out of the rendering of or failure to render professional services on or after July 1, 1989. On and after January 1, 2022, every healthcare provider shall make an election to be covered by one of the following options provided in subparagraph (B) that shall limit the liability of the fund with respect to judgments or settlements relating to injury or death arising out of the rendering of or failure to render professional services on or after January 1, 2022. Such election shall be made at the time the healthcare provider renews the basic coverage, or, if basic coverage is not in effect, such election shall be made at the time such coverage is acquired pursuant to K.S.A. 40-3402, and amendments thereto. A medical care facility or a healthcare facility deemed qualified as a self-insurer under K.S.A. 40-3414(a), and amendments thereto, may opt out of the requirements set forth in subparagraph (B) if such medical care facility or healthcare facility substantially meets the minimum coverage requirements of this section through coverage provided by the captive insurance company of such medical care facility or healthcare facility. Notice of the election shall be provided by the insurer providing the basic coverage in the manner and form prescribed by the board of governors and shall continue to be effective from year to year unless modified by a subsequent election made prior to the anniversary date of the policy. The healthcare provider may at any subsequent election reduce the dollar amount of the coverage for the next and subsequent fiscal years, but may not increase the same, unless specifically authorized by the board of governors. Any election of fund coverage limits, whenever made, shall be with respect to judgments or settlements relating to injury or death arising out of the rendering of or failure to render professional services on or after the effective date of such election of fund coverage limits. Such election shall be made for persons engaged in residency training and persons engaged in other postgraduate training programs approved by the state board of healing arts at medical care facilities or mental health centers in this state by the agency or institution paying the surcharge levied under K.S.A. 40-3404, and amendments thereto, for such persons. The election of fund coverage limits for a nonprofit corporation organized to administer the graduate medical education programs of community hospitals or medical care facilities affiliated with the university of Kansas school of medicine shall be deemed to be effective at the highest option. Such options shall be as follows:

(A) (i) OPTION 1 . The fund shall not be liable to pay in excess of $100,000 pursuant to any one judgment or settlement for any party against such healthcare provider, subject to an aggregate limitation for all judgments or settlements arising from all claims made in the fiscal year in an amount of $300,000 for such provider.

(ii) OPTION 2 . The fund shall not be liable to pay in excess of $300,000 pursuant to any one judgment or settlement for any party against such healthcare provider, subject to an aggregate limitation for all judgments or settlements arising from all claims made in the fiscal year in an amount of $900,000 for such provider.

(iii) OPTION 3 . The fund shall not be liable to pay in excess of $800,000 pursuant to any one judgment or settlement for any party against such healthcare provider, subject to an aggregate limitation for all judgments or settlements arising from all claims made in the fiscal year in an amount of $2,400,000 for such healthcare provider.

(B) (i) OPTION 1. The fund shall not be liable to pay in excess of $500,000 pursuant to any one judgment or settlement for any party against such healthcare provider, subject to an aggregate limitation for all judgments or settlements arising from all claims made in the fiscal year in an amount of $1,500,000 for such healthcare provider.

(ii) OPTION 2. The fund shall not be liable to pay in excess of $1,500,000 pursuant to any one judgment or settlement for any party against such healthcare provider, subject to an aggregate limitation for all judgments or settlements arising from all claims made in the fiscal year in an amount of $4,500,000 for such healthcare provider.

(2) The board of governors shall have the authority to adjust the amounts provided in subparagraph (B) as the board deems necessary to effectuate the provisions of the healthcare provider insurance availability act, except that the minimum coverage for a healthcare provider shall not be less than $1,000,000 per claim and $3,000,000 in the aggregate.

(m) In the event of a claim against a healthcare provider for personal injury or death arising out of the rendering of or the failure to render professional services by such healthcare provider, the liability of the fund shall be limited to the amount of coverage selected by the healthcare provider at the time of the incident giving rise to the claim.

(n) Notwithstanding anything in article 34 of chapter 40 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto, to the contrary, the fund shall in no event be liable for any claims against any healthcare provider based upon or relating to the healthcare provider's sexual acts or activity, but in such cases the fund may pay reasonable and necessary expenses for attorney fees incurred in defending the fund against such claim. The fund may recover all or a portion of such expenses for attorney fees if an adverse judgment is returned against the healthcare provider for damages resulting from the healthcare provider's sexual acts or activity.