Source: https://www.cao.gov/print/14939
Timestamp: 2019-11-20 15:25:34
Document Index: 50986463

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1609', 'ART 1609', 'art 1609', 'art 1609', 'art 1609', 'art 9', 'art 9', 'art 1609', 'art 890', 'art 1642', 'arts 1642']

FEHBAR Part 1609—Contractor Qualifications
PART 1609—CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS
Subpart 1609.4—Debarment, Suspension, and Ineligibility
1609.470 Notification of Debarment, Suspension, and Ineligibility.
1609.471 Contractor certification.
Subpart 1609.70—Minimum Standards for Health Benefits Carriers
1609.7001 Minimum standards for health benefits carriers.
Subpart 1609.71—Performance Evaluation
1609.7101 Policy.
1609.7101-1 Community-rated carrier incentive performance elements.
1609.7101-2 Community-rated carrier performance factors.
Source: 59 FR 14764, Mar. 30, 1994, unless otherwise noted.
(FAR) 48 CFR, part 9, subpart 9.4 is supplemented as set out in the certification required in 1609.471 by converting the FAR “offeror's” certification at (FAR) 48 CFR 52.209–5 into a carrier's certification. This change reflects the FEHBP's statutory exemption from competitive bidding (5 U.S.C. 8902), which obviates the issuance of solicitations.
All FEHBP carriers and applicant carriers are required to submit the following certification. Applicant carriers must submit the certification prior to OPM's determination on the application for approval to participate in the FEHBP. Current carriers must submit the certification once, along with their benefit and rate proposals for the 1995 contract year.
Debarment, Suspension, Proposed Debarment, and Other Responsibility Matters
The Carrier certifies, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that—
(a) The Carrier and/or any of its Principals—
(1) Are ( ) are not ( ) presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, or declared ineligible for the award of contracts by any Federal agency;
(2) Have ( ) have not ( ), within a 3-year period preceding this certification, been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for: Commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (Federal, state, or local) contract or subcontract; violation of Federal or state antitrust statutes relating to the submission of offers; or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property; and
(3) Are ( ) are not ( ) presently indicted for, or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity with, commission of any of the offenses enumerated in subdivision (a)(2) of this clause.
(4) The Carrier has ( ) has not ( ), within a 3-year period preceding this certification, had one or more contracts terminated for default by any Federal agency.
(b) Principals, for the purposes of this certification, means officers; directors; owners; partners; and persons having primary management or supervisory responsibilities within a business entity (e.g., general manager; plant manager; head of a subsidiary, division, or business segment, and similar positions).
This certification concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of an agency of the United States and the making of a false, fictitious, or fraudulent certification may render the Carrier subject to prosecution under section 1001, title 18, United States Code.
(c) The Carrier shall provide immediate written notice to the Contracting Officer if, at any time, the Carrier learns that its certification was erroneous when submitted or has become erroneous by reason of changed circumstances.
(d) A Carrier's certification that any of the actions mentioned in the certification exists will not necessarily result in termination of the contract. However, the certification, or the Carrier's failure to provide such additional information as requested by the Contracting Officer, will be considered in connection with a determination of the Carrier's responsibility under subpart 1609.70, Minimum Standards for Health Benefits Carriers.
(e) Nothing contained in the certification shall be construed to require establishment of a system of records in order to render, in good faith, the certification required by this section. The knowledge and information of the Carrier is not required to exceed that which is normally possessed by a prudent person in the ordinary course of business dealings.
(f) The certification in this section is a material representation of fact upon which reliance is placed by the Contracting Officer. If it is later determined that the Carrier knowingly rendered an erroneous certification, in addition to other remedies available to the Government, the Contracting Officer may terminate the contract for default.
Carrier Name: ____________________
Name of Chief Executive Officer
(a) The carrier of an approved health benefits plan shall meet the requirements of chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code; part 890 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations; chapter 1 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations, and the following standards. The carrier shall continue to meet the requirements of chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, and the standards cited in this paragraph while under contract with OPM. Failure to meet these requirements and standards is cause for OPM's withdrawal of approval of the health benefits carrier and termination of the contract in accordance with 5 CFR 890.204.
(1) It must be lawfully engaged in the business of supplying health benefits.
(2) It must have, in the judgement of OPM, the financial resources and experience in the field of health benefits to carry out its obligations under the plan.
(3) It must keep such reasonable financial and statistical records, and furnish such reasonable financial and statistical reports with respect to the plan, as may be requested by OPM.
(4) It must permit representatives of OPM and of the General Accounting Office to audit and examine its records and accounts which pertain, directly or indirectly, to the plan at such reasonable times and places as may be designated by OPM or the General Accounting Office.
(5) It must accept, subject to adjustment for error or fraud, in payment of its charges for health benefits for all enrollees in its plan, the enrollment charges received by the Employees Health Benefits (EHB) Fund less amounts set aside for the administrative and contingency reserves prescribed in 5 CFR 890.503. OPM makes available or pays the amounts within 30 days of receipt by the EHB Fund.
(6) A carrier that is an employee organization must continue coverage, without requirement of membership, of any eligible survivor annuitants, former spouses continuing coverage with the carrier under 5 CFR 890.803, children temporarily continuing coverage with the carrier under 5 CFR 890.1103(a)(2), or former spouses temporarily continuing coverage with the carrier under 5 CFR 890.1103(a)(3).
(7) It must timely submit to OPM a properly completed and signed novation or change-of-name agreement in accordance with subpart 1642.12 of this chapter.
(b) In addition to the standards in paragraph (a) of this section, the carrier must perform the contract in accordance with prudent business practices. A carrier's sustained poor business practice in the management or administration of a health benefits plan is cause for OPM's withdrawal of approval of the health benefits carrier and termination of the carrier's contract. Prudent business practices include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Timely compliance with OPM instructions and directives.
(2) Legal and ethical business and health care practices.
(3) Compliance with the terms of the FEHB contract, regulations and statutes.
(4) Timely and accurate adjudication of claims or rendering of medical services.
(5) A system for accounting for costs incurred under the contract, when required, which includes segregating and pricing FEHB medical utilization and allocating indirect and administrative costs in a reasonable and equitable manner.
(6) Accurate accounting reports of actual, allowable, allocable, and reasonable costs incurred in the administration of the contract.
(7) Application of performance standards for assuring contract quality as required by 1646.270(d).
(8) Establishment and maintenance of a system of internal control that provides reasonable assurance that:
(i) The provision and payments of benefits and other expenses are in compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual guidelines;
(ii) FEHB funds, property, and other assets are safeguarded against waste, loss, unauthorized use, or misappropriation; and,
(iii) Data are accurately and fairly disclosed in all reports required by OPM.
(c) The following types of activities are examples of poor business practices which adversely affect the health benefits carrier's responsibility under its contract. A pattern of poor conduct or evidence of misconduct in these areas is cause for OPM to withdraw approval of the carrier:
(1) Presenting false claims by charging expenses to the contract which according to the contract terms are not chargeable to the contract;
(2) Using fraudulent or unethical business or health care practices or otherwise displaying a lack of business integrity or honesty;
(3) Repeatedly and knowingly providing false or misleading information in the rate setting process;
(4) Repeated failure to comply with OPM instructions and directives;
(5) Having an accounting system that is incapable of separately accounting for costs incurred under the contract and/or that lacks the internal controls necessary to fulfill the terms of the contract; and
(6) Failure to assure that the plan provides properly paid or denied claims, or providing medical services which are inconsistent with standards of good medical practice.
(7) Entering into contracts or employment agreements with providers, provider groups, or health care workers that include provisions or financial incentives that directly or indirectly create an inducement to limit or restrict communication about medically necessary services to any individual covered under the FEHB Program. Financial incentives are defined as bonuses, withholds, commissions, profit sharing or other similar adjustments to basic compensation (e.g., service fee, capitation, salary) which have the effect of limiting or reducing communication about appropriate medically necessary services. Providers, health care workers, or health plan sponsoring organizations are not required to discuss treatment options that they would not ordinarily discuss in their customary course of practice because such options are inconsistent with their professional judgment or ethical, moral or religious beliefs.
(d) The Director or his or her designee will determine whether to propose withdrawal of approval and hold a hearing based on the seriousness of the carrier's actions and its proposed method to effect corrective action.
[57 FR 14359, Apr. 20, 1992. Redesignated and amended at 59 FR 14764, 14765, Mar. 30, 1994; 63 FR 42586, Aug. 10, 1998]
Source: 63 FR 55337, Oct. 15, 1998, unless otherwise noted.
At the end of each contract period, the contracting officer will determine each community-rated carrier's responsiveness to the Program requirements in 1609.7101–1.
(a) Customer Service. This element is intended to assist OPM in achieving the goal of providing customer service that meets or exceeds the expectations of Federal enrollees. The Customer Service category will represent 70 percent of the total calculation and will be based on the carrier's compliance with the following items:
(1) Timely Closure on Rates and Benefits Consistent with Policy Guidelines. In order for information to be available to our customers in time for the annual Open Season, carriers must work with OPM to conclude benefits and rate negotiations by the established time frames. The contracting officer will evaluate this item based on the carrier's demonstrated record in providing its rate reconciliation and benefits information within the time frames prescribed by and in the format required by OPM.
(2) Customer Information. Enrollees must have accurate information and adequate time to make informed Open Season choices in selecting a health plan. In evaluating this item, the contracting officer will consider the carrier's timeliness and accuracy of information.
(3) Meeting Customer Service Performance Standards. Compliance with this item is essential so that OPM can ensure that the carrier is providing quality health care and other services to enrollees. The contracting officer will evaluate this item based on the carrier's submission of the Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Study (CAHPS) survey results and other measures as required contractually between OPM and the carrier. (This element will be implemented beginning with contract year 2000).
(4) Cooperation in Surveys. FEHB enrollees rely on feedback from the consumer assessment survey in selecting a health plan. The contracting officer will evaluate this item based on the carrier's record in cooperating with OPM and/or its designated representative in administering a consumer assessment survey or providing comparable survey results as specified in the FEHB contract and OPM guidance.
(5) Paperless Enrollment/Enrollment Reconciliation—(i) Paperless Enrollment. The requirement to cooperate in the OPM designated system for paperless enrollment is under the section entitled “Enrollment Instructions” in the FEHB Supplemental Literature Guidelines in the FEHB contract. The contracting officer will evaluate this item based on the carrier's ability to accept electronic data transmission from the OPM designated electronic enrollment system and issue ID cards timely.
(ii) Enrollment Reconciliation. The requirement for carriers to reconcile their enrollment records on a quarterly basis with those provided by Federal Government agencies is in the Records and Information to be Furnished by OPM clause of the contract, as well as 5 CFR 890.110 and 5 CFR 890.308. The contracting officer will evaluate this item based on the carrier's demonstrated record of initiating reconciliation procedures with applicable agency payroll offices on a quarterly basis in accordance with OPM guidance on reconciling enrollments and resolving enrollment discrepancies, as well as on the carrier's demonstrated record of following disenrollment procedures in accordance with 5 CFR 890.110 and 890.308.
(6) Reconsideration/Disputed Claims. The requirement for carriers to reconsider disputed health benefits claims is in 5 CFR 890.105. An incomplete explanation of denied benefits by the carrier places a burden on enrollees, causing them to seek reconsideration because the carrier did not fully explain its denial. Late carrier responses to OPM's requests for the carrier's reconsideration file delays OPM's response to enrollees. The contracting officer will evaluate this item based on whether the carrier provided OPM a complete reconciliation file within the time frame specified.
(b) Critical Contract Compliance Requirements. This performance category will represent 30 percent of the total computation and will be based on the carrier's compliance with the following items:
(1) Timely Submissions. The reports specified in the Statistics and Special Studies and FEHB Quality Assurance clauses of the contract and are essential for tracking enrollment, finances, rates, etc. In evaluating this item, the contracting officer will consider the carrier's timely submission of the contract, signed by the contracting official, to OPM, and on its demonstrated record in providing timely and accurate reports as required.
(2) Notification of Changes in Contract Administrators. OPM must be able to reach the person responsible for managing the carrier's FEHB contract without delay when an enrollee calls OPM in need of urgent medical treatment, an ID card, or other service. Each carrier's designated contact must maintain telephone and electronic communications with OPM so that issues can be resolved quickly. The contracting officer will evaluate this item based on the carrier's compliance with the Notice clause and Contract Administration Data sheet in the contract, and will consider the carrier's record in notifying OPM promptly of changes in its carrier representative or contracting official, mailing or electronic address, telephone or FAX number.
(3) Notification of Changes in Name or Ownership; or Transfer of Assets, and Notification of Other Significant Events. OPM must be able to assess the viability of the carrier and its ability to provide health care to enrollees so that they do not experience difficulty obtaining treatment and other services. Additionally, with regard to notification to OPM of other significant events, the carrier must notify OPM of such events as lawsuits, strikes, and natural disasters so that OPM can assess the carrier's ability to pay claims and provide services to enrollees. The contracting officer will evaluate this item based on the carrier's compliance with FEHBAR Subparts 1642.12, Novation and Change-of-Name Agreements, 1642.70, Management Agreement (in Lieu of Novation Agreement), and 1652.222–70, including timely notification and explanation of all significant events that may have a material effect on the carrier's ability to perform the contract.
OPM will apply the Customer Service and Critical Contract Compliance Requirements percentage factors specified by the contracting officer when a community-rated carrier does not provide the information, payment, or service, perform the function, or otherwise meet its obligations as stated in 1609.7101–1. The total premium will be multiplied by the sum of all the factors and the resulting amount will be withheld from the carrier's periodic premium payments payable during the first quarter of the following contract period, unless an alternative payment arrangement is made with the carrier's contracting officer.
The factors for each basic element are set forth as follows:
Community-Rated Carrier Performance Factors
Performance factor (to be multiplied by premium and withheld from carrier's payments)
I. Customer Service (70% of Total)
II. Critical Contract Compliance Requirements (30% of Total)
Maximum Aggregate Performance Factor