Revocation, suspension, refusal of registration — Hearing — Cease and desist orders, injunctive action — Grounds.

RCW 48.44.160

in effect

The insurance commissioner may, subject to a hearing if one is demanded pursuant to chapters 48.04 and 34.05 RCW, revoke, suspend, or refuse to accept or renew registration from any health care service contractor, or he or she may issue a cease and desist order, or bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin a health care service contractor from doing further business in this state, if such health care service contractor: (1) Fails to comply with any provision of chapter 48.44 RCW or any proper order or regulation of the commissioner. (2) Is found by the commissioner to be in such financial condition that its further transaction of business in this state would jeopardize the payment of claims and refunds to subscribers. (3) Has refused to remove or discharge a director or officer who has been convicted of any crime involving fraud, dishonesty, or like moral turpitude, after written request by the commissioner for such removal, and expiration of a reasonable time therefor as specified in such request. (4) Usually compels claimants under contracts either to accept less than the amount due them or to bring suit against it to secure full payment of the amount due. (5) Is affiliated with and under the same general management, or interlocking directorate, or ownership as another health care contractor which operates in this state without having registered therefor, except as is permitted by this chapter. (6) Refuses to be examined, or if its directors, officers, employees or representatives refuse to submit to examination or to produce its accounts, records, and files for examination by the commissioner when required, or refuse to perform any legal obligation relative to the examination. (7) Fails to pay any final judgment rendered against it in this state upon any contract, bond, recognizance, or undertaking issued or guaranteed by it, within thirty days after the judgment became final or within thirty days after time for taking an appeal has expired, or within thirty days after dismissal of an appeal before final determination, whichever date is the later. (8) Is found by the commissioner, after investigation or upon receipt of reliable information, to be managed by persons, whether by its directors, officers, or by any other means, who are incompetent or untrustworthy or so lacking in health care contracting or related managerial experience as to make the operation hazardous to the subscribing public; or that there is good reason to believe it is affiliated directly or indirectly through ownership, control, or other business relations, with any person or persons whose business operations are or have been marked, to the detriment of policyholders or stockholders, or investors or creditors or subscribers or of the public, by bad faith or by manipulation of assets, or of accounts, or of reinsurance. The insurance commissioner may, subject to a hearing if one is demanded pursuant to chapters 48.04 and 34.05 RCW, revoke, suspend, or refuse to accept or renew registration from any health care service contractor, or he or she may issue a cease and desist order, or bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin a health care service contractor from doing further business in this state, if such health care service contractor: (1) Fails to comply with any provision of chapter 48.44 RCW or any proper order or regulation of the commissioner. (2) Is found by the commissioner to be in such financial condition that its further transaction of business in this state would jeopardize the payment of claims and refunds to subscribers. (3) Has refused to remove or discharge a director or officer who has been convicted of any crime involving fraud, dishonesty, or like moral turpitude, after written request by the commissioner for such removal, and expiration of a reasonable time therefor as specified in such request. (4) Usually compels claimants under contracts either to accept less than the amount due them or to bring suit against it to secure full payment of the amount due. (5) Is affiliated with and under the same general management, or interlocking directorate, or ownership as another health care contractor which operates in this state without having registered therefor, except as is permitted by this chapter. (6) Refuses to be examined, or if its directors, officers, employees or representatives refuse to submit to examination or to produce its accounts, records, and files for examination by the commissioner when required, or refuse to perform any legal obligation relative to the examination. (7) Fails to pay any final judgment rendered against it in this state upon any contract, bond, recognizance, or undertaking issued or guaranteed by it, within thirty days after the judgment became final or within thirty days after time for taking an appeal has expired, or within thirty days after dismissal of an appeal before final determination, whichever date is the later. (8) Is found by the commissioner, after investigation or upon receipt of reliable information, to be managed by persons, whether by its directors, officers, or by any other means, who are incompetent or untrustworthy or so lacking in health care contracting or related managerial experience as to make the operation hazardous to the subscribing public; or that there is good reason to believe it is affiliated directly or indirectly through ownership, control, or other business relations, with any person or persons whose business operations are or have been marked, to the detriment of policyholders or stockholders, or investors or creditors or subscribers or of the public, by bad faith or by manipulation of assets, or of accounts, or of reinsurance.

Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=48.44&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026