(1) The commissioner may make an examination of the operations of any health maintenance organization as often as he or she deems necessary in order to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(2) Every health maintenance organization shall submit its books and records relating its operation for financial condition and market conduct examinations and in every way facilitate them. The quality or appropriateness of medical services or systems shall not be examined except to the extent that such items are incidental to an examination of the financial condition or the market conduct of a health maintenance organization. For the purpose of examinations, the commissioner may issue subpoenas, administer oaths, and examine the officers and principals of the health maintenance organization and the principals of such providers concerning their business.

(3) The commissioner may elect to accept and rely on audit reports made by an independent certified public accountant for the health maintenance organization in the course of that part of the commissioner's examination covering the same general subject matter as the audit. The commissioner may incorporate the audit report in his or her report of the examination.

Severability—Effective date—1986 c 296: See notes following RCW 48.14.020.