§8901. Administration.

The board may sponsor a group health insurance program to be funded by and for eligible persons. The board may administer the program itself or through any legal entity authorized by law to do so. The program may also be administered in whole or in part on a fully insured or self-funded basis at the board's sole discretion. In addition to the powers granted by other provisions of this part, the board shall have the powers necessary or convenient to carry out this part, including, but not limited to, the power to:

(1) Set and adjust premium rates sufficient to maintain the adequacy of the reserve established by this part and to fully fund the benefits offered by and to pay for the administrative expenses related to the program.

(2) Determine and make necessary changes to the benefit structure for the program.

(3) Determine enrollment procedures.

(4) Impose and collect necessary fees and charges.

(5) Establish an annual budget for the program and make disbursements from the fund that are consistent with the budget.

(6) Contract for goods, equipment, services, consultants and other professional personnel as needed to operate the program.

(7) Provide for an annual audit of the fund and the program by an independent certified public accounting firm.

(8) Terminate the program or any portion of the program at any time if, in the board's discretion, it is prudent to do so.

(9) Solicit and accept gifts, grants, loans and other aid from any person, corporation or other legal entity or from the Federal, State or local government and participate in any Federal, State or local government program if necessary for prudent management of the program.

(10) Hear and determine any claims and controversies under this part under 2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 5 Subch. A (relating to practice and procedure of Commonwealth agencies) and Ch. 7 Subch. A (relating to judicial review of Commonwealth agency action). The board's jurisdiction under this paragraph shall be exclusive.

(11) Promulgate rules and regulations regarding the program.