PURPOSE: This rule implements the provisions of sections 354.405, 354.460, 375.934 and 375.936(4), RSMo regarding the name of a health maintenance organization and misleading information and advertising. This rule prohibits an health maintenance organization from using any name other than its true name on its certificate of authority and sets forth specific requirements for the use of multiple names on its other documents and publications.

1. (1) A health maintenance organization
2. (HMO) must use its true name for its certificate of authority to conduct business as an HMO in this state.
3. (2) An HMO will be permitted to use a fictitious name, an acronym or a portion of its true name, in its advertising, agreements, contracts, policies, evidences of coverage, filings with the director or any other publication of its name, provided that the HMO uses its true name at least once in each advertisement, agreement, contract, policy, evidence of coverage, filing with the director, or any other publication of its name.
4. (3) Any HMO which does business as an HMO in this state under a fictitious name shall file with the director a copy of all documents, including the authorization from the Missouri secretary of state, which shows the legal authority for the HMO to use such other name. Any acronym or portion of the true name must be registered with the director.
5. (4) Any HMO which prior to the effective date of this rule used or employed more than one (1) name shall cease using more than one
6. (1) name, except as permitted by this rule, and take all steps necessary to comply with this rule within sixty (60) days after the effective date of this rule (June 6, 1994), including but not limited to, the filing of an application for an amended certificate of authority to reflect the true name of the HMO and the payment of fees in accordance with section 354.495, RSMo.
7. (5) The director may institute disciplinary action for violations of this rule in accordance with the provisions of sections 354.490, 354.500, 374.046 and 375.942, RSMo and any other applicable law.

AUTHORITY: section 374.045, RSMo Supp. 1993.* Original rule filed Oct. 1, 1993, effective June 6, 1994. *Original authority: 374.045, RSMo 1967, amended 1993.