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BLUE CROSS LICENSE AGREEMENT

License Agreement

BLUE CROSS LICENSE AGREEMENT | Document Parties: Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association | Triple-S Management Corporation You are currently viewing:
This License Agreement involves

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association | Triple-S Management Corporation

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Title: BLUE CROSS LICENSE AGREEMENT
Governing Law: Illinois     Date: 7/8/2009
Industry: Insurance (Accident and Health)     Sector: Financial

BLUE CROSS LICENSE AGREEMENT, Parties: blue cross and blue shield association , triple-s management corporation
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Exhibit 10.1

BLUE CROSS LICENSE AGREEMENT
(Includes revisions, if any, adopted by Member Plans through their March 19, 2009 meeting)

     This agreement by and between Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (“BCBSA”) and The Blue Cross Plan, known as Triple-S Management Corporation (the “Plan”).

Preamble

     WHEREAS, the Plan and/or its predecessor(s) in interest (collectively the “Plan”) had the right to use the BLUE CROSS and BLUE CROSS Design service marks (collectively the “Licensed Marks”) for health care plans in its service area, which was essentially local in nature;

     WHEREAS, the Plan was desirous of assuring nationwide protection of the Licensed Marks, maintaining uniform quality controls among Plans, facilitating the provision of cost effective health care services to the public and otherwise benefiting the public;

     WHEREAS, to better attain such ends, the Plan and the predecessor of BCBSA in 1972 simultaneously executed the BCA License Agreement (s) and the Ownership Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, BCBSA and the Plan desire to supercede said Agreement(s) to reflect their current practices and to assure the continued integrity of the Licensed Marks and of the BLUE CROSS system;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 


 

Agreement

     1. BCBSA hereby grants to the Plan, upon the terms and conditions of this License Agreement, the right to use BLUE CROSS in its trade and/or corporate name (the “Licensed Name”), and the right to use the Licensed Marks, in the sale, marketing and administration of health care plans and related services in the Service Area set forth and defined in paragraph 5 below. As used herein, health care plans and related services shall include acting as a nonprofit health care plan, a for-profit health care plan, or mutual health insurer operating on a not-for-profit or for-profit basis, under state law; financing access to health care services; when working with a bank that holds the relevant license to use the Licensed Name and Marks, offering: (i) tax-favored savings accounts for medical expenses and means for accessing such accounts, such as debit cards or checks, that are provided solely to support access to such tax-favored savings accounts, all pursuant to such license, or (ii) prepaid rewards cards that are provided for completion of a wellness program, all pursuant to such license; providing health care management and administration; administering, but not underwriting, non-health portions of Worker’s Compensation insurance; and delivering health care services, except hospital services (as defined in the Guidelines to Membership Standards Applicable to Regular Members).

     2. The Plan may use the Licensed Marks and Name in connection with the offering of: a) health care plans and related services in the Service Area through Controlled Affiliates, provided that each such Controlled Affiliate is separately licensed to use the Licensed Marks and Name under the terms and conditions contained in the Agreement attached as Exhibit 1 hereto (the “Controlled Affiliate License Agreement”); and: b) insurance coverages offered by life insurers under the applicable law in the Service Area, other than those which the Plan may offer in its own name, provided through Controlled Affiliates, provided that each such Controlled Affiliate is separately licensed to use the Licensed Marks and Name under the terms and conditions contained in the Agreement attached as Exhibit 1A hereto (the “Controlled Affiliate License Agreement Applicable to Life Insurance Companies”) and further provided that the offering of such services does not and will not dilute or tarnish the unique value of the Licensed Marks and Name; and c) administration and underwriting of Workers’ Compensation Insurance Controlled Affiliates, provided that each such Controlled Affiliate is separately licensed to use the Licensed Marks and Name under the terms and conditions contained in the Agreement attached as Exhibit 1 hereto (the “Controlled Affiliate License.”); and d) regional Medicare Advantage PPO products in cooperation with one or more other Plans through jointly-held Controlled Affiliates, provided that each such Controlled Affiliate is separately licensed to use the Licensed Marks and Name under the terms and conditions contained in the Agreement attached as Exhibit 1B hereto (the “Controlled Affiliate License Agreement Applicable to Regional Medicare Advantage PPO Products”); and e) regional Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan products in cooperation with one or more other Plans through jointly-held Controlled Affiliates, provided that each such Controlled Affiliate is separately licensed to use the Licensed Marks and Name under the terms and conditions contained in the Agreement attached as Exhibit 1C hereto (the “Controlled Affiliate License Agreement Applicable to Regional Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan Products”). As used herein, a Controlled Affiliate is defined as an entity organized and operated in such a manner that it is subject to the bona fide control of a Plan or Plans and, if the entity meets the standards of subparagraph B but not subparagraph A of this paragraph, the entity, its owners, and persons with authority to select or appoint members or board members, other than a Plan or Plans, have received written approval of BCBSA. Absent written approval by BCBSA of an alternative method of control, bona fide control with respect to the Controlled Affiliate Licenses authorized in clauses a) through c) of this Paragraph 2 shall mean that a Plan or Plans authorized to use the Licensed Marks in the Service Area of the Controlled Affiliate pursuant to this License Agreement(s) with BCBSA, other than such Controlled Affiliate’s License Agreement(s), (for purposes of subparagraphs 2.A. and 2.B., the “Controlling Plan(s)”), must have:

Amended as of September 18, 2008

 


 

 

A.

 

The legal authority, directly or indirectly through wholly-owned subsidiaries: (a) to select members of the Controlled Affiliate’s governing body having more than 50% voting control thereof; (b) to exercise control over the policy and operations of the Controlled Affiliate ; (c) to prevent any change in the articles of incorporation, bylaws or other establishing or governing documents of the Controlled Affiliate with which the Controlling Plan(s) do(es) not concur. In addition, a Plan or Plans directly or indirectly through wholly-owned subsidiaries shall own more than 50% of any for-profit Controlled Affiliate; or

 

 

B.

 

The legal authority directly or indirectly through wholly-owned subsidiaries (a) to select members of the Controlled Affiliate’s governing body having not less than 50% voting control thereof; (b) to prevent any change in the articles of incorporation, bylaws or other establishing or governing documents of the Controlled Affiliate with which the Controlling Plan(s) do(es) not concur; (c) to exercise control over the policy and operations of the Controlled Affiliate at least equal to that exercised by persons or entities (jointly or individually) other than the Controlling Plan(s). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in (a) through (c) hereof, the Controlled Affiliate’s establishing or governing documents must also require written approval by the Controlling Plan(s) before the Controlled Affiliate can:

 

1.

 

Change its legal and/or trade name;

 

 

2.

 

Change the geographic area in which it operates;

 

 

3.

 

Change any of the types of businesses in which it engages;

 

 

4.

 

Create, or become liable for by way of guarantee, any indebtedness, other than indebtedness arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

 

5.

 

Sell any assets, except for sales in the ordinary course of business or sales of equipment no longer useful or being replaced;

 

 

6.

 

Make any loans or advances except in the ordinary course of business;

 

 

7.

 

Enter into any arrangement or agreement with any party directly or indirectly affiliated with any of the owners of the Controlled Affiliate or persons or entities with the authority to select or appoint members or board members of the Controlled Affiliate, other than the Plan or Plans (excluding owners of stock holdings of under 5% in a publicly traded Controlled Affiliate);

 

 

8.

 

Conduct any business other than under the Licensed Marks and Name;

Amended as of June 11, 1998

-2-

 


 

 

9.

 

Take any action that any Controlling Plan or BCBSA reasonably believes will adversely affect the Licensed Marks or Names.

 

 

 

In addition, a Plan or Plans directly or indirectly through wholly owned subsidiaries shall own at least 50% of any for-profit Controlled Affiliate. With respect to the Controlled Affiliate License Agreements authorized in clauses d) and e) of this Paragraph 2, and absent written approval by BCBSA of an alternative method of control, bona fide control shall mean that the Controlled Affiliate is organized and operated in such a manner that it meets the following requirements:

 

 

C.

 

The Controlled Affiliate is owned or controlled by two or more Plans authorized to use the Licensed Marks pursuant to this License Agreement with BCBSA (for purposes of this subparagraph 2.C. through subparagraph 2.E., the “Controlling Plans”);

 

 

D.

 

Each Controlling Plan is authorized pursuant to this Agreement to use the Licensed Marks in a geographic area in the Region (as that term is defined in such Controlled Affiliate License Agreements) and every geographic area in the Region is so licensed to at least one of the Controlling Plans; and

 

 

E.

 

The Controlling Plans must have the legal authority directly or indirectly through wholly-owned subsidiaries (a) to select members of the Controlled Affiliate’s governing body having not less than 100% voting control thereof; (b) to prevent any change in the articles of incorporation, bylaws or other establishing or governing documents of the Controlled Affiliate with which the Controlling Plans do not concur; and (c) to exercise control over the policy and operations of the Controlled Affiliate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in (a) through (c) of this subparagraph E., the Controlled Affiliate’s establishing or governing documents must also require written approval by each of the Controlling Plans before the Controlled Affiliate can:

 

 

1.

 

Change its legal and/or trade names;

 

 

2.

 

Change the geographic area in which it operates (except such approval shall not be required with respect to business of the Controlled Affiliate conducted under the Licensed Marks within the Service Area of one of the Controlling Plans pursuant to a separate controlled affiliate license agreement with BCBSA sponsored by such Controlling Plan);

Amended as of March 17, 2005

(The next page is page 3)

-2a-

 


 

 

3.

 

Change any of the type(s) of businesses in which it engages (except such approval shall not be required with respect to business of the Controlled Affiliate conducted under the Licensed Marks within the Service Area of one of the Controlling Plans pursuant to a separate controlled affiliate license agreement with BCBSA sponsored by such Controlling Plan);

 

 

4.

 

Take any action that any Controlling Plan or BCBSA reasonably believes will adversely affect the Licensed Marks and Name.

 

 

 

In addition, the Controlling Plans directly or indirectly through wholly-owned subsidiaries shall own 100% of any for-profit Controlled Affiliate.

     3. The Plan may engage in activities not required by BCBSA to be directly licensed through Controlled Affiliates and may indicate its relationship thereto by use of the Licensed Name as a tag line, provided that the engaging in such activities does not and will not dilute or tarnish the unique value of the Licensed Marks and Name and further provided that such tag line use is not in a manner likely to cause confusion or mistake. Consistent with the avoidance of confusion or mistake, each tag line use of the Plan’s Licensed Name: (a) shall be in the style and manner specified by BCBSA from time-to-time; (b) shall not include the design service marks; (c) shall not be in a manner to import more than the Plan’s mere ownership of the Controlled Affiliate; and (d) shall be restricted to the Service Area. No rights are hereby created in any Controlled Affiliate to use the Licensed Name in its own name or otherwise. At least annually, the Plan shall provide BCBSA with representative samples of each such use of its Licensed Name pursuant to the foregoing conditions.

     4. The Plan recognizes the importance of a comprehensive national network of independent BCBSA licensees which are committed to strengthening the Licensed Marks and Name. The Plan further recognizes that its actions within its Service Area may affect the value of the Licensed Marks and Name nationwide. The Plan agrees (a) to maintain in good standing its membership in BCBSA; (b) promptly to pay its dues to BCBSA, said dues to represent the royalties for this License Agreement; (c) materially to comply with all applicable laws; (d) to comply with the Membership Standards Applicable to Regular Members of BCBSA, a current copy of which is attached as Exhibit 2 hereto; and (e) reasonably to permit BCBSA, upon a written, good faith request and during reasonable business hours, to inspect the Plan’s books and records necessary to ascertain compliance herewith. As to other Plans and third parties, BCBSA shall maintain the confidentiality of all documents and information furnished by the Plan pursuant hereto, or pursuant to the Membership Standards, and clearly designated by the Plan as containing proprietary information of the Plan.

Amended as of March 17, 2005

-3-

 


 

     5. The rights hereby granted are exclusive to the Plan within the geographical area(s) served by the Plan on June 30, 1972, and/or as to which the Plan has been granted a subsequent license, which is hereby defined as the “Service Area,” except that BCBSA reserves the right to use the Licensed Marks in said Service Area, and except to the extent that said Service Area may overlap areas served by one or more other licensed Blue Cross Plans as of said date or subsequent license, as to which overlapping areas the rights hereby granted are nonexclusive as to such other Plan or Plans only.

     6. Except as expressly provided by BCBSA with respect to National Accounts, Government Programs and certain other necessary and collateral uses, the current rules and regulations governing which are attached as Exhibit 3 and Exhibit 4 hereto, and are contained in other documents referenced herein, or as expressly provided herein, the Plan may not use the Licensed Marks and Name outside the Service Area or in connection with other goods and services, nor may the Plan use the Licensed Marks or Name in a manner which is intended to transfer in the Service Area the goodwill associated therewith to another mark or name. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the Plan from engaging in lawful activity anywhere under other marks and names not confusingly similar to the Licensed Marks and Name, provided that engaging in such activity does and will not dilute or tarnish the unique value of the Licensed Marks and Name. In addition to any and all remedies available hereunder, BCBSA may impose monetary fines on the Plan for the Plan’s use of the Licensed Marks and Names outside the Service Area, and provided that the procedure used in imposing a fine is consistent with procedures specifically prescribed by BCBSA from time to time in regulations of general application. In the case of regional Medicare Advantage PPO and regional Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan products offered by consenting and participating Plans in a region that includes the Service Areas, or portions thereof, of more than one Plan, such fine may be imposed jointly on the consenting and participating Plans for use of the Licensed Marks and Name in any geographic area of the region in which a Plan having exclusive rights to the Licensed Marks and Name does not consent to and particitpate in such offering, provided that the basis for imposition of such fine is consistent with rules specifically prescribed by BCBSA from time to time in regulations of general application.

     7. The Plan agrees that it will display the Licensed Marks and Name only in such form, style and manner as shall be specifically prescribed by BCBSA from time-to-time in regulations of general application in order to prevent impairment of the distinctiveness of the Licensed Marks and Name and the goodwill pertaining thereto. The Plan shall cause to appear on all materials on or in connection with which the Licensed Marks or Name are used such legends, markings and notices as BCBSA may reasonably request in order to give appropriate notice of service mark or other proprietary rights therein or pertaining thereto.

Amended as of November 16, 2006

-3a-

 


 

     8. BCBSA agrees that: (a) it will not grant any other license effective during the term of this License Agreement for the use of the Licensed Marks or Name which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Plan hereunder; and (b) it will not itself use the Licensed Marks in derogation of the rights of the Plan or in a manner to deprive the Plan of the full benefits of this License Agreement, provided that BCBSA shall have the right to use the Licensed Marks in conjunction with any national offering under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program in the manner set forth in Exhibit 4, Paragraph 4 (including subparagraphs) to this License Agreement. The Plan agrees that it will not attack the title of BCBSA in and to the Licensed Marks or Name or attack the validity of the Licensed Marks or of this License Agreement. The Plan further agrees that all use by it of the Licensed Marks and Name or any similar mark or name shall inure to the benefit of BCBSA, and the Plan shall cooperate with BCBSA in effectuating the assignment to BCBSA of any service mark or trademark registrations of the Licensed Marks or any similar mark or name held by the Plan or a Controlled Affiliate of the Plan, all or any portion of which registration consists of the Licensed Marks.

     9. (a). Should the Plan fail to comply with the provisions of paragraphs 2-4, 6, 7 and/or 12, and not cure such failure within thirty (30) days of receiving written notice thereof (or commence curing such failure within such thirty day period and continue diligent efforts to complete the curing of such failure if such curing cannot reasonably be completed within such thirty day period), BCBSA shall have the right to issue a notice that the Plan is in a state of noncompliance. Except as to the termination of a Plan’s License Agreement or the merger of two or more Plans, disputes as to noncompliance, and all other disputes between or among BCBSA, the Plan, other Plans and/or Controlled Affiliates, shall be submitted promptly to mediation and mandatory dispute resolution pursuant to the rules and regulations of BCBSA, a current copy of which is attached as Exhibit 5 hereto, and shall be timely presented and resolved. The mandatory dispute resolution panel shall have authority to issue orders for specific performance and assess monetary penalties. If a state of noncompliance as aforesaid is undisputed by the Plan or is found to exist by a mandatory dispute resolution panel and is uncured as provided above, BCBSA shall have the right to seek judicial enforcement of the License Agreement. Except, however, as provided in paragraphs 9(d)(iii), 15(a)(i)-(viii), and 15(a)(x) below, no Plan’s license to use the Licensed Marks and Name may be finally terminated for any reason without the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Plans and three-fourths of the total then current weighted vote of all the Plans.

Amended as of March 16, 2006

-4-

 


 

          (b). Notwithstanding any other provision of this License Agreement, a Plan’s license to use the Licensed Marks and Name may be forthwith terminated by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Plans and three-fourths of the total then current weighted vote of all the Plans at a special meeting expressly called by BCBSA for the purpose on ten (10) days written notice to the Plan advising of the specific matters at issue and granting the Plan an opportunity to be heard and to present its response to Member Plans for: (i) failure to comply with any minimum capital or liquidity requirement under the Membership Standard on Financial Responsibility; or (ii) impending financial insolvency; or (iii) the pendency of any action instituted against the Plan seeking its dissolution or liquidation or its assets or seeking appointment of a trustee, interim trustee, receiver or other custodian for any of its property or business or seeking the declaration or establishment of a trust for any of its property of business, unless this License Agreement has been earlier terminated under paragraph 15(a); or (iv) such other reason as is determined in good faith immediately and irreparably to threaten the integrity and reputation of BCBSA, the Plans and/or the Licensed Marks.

          (c). To the extent not otherwise provided therein, neither: (i) the Membership Standards Applicable to Regular Members of BCBSA; nor (ii) the rules and regulations governing Government Programs and certain other uses; nor (iii) the rules and regulations governing mediation and mandatory dispute resolution, may be amended unless and until each such amendment is first adopted by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Plans and of three-fourths of the total then current weighted vote of all the Plans. The rules and regulations governing National Accounts and other national programs required by the Membership Standards Applicable to Regular Members of BCBSA (Exhibit 2) are contained, in addition to those set forth in Exhibit 3, in the following documents, as amended from time to time: (1) the Transfer Program Policies and Provisions; (2) the Inter-Plan Programs Policies and Provisions; (3) Inter-Plan Medicare Advantage Program Policies and Provisions. The voting requirements specified in rules and regulations governing such national programs may not be amended unless and until each such amendment is first adopted by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Plans and of three-fourths of the total then current weighted vote of all the Plans.

Amended as of November 15, 2007

-4a-

 


 

          9. (d). The Plan may operate as a for-profit company on the following conditions:

     (i) The Plan shall discharge all responsibilities which it has to the Association and to other Plans by virtue of this Agreement and the Plan’s membership in BCBSA.

     (ii) The Plan shall not use the licensed Marks and Name, or any derivative thereof, as part of its legal name or any symbol used to identify the Plan in any securities market. The Plan shall use the licensed Marks and Name as part of its trade name within its service area for the sale, marketing and administration of health care and related services in the service area.

     (iii) The Plan’s license to use the Licensed Marks and Name shall automatically terminate effective: (a) thirty days after the Plan knows, or there is an SEC filing indicating that, any Institutional Investor, has become the Beneficial Owner of securities representing 10% or more of the voting power of the Plan (“Excess Institutional Voter”), unless such Excess Institutional Voter shall cease to be an Excess Institutional Voter prior to such automatic termination becoming effective; (b) thirty days after the Plan knows, or there is an SEC filing indicating that, any Noninstitutional Investor has become the Beneficial Owner of securities representing 5% or more of the voting power of the Plan (“Excess Noninstitutional Voter”) unless such Excess Noninstitutional Voter shall cease to be an Excess Noninstitutional Voter prior to such automatic termination becoming effective; (c) thirty days after the Plan knows, or there is an SEC filing indicating that, any Person has become the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the Plan’s then outstanding common stock or other equity securities which (either by themselves or in combination) represent an ownership interest of 20% or more pursuant to determinations made under paragraph 9(d)(iv) below (“Excess Owner”), unless such Excess Owner shall cease to be an Excess Owner prior to such automatic termination becoming effective; (d) ten business days after individuals who at the time the Plan went public constituted the Board of Directors of the Plan (together with any new directors whose election to the Board was approved by a vote of 2/3 of the directors then still in office who were directors at the time the Plan went public or whose election or nomination was previously so approved) (the “Continuing Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors; or (e) ten business days after the Plan consolidates with or merges with or into any person or conveys, assigns, transfers or sells all or substantially all of its assets to any person other than a merger in which the Plan is the surviving entity and immediately after which merger, no person is an Excess Institutional Voter, an Excess Noninstitutional Voter or an Excess Owner: provided that, if requested by the affected Plan in a writing received by BCBSA prior to such automatic termination becoming effective, the provisions of this paragraph 9(d)(iii) may be waived, in whole or in part,

Amended as of September 17, 1997

-5-

 


 

upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested Plans and a majority of the total then current weighted vote of the disinterested Plans. Any waiver so granted may be conditioned upon such additional requirements (including but not limited to imposing new and independent grounds for termination of this License) as shall be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested Plans and a majority of the total then current weighted vote of the disinterested Plans. If a timely waiver request is received, no automatic termination shall become effective until the later of: (1) the conclusion of the applicable time period specified in paragraphs 9(d)(iii)(a)-(d) above, or (2) the conclusion of the first Member Plan meeting after receipt of such a waiver request.

In the event that the Plan’s license to use the Licensed Marks and Name is terminated pursuant to this Paragraph 9(d)(iii), the license may be reinstated in BCBSA’s sole discretion if, within 30 days of the date of such termination, the Plan demonstrates that the Person referred to in clause (a), (b) or (c) of the preceding paragraph is no longer an Excess Institutional Voter, an Excess Noninstitutional Voter or an Excess Owner.

     (iv) The Plan shall not issue any class or series of security other than (i) shares of common stock having identical terms or options or derivatives of such common stock, (ii) non-voting, non-convertible debt securities or (iii) such other securities as the Plan may approve, provided that BCBSA receives notice at least thirty days prior to the issuance of such securities, including a description of the terms for such securities, and BCBSA shall have the authority to determine how such other securities will be counted in determining whether any Person is an Excess Institutional Voter, Excess Noninstitutional Voter or an Excess Owner.

     (v) For purposes of paragraph 9(d)(iii), the following definitions shall apply:

     (a) “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect on November 17, 1993 (the “Exchange Act”).

     (b) A Person shall be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of and shall be deemed to “beneficially own” any securities:

          (i) which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly;

Amended as of September 17, 1997

-5a-

 


 

          (ii) which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has (A) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; or (B) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any security if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such security (1) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act and (2) is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report); or

          (iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) with which such Person (or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates) has any agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities) relating to the acquisition, holding, voting (except to the extent contemplated by the proviso to (b)(ii)(B) above) or disposing of any securities of the Plan.

Notwithstanding anything in this definition of Beneficial Ownership to the contrary, the phrase “then outstanding,” when used with reference to a Person’s Beneficial Ownership of securities of the Plan, shall mean the number of such securities then issued and outstanding together with the number of such securities not then actually issued and outstanding which such Person would be deemed to own beneficially hereunder.

     (c) A Person shall be deemed an “Institutional Investor” if (but only if) such Person (i) is an entity or group identified in the SEC’s Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii) as constituted on June 1, 1997, and (ii) every filing made by such Person with the SEC under Regulation 13D-G (or any successor Regulation) with respect to such Person’s Beneficial Ownership of Plan securities shall have contained a certification identical to the one required by item 10 of SEC Schedule 13G as constituted on June 1, 1997.

     (d) “Noninstitutional Investor” means any Person who is not an Institutional Investor.

     (e) “Person” shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, trust, association, joint venture or other entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

Amended as of September 17, 1997

(The next page is page 6)

-5b-

 


 

     10. This License Agreement shall remain in effect: (a) until terminated as provided herein; or (b) until this and all such other License Agreements are terminated by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Plans and three-fourths of the total then current weighted vote of all the Plans; or (c) until termination of aforesaid Ownership Agreement; or (d) until terminated by the Plan upon eighteen (18) months written notice to BCBSA or upon a shorter notice period approved by BCBSA in writing at its sole discretion.

     11. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 15 below or by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Plans and three-fourths of the total then current weighted vote of all the Plans, or unless this and all such other License Agreements are simultaneously terminated by force of law, the termination of this License Agreement for any reason whatsoever shall cause the reversion to BCBSA of all rights in and to the Licensed Marks and Name, and the Plan agrees that it will promptly discontinue all use of the Licensed Marks and Name, will not use them thereafter, and will promptly, upon written notice from BCBSA, change its corporate name so as to eliminate the Licensed Name therefrom.

     12. The license hereby granted to Plan to use the Licensed Marks and Name is and shall be personal to the Plan so licensed and shall not be assignable by any act of the Plan, directly or indirectly, without the written consent of BCBSA. Said license shall not be assignable by operation of law, nor shall Plan mortgage or part with possession or control of this license or any right hereunder, and the Plan shall have no right to grant any sublicense to use the Licensed Marks and Name.

     13. BCBSA shall maintain appropriate service mark registrations of the Licensed Marks and BCBSA shall take such lawful steps and proceedings as may be necessary or proper to prevent use of the Licensed Marks by any person who is not authorized to use the same. Any actions or proceedings undertaken by BCBSA under the provisions of this paragraph shall be at BCBSA’s sole cost and expense. BCBSA shall have the sole right to determine whether or not any legal action shall be taken on account of unauthorized use of the Licensed Marks, such right not to be unreasonably exercised. The Plan shall report any unlawful usage of the Licensed Marks to BCBSA in writing and agrees, free of charge, to cooperate fully with BCBSA’s program of enforcing and protecting the service mark rights, trade name rights and other rights in the Licensed Marks.

     14. The Plan hereby agrees to save, defend, indemnify and hold BCBSA and any other Plan(s) harmless from and against all claims, damages, liabilities and costs of every kind, nature and description which may arise exclusively and directly as a result of the activities of the Plan. BCBSA hereby agrees to save, defend, indemnify and hold the Plan and any other Plan(s) harmless from and against all claims, damages, liabilities and costs of every kind, nature and description which may arise exclusively and directly as a result of the activities of BCBSA.

Amended as of June 16, 2005

-6-

 


 

     15. (a). This Agreement shall automatically terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a voluntary petition shall be filed by the Plan or by BCBSA seeking bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement with creditors or other relief under the bankruptcy laws of the United States or any other law governing insolvency or debtor relief, or (ii) an involuntary petition or proceeding shall be filed against the Plan or BCBSA seeking bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement with creditors or other relief under the bankruptcy laws of the United States or any other law governing insolvency or debtor relief and such petition or proceeding is consented to or acquiesced in by the Plan or BCBSA or is not dismissed within sixty (60) days of the date upon which the petition or other document commencing the proceeding is served upon the Plan or BCBSA respectively, or (iii) an order for relief is entered against the Plan or BCBSA in any case under the bankruptcy laws of the United States, or the Plan or BCBSA is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted in the state of Illinois) by any court of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) the Plan or BCBSA makes a general assignment of its assets for the benefit of creditors, or (v) any government or any government official, office, agency, branch, or unit assumes control of the Plan or delinquency proceedings (voluntary or involuntary) are instituted, or (vi) an action is brought by the Plan or BCBSA seeking its dissolution or liquidation of its assets or seeking the appointment of a trustee, interim trustee, receiver or other custodian for any of its property or business, or (vii) an action is instituted by any governmental entity or officer against the Plan or BCBSA seeking its dissolution or liquidation of its assets or seeking appointment of a trustee, interim trustee, receiver or other custodian for any of its property or business and such action is consented to or acquiesced in by the Plan or BCBSA or is not dismissed within one hundred thirty (130) days of the date upon which the pleading or other document commencing the action is served upon the Plan or BCBSA respectively, provided that if the action is stayed or its prosecution is enjoined, the one hundred thirty (130) day period is tolled for the duration of the stay or injunction, and provided further, that the Association’s Board of Directors may toll or extend the 130 day period at any time prior to its expiration, or (viii) a trustee, interim trustee, receiver or other custodian for any of the Plan’s or BCBSA’s property or business is appointed, or the Plan or BCBSA is ordered dissolved or liquidated, or (ix) the Plan shall fail to pay its dues and shall not cure such failure within thirty (30) days of receiving written notice thereof, or (x) if, due to regulatory action, the Plan together with any applicable Controlled Affiliate becomes unable to do business using the Names and Marks in any State or portion thereof included in its Service Area, provided that: (i) automatic termination shall not occur prior to the exhaustion by any such Plan of its rights to appeal or challenge such regulatory action; and (ii) in the event the Plan is licensed to do business using the Names and Marks in multiple States or portions of States, the termination of its License Agreement shall be solely limited to the State(s) or portions thereof in which the regulatory action applies. By not appealing or challenging such regulatory action within the time prescribed by law or regulation, and in any event no later than 120 days after such action is taken, a Plan shall be deemed to have exhausted its rights to appeal or challenge, and automatic termination shall proceed.

-7-

 


 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a declaration or a request for declaration of the existence of a trust over any of the Plan’s or BCBSA’s property or business shall not in itself be deemed to constitute or seek appointment of a trustee, interim trustee, receiver or other custodian for purposes of subparagraphs 15(a)(vii) and (viii) of this Agreement.

Amended as of September 14, 2004

-7a-

 


 

     (b). BCBSA, or the Plans (as provided and in addition to the rights conferred in Paragraph 10(b) above), may terminate this Agreement immediately upon written notice upon the occurrence of either of the following events: (a) the Plan or BCBSA becomes insolvent (as that term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code enacted in the state of Illinois), or (b) any final judgment against the Plan or BCBSA remains unsatisfied or unbonded of record for a period of sixty (60) days or longer.

     (c). If this License Agreement is terminated as to BCBSA for any reason stated in subparagraphs 15(a) and (b) above, the ownership of the Licensed Marks shall revert to each of the Plans.

     (d). Upon termination of this License Agreement or any Controlled Affiliate License Agreement of a Larger Controlled Affiliate, as defined in Exhibit 1 to this License Agreement, the following conditions shall apply, except that, in the event of a partial termination of this Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 15 (a)(x)(ii) of this Agreement, the notices, national account listing, payment and audit right listed below shall be applicable solely with respect to the geographic area for which the Plan’s license to use the Licensed Names and Marks is terminated:

 

(i)

 

The terminated entity shall send a notice through the U.S. mails, with first class postage affixed, to all individual and group customers, providers, brokers and agents of products or services sold, marketed, underwritten or administered by the terminated entity or its Controlled Affiliates under the Licensed Marks and Name. The form and content of the notice shall be specified by BCBSA and shall, at a minimum, notify the recipient of the termination of the license, the consequences thereof, and instructions for obtaining alternate products or services licensed by BCBSA, subject to any conflicting state law and state regulatory requirements. This notice shall be mailed within 15 days after termination or, if termination is pursuant to paragraph 10(d) of this Agreement, within 15 days after the written notice to BCBSA described in paragraph 10(d).

 

 

(ii)

 

The terminated entity shall deliver to BCBSA within five days of a request by BCBSA a listing of national accounts in which the terminated entity is involved (in a Control, Participating or Servicing capacity), identifying the national account and the terminated entity’s role therein. For those accounts where the terminated entity is the Control Plan, the Plan must also indicate the Participating and Servicing Plans in the national account syndicate.

Amended as of June 16, 2005

-8-

 


 

 

(iii)

 

Unless the cause of termination is an event stated in paragraph 15(a) or (b) above respecting BCBSA, the Plan and its Licensed Controlled Affiliates shall be jointly liable for payment to BCBSA of an amount equal to the Re-Establishment Fee (described below) multiplied by the number of Licensed Enrollees of the terminated entity and its Licensed Controlled Affiliates; provided that if any other Plan is permitted by BCBSA to use marks or names licensed by BCBSA in the Service Area established by this Agreement, the Re-Establishment Fee shall be multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Licensed Enrollees of the terminated entity and its Licensed Controlled Affiliates and the denominator of which is the total number of Licensed Enrollees in the Service Area. The Re-Establishment Fee shall be indexed to a base fee of $80. The Re-Establishment Fee through December 31, 2005 shall be $80. The Re-Establishment Fee for calendar years after December 31, 2005 shall be adjusted on January 1 of each calendar year up to and including January 1, 2010 and shall be the base fee multiplied by 100% plus the cumulative percentage increase or decrease in the Plans’ gross administrative expense (standard BCBSA definition) per Licensed Enrollee since December 31, 2004. The adjustment shall end on January 1, 2011, at which time the Re-Establishment Fee shall be fixed at the then-current amount and no longer automatically adjusted. For example, if the Plans’ gross administrative expense per Licensed Enrollee was $278.60, $285.00 and $290.00 for calendar year end 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively, the January 1, 2007 Re-Establishment Fee would be $83.27 (100% of the base fee plus $1.84 for calendar year 2005 and $1.43 for calendar year 2006). Licensed Enrollee means each and every person and covered dependent who is enrolled as an individual or member of a group receiving products or services sold, marketed or administered under marks or names licensed by BCBSA as determined at the earlier of (a) the end of the last fiscal year of the terminated entity which ended prior to termination or (b) the fiscal year which ended before any transactions causing the termination began. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amount payable pursuant to this subparagraph (d)(iii) shall be due only to the extent that, in BCBSA’s

Amended as of June 16, 2005

-8a-

 


 

 

 

 

opinion, it does not cause the net worth of the Plan to fall below 100% of the Health Risk-Based Capital formula or its equivalent under any successor formula, as set forth in the applicable financial responsibility standards established by BCBSA (provided such equivalent is approved for purposes of this sub paragraph by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Plans and three-fourths of the total then current weighted vote of all the Plans), measured as of the date of termination and adjusted for the value of any transactions not made in the ordinary course of business. This payment shall not be due in connection with transactions exclusively by or among Plan or their affiliates, including reorganizations, combinations or mergers, where the BCBSA Board of Directors determines that the license termination does not result in a material diminution in the number of Licensed Enrollees or the extent of their coverage. At least 50% of the Re-Establishment Fee shall be awarded to the Plan (or Plans) that receive the new license(s) for the service area(s) at issue; provided, however, that such award shall not become due or payable until all disputes, if any, regarding the amount of and BCBSA’s right to such Re-Establishment Fee have been finally resolved; and provided further that the award shall be based on the final amount actually received by BCBSA. The Board of Directors shall adopt a resolution which it may amend from time to time that shall govern BCBSA’s use of its portion of the award. In the event that the terminated entity’s license is reinstated by BCBSA or is deemed to have remained in effect without interruption by a court of competent jurisdiction, BCBSA shall reimburse the Plan (and/or its Licensed Controlled Affiliates, as the case may be) for payments made under this subparagraph only to the extent that such payments exceed the amounts due to BCBSA pursuant to subparagraph 15(d)(vi) and any costs associated with reestablishing the Service Area, including any payments made by BCBSA to a Plan or Plans (or their Licensed Controlled Affiliates) for purposes of replacing the terminated entity.

 

 

(iv)

 

The terminated entity shall comply with all financial settlement procedures set forth in BCBSA’s License Termination Contingency Plan, as amended from time

Amended as of June 16, 2005

-8b-

 


 

 

 

 

to time and shall work diligently and in good faith with BCBSA, any Alternative Control Licensee or Replacement Licensee and any existing or potential new account for Blue-branded products and services to minimize the disruption of termination, and honor, to the fullest extent possible, the desire of accounts to continue to receive or obtain Blue-branded products and services through a new Licensee (“Transition”). Such diligence and good faith on the part of the terminated entity shall include, but not be limited to: (a) working cooperatively with BCBSA to protect the Names and Marks from potential harm; (b) cooperating with BCBSA’s use of the Names and Marks in the terminated entity’s former service area during the termination and Transition; (c) transmitting, upon the request of an existing Blue account or of BCBSA with consent and on behalf of an existing Blue account, all member and account-data relating to the Federal Employee Program to BCBSA, and all member and account data relating to other programs to an Alternative Control Licensee or Replacement Licensee; (d) working with BCBSA and the Alternative Control or Replacement Licensee with respect to potential new Blue accounts headquartered in the terminated entity’s former service area; (e) continuing to service Blue accounts during the Transition; (f) continuing to comply with National Programs, Federal Employee Program and NASCO policies and procedures and all voluntary BCBSA programs, policies and performance standards, such as Away From Home Care, including being responsible for payment of all penalties for non-compliance duly levied in conformity with the License Agreements, Membership Standards, or the Federal Employee Program agreements, that may arise during the Transition; (g) maintaining and providing access to its provider networks, as defined by Federal Employee Program agreements and National Account Program Policies and Provisions, and Inter-Plan Programs Policies and Provisions, and making those networks and discounts available to members and providers who participate in National Programs and the Federal Employee Program during the Transition; (h) maintaining its technical connections and processing capabilities during the Transition; and (i) working diligently to conclude all financial settlements and account reconciliations as negotiated in the termination transition agreement.

Amended as of November 16, 2006

-8c-

 


 

 

(v)

 

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, BCBSA shall have the right, with the approval of its Board of Directors, to assess additional fines against the terminated entity during the Transition in the event it fails to maintain and provide access to provider networks as defined by Federal Employee Program agreements, National Account Program Policies and Provisions, and Inter-Plan Programs Policies and Provisions, and/or pass on applicable discounts. Such fines shall be in addition to any other assessments, fees or liquidated damages payable herein, or under existing policies and programs and shall be imposed to make whole BCBSA and/or the Plans. Terminated entity shall pay any such fines to BCBSA no later than 30 days after they are approved by the Board of Directors.

 

 

(vi)

 

BCBSA shall have the right to examine and audit and/or hire at terminated entity’s expense a third-party auditor to examine and audit the books and records of the terminated entity and its Licensed Controlled Affiliates to verify compliance with the terms and requirements this paragraph 15(d).

 

 

(vii)

 

Subsequent to termination of this Agreement, the terminated entity and its affiliates, agents, and employees shall have an ongoing and continuing obligation to protect all BCBSA and Blue Licensee data that was acquired or accessed during the period this Agreement was in force, including but not limited to all confidential processes, pricing, provider, discount and other strategic and competitively sensitive information (“Blue Information”) from disclosure, and shall not, either alone or with another entity, disclose such Blue Information or use it in any manner to compete without the express written permission of BCBSA.

 

 

(viii)

 

As to a breach of 15 (d) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (vi), or (vii) the parties agree that the obligations are immediately enforceable in a court of competent jurisdiction. As to a breach of 15 (d) (i), (ii), (iv), (vi), or (vii) by the Plan, the parties agree there is no adequate remedy at law and BCBSA is entitled to obtain specific performance.

Amended as of November 16, 2006

-8d-

 


 

 

(ix)

 

In the event that the terminated entity’s license is reinstated by BCBSA or is deemed to have remained in effect without interruption by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Plan and its Licensed Controlled Affiliates shall be jointly liable for reimbursing BCBSA the reasonable costs incurred by BCBSA in connection with the termination and the reinstatement or court action, and any associated legal proceedings, including but not limited to: outside legal fees, consulting fees, public relations fees, advertising costs, and costs incurred to develop, lease or establish an interim provider network. Any amount due to BCBSA under this subparagraph may be waived in whole or in part by the BCBSA Board of Directors in its sole discretion.

     (e). BCBSA shall be entitled to enjoin the Plan or any related party in a court of competent jurisdiction from entry into any transaction which would result in a termination of this License Agreement unless the License Agreement has been terminated pursuant to paragraph 10 (d) of this Agreement upon the required six (6) month written notice.

     (f). BCBSA acknowledges that it is not the owner of assets of the Plan.

Amended as of June 16, 2005

-8e-

 


 

     16. This Agreement supersedes any and all other agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein, and contains all of the covenants and agreements of the parties as to the licensing of the Licensed Marks and Name. This Agreement may be amended only by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Plans and three-fourths of the total then current weighted vote of all the Plans as officially recorded by the BCBSA Corporate Secretary.

     17. If any provision or any part of any provision of this Agreement is judicially declared unlawful, each and every other provision, or any part of any provision, shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding such judicial declaration.

     18. No waiver by BCBSA or the Plan of any breach or default in performance on the part of BCBSA or the Plan or any other licensee of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement shall constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach or default in performance of said terms, covenants or conditions.

     19a. All notices provided for hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent in duplicate by regular mail to BCBSA or the Plan at the address currently published for each by BCBSA and shall be marked respectively to the attention of the President and, if any, the General Counsel, of BCBSA or the Plan.

Amended as of November 20, 1997

-8f-

 


 

     19b. Except as provided in paragraphs 9(b), 9(d)(iii), 15(a), and 15(b) above, this Agreement may be terminated for a breach only upon at least 30 days’ written notice to the Plan advising of the specific matters at issue and granting the Plan an opportunity to be heard and to present its response to the Member Plans.

     19c. For all provisions of this Agreement referring to voting, the term ‘Plans’ shall mean all entities licensed under the Blue Cross License Agreement and/or the Blue Shield License Agreement, and in all votes of the Plans under this Agreement the Plans shall vote together. For weighted votes of the Plans, the Plan shall have a number of votes equal to the number of weighted votes (if any) that it holds as a Blue Cross Plan plus the number of weighted votes (if any) that it holds as a Blue Shield Plan. For all other votes of the Plans, the Plan shall have one vote. For all questions requiring an affirmative three-fourths weighted vote of the Plans, the requirement shall be deemed satisfied with a lesser weighted vote unless the greater of: (i) 6/52 or more of the Plans (rounded to the nearest whole number, with 0.5 or multiples thereof being rounded to the next higher whole number) fail to cast weighted votes in favor of the question; or (ii) three (3) of the Plans fail to cast weighted votes in favor of the question. Notwithstanding the foregoing provision, if there are thirty-nine (39) Plans, the requirement of an affirmative three-fourths weighted vote shall be deemed satisfied with a lesser weighted vote unless four (4) or more Plans fail to cast weighted votes in favor of the question.

Amended as of June 16, 2005

(The next page is page 9)

-8g-

 


 

     20. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to constitute the parties hereto as partners or joint venturers, or either as the agent of the other, and Plan shall have no right to bind or obligate BCBSA in any way, nor shall it represent that it has any right to do so. BCBSA shall have no liability to third parties with respect to any aspect of the business, activities, operations, products, or services of the Plan.

     21. This Agreement shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this License Agreement to be executed, effective as of the date of last signature written below.

BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

/s/ Scott P. Serota

 

 

 

 

 

Scott P. Serota

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title

 

President and CEO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

July 1, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Triple-S Management Corporation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

/s/ Ramón M. Ruiz Comas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title

 

CEO & President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

June 22, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-9-

 


 

EXHIBIT 1

BLUE CROSS
CONTROLLED AFFILIATE LICENSE AGREEMENT

( Includes revisions adopted by Member Plans through their March 19, 2009 meeting )

     This Agreement by and among Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (“BCBSA”) and                      (“Controlled Affiliate”), a Controlled Affiliate of the Blue Cross Plan(s), known as                      (“Plan”), which is also a Party signatory hereto.

     WHEREAS, BCBSA is the owner of the BLUE CROSS and BLUE CROSS Design service marks;

     WHEREAS, Plan and Controlled Affiliate desire that the latter be entitled to use the BLUE CROSS and BLUE CROSS Design service marks (collectively the “Licensed Marks”) as service marks and be entitled to use the term BLUE CROSS in a trade name (“Licensed Name”);

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

      1.  GRANT OF LICENSE

     Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, BCBSA hereby grants to Controlled Affiliate the right to use the Licensed Marks and Name in connection with, and only in connection with: (i) health care plans and related services, as defined in BCBSA’s License Agreement with Plan, and administering the non-health portion of workers’ compensation insurance, and (ii) underwriting the indemnity portion of workers’ compensation insurance, provided that Controlled Affiliate’s total premium revenue comprises less than 15 percent of the sponsoring Plan’s net subscription revenue.

This grant of rights is non-exclusive and is limited to the Service Area served by the Plan. Controlled Affiliate may use the Licensed Marks and Name in its legal name on the following conditions: (i) the legal name must be approved in advance, in writing, by BCBSA; (ii) Controlled Affiliate shall not do business outside the Service Area under any name or mark; and (iii) Controlled Affiliate shall not use the Licensed Marks and Name, or any derivative thereof, as part of any name or symbol used to identify itself in any securities market. Controlled Affiliate may use the Licensed Marks and Name in its Trade Name only with the prior, written, consent of BCBSA.

      2.  QUALITY CONTROL

     A. Controlled Affiliate agrees to use the Licensed Marks and Name only in connection with the licensed services and further agrees to be bound by the conditions regarding quality control shown in attached Exhibit A as they may be amended by BCBSA from time-to-time.

Amended as of November 16, 2000

 


 

     B. Controlled Affiliate agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws.

     C. Controlled Affiliate agrees that it will provide on an annual basis (or more often if reasonably required by Plan or by BCBSA) a report or reports to Plan and BCBSA demonstrating Controlled Affiliate’s compliance with the requirements of this Agreement including but not limited to the quality control provisions of this paragraph and the attached Exhibit A.

     D. Controlled Affiliate agrees that Plan and/or BCBSA may, from time-to-time, upon reasonable notice, review and inspect the manner and method of Controlled Affiliate’s rendering of service and use of the Licensed Marks and Name.

     E. As used herein, a Controlled Affiliate is defined as an entity organized and operated in such a manner, that it meets the following requirements:

(1) A Plan or Plans authorized to use the Licensed Marks in the Service Area of the Controlled Affiliate pursuant to separate License Agreement(s) with BCBSA, other than such Controlled Affiliate’s License Agreement(s), (the “Controlling Plan(s)”), must have the legal authority directly or indirectly through wholly-owned subsidiaries to select members of the Controlled Affiliate’s governing body having not less than 50% voting control thereof and to:

     (a) prevent any change in the articles of incorporation, bylaws or other establishing or governing documents of the Controlled Affiliate with which the Controlling Plan(s) do(es) not concur;

     (b) exercise control over the policy and operations of the Controlled Affiliate at least equal to that exercised by persons or entities (jointly or individually) other than the Controlling Plan(s); and

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in (a) through (b) hereof, the Controlled Affiliate’s establishing or governing documents must also require written approval by the Controlling Plan(s) before the Controlled Affiliate can:

 

(i)

 

change its legal and/or trade names;

 

 

(ii)

 

change the geographic area in which it operates;

 

 

(iii)

 

change any of the type(s) of businesses in which it engages;

2


 

 

(iv)

 

create, or become liable for by way of guarantee, any indebtedness, other than indebtedness arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

 

(v)

 

sell any assets, except for sales in the ordinary course of business or sales of equipment no longer useful or being replaced;

 

 

(vi)

 

make any loans or advances except in the ordinary course of business;

 

 

(vii)

 

enter into any arrangement or agreement with any party directly or indirectly affiliated with any of the owners or persons or entities with the authority to select or appoint members or board members of the Controlled Affiliate, other than the Plan or Plans (excluding owners of stock holdings of under 5% in a publicly traded Controlled Affiliate);

 

 

(viii)

 

conduct any business other than under the Licensed Marks and Name;

 

 

(ix)

 

take any action that any Controlling Plan or BCBSA reasonably believes will adversely affect the Licensed Marks and Name.

In addition, a Plan or Plans directly or indirectly through wholly owned subsidiaries shall own at least 50% of any for-profit Controlled Affiliate.

Or

(2) A Plan or Plans authorized to use the Licensed Marks in the Service Area of the Controlled Affiliate pursuant to separate License Agreement(s) with BCBSA, other than such Controlled Affiliate’s License Agreement(s), (the “Controlling Plan(s)”), have the legal authority directly or indirectly through wholly-owned subsidiaries to select members of the Controlled Affiliate’s governing body having more than 50% voting control thereof and to:

 

(a)

 

prevent any change in the articles of incorporation, bylaws or other establishing or governing documents of the Controlled Affiliate with which the Controlling Plan(s) do(es) not concur;

 

 

(b)

 

exercise control over the policy and operations of the Controlled Affiliate.

In addition, a Plan or Plans directly or indirectly through wholly-owned subsidiaries shall own more than 50% of any for-profit Controlled Affiliate.

3


 

      3.  SERVICE MARK USE

     A. Controlled Affiliate recognizes the importance of a comprehensive national network of independent BCBSA licensees which are committed to strengthening the Licensed Marks and Name. The Controlled Affiliate further recognizes that its actions within its Service Area may affect the value of the Licensed Marks and Name nationwide.

     B. Controlled Affiliate shall at all times make proper service mark use of the Licensed Marks and Name, including but not limited to use of such symbols or words as BCBSA shall specify to protect the Licensed Marks and Name and shall comply with such rules (generally applicable to Controlled Affiliates licensed to use the Licensed Marks and Name) relative to service mark use, as are issued from time-to-time by BCBSA. Controlled Affiliate recognizes and agrees that all use of the Licensed Marks and Name by Controlled Affiliate shall inure to the benefit of BCBSA.

     C. Controlled Affiliate may not directly or indirectly use the Licensed Marks and Name in a manner that transfers or is intended to transfer in the Service Area the goodwill associated therewith to another mark or name, nor may Controlled Affiliate engage in activity that may dilute or tarnish the unique value of the Licensed Marks and Name.

     D. If Controlled Affiliate meets the standards of 2E(1) but not 2E(2) above and any of Controlled Affiliate’s advertising or promotional material is reasonably determined by BCBSA and/or the Plan to be in contravention of rules and regulations governing the use of the Licensed Marks and Name, Controlled Affiliate shall for ninety (90) days thereafter obtain prior approval from BCBSA of advertising and promotional efforts using the Licensed Marks and Name, approval or disapproval thereof to be forthcoming within five (5) business days of receipt of same by BCBSA or its designee. In all advertising and promotional efforts, Controlled Affiliate shall observe the Service Area limitations applicable to Plan.

     E. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan’s License Agreement with BCBSA or in this Agreement, Controlled Affiliate shall use its best efforts to promote and build the value of the Licensed Marks and Name.

Amended as of June 16, 2005

4


 

      4.  SUBLICENSING AND ASSIGNMENT

     Controlled Affiliate shall not, directly or indirectly, sublicense, transfer, hypothecate, sell, encumber or mortgage, by operation of law or otherwise, the rights granted hereunder and any such act shall be voidable at the sole option of Plan or BCBSA. This Agreement and all rights and duties hereunder are personal to Controlled Affiliate.

      5.  INFRINGEMENT

     Controlled Affiliate shall promptly notify Plan and Plan shall promptly notify BCBSA of any suspected acts of infringement, unfair competition or passing off that may occur in relation to the Licensed Marks and Name. Controlled Affiliate shall not be entitled to require Plan or BCBSA to take any actions or institute any proceedings to prevent infringement, unfair competition or passing off by third parties. Controlled Affiliate agrees to render to Plan and BCBSA, without charge, all reasonable assistance in connection with any matter pertaining to the protection of the Licensed Marks and Name by BCBSA.

      6.  LIABILITY INDEMNIFICATION

     Controlled Affiliate and Plan hereby agree to save, defend, indemnify and hold BCBSA harmless from and against all claims, damages, liabilities and costs of every kind, nature and description (except those arising solely as a result of BCBSA’s negligence) that may arise as a result of or related to Controlled Affiliate’s rendering of services under the Licensed Marks and Name.

      7.  LICENSE TERM

     A. Except as otherwise provided herein, the license granted by this Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of one (1) year and shall be automatically extended for additional one (1) year periods unless terminated pursuant to the provisions herein.

     B. This Agreement and all of Controlled Affiliate’s rights hereunder shall immediately terminate without any further action by any party or entity in the event that: (i) the Plan ceases to be authorized to use the Licensed Marks and Name; or (ii) pursuant to Paragraph 15(a)(x) of the Blue Cross License Agreement the Plan ceases to be authorized to use the Licensed Names and Marks in the geographic area served by the Controlled Affiliate provided, however, that if the Controlled Affiliate is serving more than one State or portions thereof, the termination of this Agreement shall be limited to the State(s) or portions thereof in which the Plan’s license to use the Licensed Marks and Names is terminated. By not appealing or challenging such regulatory action within the time prescribed by law or regulation, and in any event no later than 120 days after such action is taken, a Plan shall be deemed to have exhausted its rights to appeal or challenge, and automatic termination shall proceed.

Amended as of September 14, 2004

5


 

     C. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this license to use the Licensed Marks and Name may be forthwith terminated by the Plan or the affirmative vote of the majority of the Board of Directors of BCBSA present and voting at a special meeting expressly called by BCBSA for the purpose on ten (10) days written notice to the Plan advising of the specific matters at issue and granting the Plan an opportunity to be heard and to present its response to the Board for: (1) failure to comply with any applicable minimum capital or liquidity requirement under the quality control standards of this Agreement; or (2) failure to comply with the “Organization and Governance” quality control standard of this Agreement; or (3) impending financial insolvency; or (4) for a Smaller Controlled Affiliate (as defined in Exhibit A), failure to comply with any of the applicable requirements of Standards 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 of attached Exhibit A; or (5) the pendency of any action instituted against the Controlled Affiliate seeking its dissolution or liquidation of its assets or seeking appointment of a trustee, interim trustee, receiver or other custodian for any of its property or business or seeking the declaration or establishment of a trust for any of its property or business, unless this Controlled Affiliate License Agreement has been earlier terminated under paragraph 7(e); or (6) failure by a Controlled Affiliate that meets the standards of 2E(1) but not 2E(2) above to obtain BCBSA’s written consent to a change in the identity of any owner, in the extent of ownership, or in the identity of any person or entity with the authority to select or appoint members or board members, provided that as to publicly traded Controlled Affiliates this provision shall apply only if the change affects a person or entity that owns at least 5% of the Controlled Affiliate’s stock before or after the change; or (7) such other reason as is determined in good faith immediately and irreparably to threaten the integrity and reputation of BCBSA, the Plans, any other licensee including Controlled Affiliate and/or the Licensed Marks and Name.

     D. Except as otherwise provided in Paragraphs 7(B), 7(C) or 7(E) herein, should Controlled Affiliate fail to comply with the provisions of this Agreement and not cure such failure within thirty (30) days of receiving written notice thereof (or commence a cure within such thirty day period and continue diligent efforts to complete the cure if such curing cannot reasonably be completed within such thirty day period) BCBSA or the Plan shall have the right to issue a notice that the Controlled Affiliate is in a state of noncompliance. If a state of noncompliance as aforesaid is undisputed by the Controlled Affiliate or is found to exist by a mandatory dispute resolution panel and is uncured as provided above, BCBSA shall have the right to seek judicial enforcement of the Agreement or to issue a notice of termination thereof. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, any disputes as to the termination of this License pursuant to Paragraphs 7(B), 7(C) or 7(E) of this Agreement shall not be subject to mediation and mandatory dispute resolution. All other disputes between BCBSA, the Plan and/or Controlled Affiliate shall be submitted promptly to mediation and mandatory dispute resolution. The mandatory dispute resolution panel shall have authority to issue orders for specific performance and assess monetary penalties. Except, however, as provided in Paragraphs 7(B) and 7(E) of this Agreement, this license to use the Licensed Marks and Name may not be finally terminated for any reason without the affirmative vote of a majority of the present and voting members of the Board of Directors of BCBSA.

6


 

     E. This Agreement and all of Controlled Affiliate’s rights hereunder shall immediately terminate without any further action by any party or entity in the event that:

     (1) Controlled Affiliate shall no longer comply with item 2(E) above;

     (2) Appropriate dues, royalties and other payments for Controlled Affiliate pursuant to paragraph 9 hereof, which are the royalties for this License Agreement, are more than sixty (60) days in arrears to BCBSA; or

     (3) Any of the following events occur: (i) a voluntary petition shall be filed by Controlled Affiliate seeking bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement with creditors or other relief under the bankruptcy laws of the United States or any other law governing insolvency or debtor relief, or (ii) an involuntary petition or proceeding shall be filed against Controlled Affiliate seeking bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement with creditors or other relief under the bankruptcy laws of the United States or any other law governing insolvency or debtor relief and such petition or proceeding is consented to or acquiesced in by Controlled Affiliate or is not dismissed within sixty (60) days of the date upon which the petition or other document commencing the proceeding is served upon the Controlled Affiliate, or (iii) an order for relief is entered against Controlled Affiliate in any case under the bankruptcy laws of the United States, or Controlled Affiliate is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent as those terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted in the State of Illinois by any court of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) Controlled Affiliate makes a general assignment of its assets for the benefit of creditors, or (v) any government or any government official, office, agency, branch, or unit assumes control of Controlled Affiliate or delinquency proceedings (voluntary or involuntary) are instituted, or (vi) an action is brought by Controlled Affiliate seeking its dissolution or liquidation of its assets or seeking the appointment of a trustee, interim trustee, receiver or other custodian for any of its property or business, or (vii) an action is instituted by any governmental entity or officer against Controlled Affiliate seeking its dissolution or liquidation of its assets or seeking the appointment of a trustee, interim trustee, receiver or other custodian for any of its property or business and such action is consented to or acquiesced in by Controlled Affiliate or is not dismissed within one hundred thirty (130) days of the date upon which the pleading or other document commencing the action is served upon the Controlled Affiliate, provided that if the action is stayed or its prosecution is enjoined, the one hundred thirty (130) day period is tolled for the duration of the stay or injunction, and provided further, that the Association’s Board of Directors may toll or extend the 130 day period at any time prior to its expiration, or (viii) a trustee, interim trustee, receiver or other custodian for any of Controlled Affiliate’s property or business is appointed or the Controlled Affiliate is ordered dissolved or liquidated. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a declaration or a request for declaration of the existence of a trust over any of the Controlled Affiliate’s property or business shall not in itself be deemed to constitute or seek appointment of a trustee, interim trustee, receiver or other custodian for purposes of subparagraphs 7(e)(3)(vii) and (viii) of this Agreement

Amended as of March 18, 2004

7


 

     F. Upon termination of this Agreement for cause or otherwise, Controlled Affiliate agrees that it shall immediately discontinue all use of the Licensed Marks and Name, including any use in its trade name.

     G. Upon termination of this Agreement, Controlled Affiliate shall immediately notify all of its customers that it is no longer a licensee of BCBSA and, if directed by the Association’s Board of Directors, shall provide instruction on how the customer can contact BCBSA or a designated licensee to obtain further information on securing coverage. The notification required by this paragraph shall be in writing and in a form approved by BCBSA. The BCBSA shall have the right to audit the terminated entity’s books and records to verify compliance with this paragraph.

     H. In the event this Agreement terminates pursuant to 7(b) hereof, or in the event the Controlled Affiliate is a Larger Controlled Affiliate (as defined in Exhibit A), upon termination of this Agreement, the provisions of Paragraph 7.G. shall not apply and the following provisions shall apply, except that, in the event of a partial termination of this Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 7(B)(ii) of this Agreement, the notices, national account listing, payment, and audit right listed below shall be applicable solely with respect to the geographic area for which the Plan’s license to use the Licensed Names and Marks is terminated:

     (1) The Controlled Affiliate shall send a notice through the U.S. mails, with first class postage affixed, to all individual and group customers, providers, brokers and agents of products or services sold, marketed, underwritten or administered by the Controlled Affiliate under the Licensed Marks and Name. The form and content of the notice shall be specified by BCBSA and shall, at a minimum, notify the recipient of the termination of the license, the consequences thereof, and instructions for obtaining alternate products or services licensed by BCBSA, subject to any conflicting state law and state regulatory requirements. This notice shall be mailed within 15 days after termination.

     (2) The Controlled Affiliate shall deliver to BCBSA within five days of a request by BCBSA a listing of national accounts in which the Controlled Affiliate is involved (in a control, participating or servicing capacity), identifying the national account and the Controlled Affiliate’s role therein.

     (3) Unless the cause of termination is an event respecting BCBSA stated in paragraph 15(a) or (b) of the Plan’s license agreement with BCBSA to use the Licensed Marks and Name, the Controlled Affiliate, the Plan, and any other Licensed Controlled Affiliates of the Plan shall be jointly liable for payment to BCBSA of an amount equal to the Re-Establishment Fee (described below) multiplied by the number of Licensed Enrollees of the Controlled Affiliate; provided that if any other Plan is permitted by BCBSA to use marks or names licensed by BCBSA in the Service Area established by this Agreement, the Re-Establishment Fee shall be multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Licensed Enrollees of the Controlled Affiliate, the Plan, and any other Licensed Controlled Affiliates and the denominator of which is the total number of Licensed Enrollees in the Service Area.

Amended as of June 16, 2005

8


 

The Re-Establishment Fee shall be indexed to a base fee of $80. The Re-Establishment Fee through December 31, 2005 shall be $80. The Re-establishment Fee for calendar years after December 31, 2005 shall be adjusted on January 1 of each calendar year up to and including January 1, 2010 and shall be the base fee multiplied by 100% plus the cumulative percentage increase or decrease in the Plans’ gross administrative expense (standard BCBSA definition) per Licensed Enrollee since December 31, 2004. The adjustment shall end on January 1, 2011, at which time the Re-Establishment Fee shall be fixed at the then-current amount and no longer automatically adjusted. For example, if the Plans’ gross administrative expense per Licensed Enrollee was $278.60, $285.00 and $290.00 for calendar year end 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively, the January 1, 2007 Re-Establishment Fee would be $83.27 (100% of base fee plus $1.84 for calendar year 2005 and $1.43 for calendar year 2006). Licensed Enrollee means each and every person and covered dependent who is enrolled as an individual or member of a group receiving products or services sold, marketed or administered under marks or names licensed by BCBSA as determined at the earlier of (i) the end of the last fiscal year of the terminated entity which ended prior to termination or (ii) the fiscal year which ended before any transactions causing the termination began. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amount payable pursuant to this subparagraph H. (3) shall be due only to the extent that, in BCBSA’s opinion, it does not cause the net worth of the Controlled Affiliate, the Plan or any other Licensed Controlled Affiliates of the Plan to fall below 100% of the Health Risk-Based Capital formula, or its equivalent under any successor formula, as set forth in the applicable financial responsibility standards established by BCBSA (provided such equivalent is approved for purposes of this sub paragraph by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Plans and three-fourths of the total then current weighted vote of all the Plans); measured as of the date of termination, and adjusted for the value of any transactions not made in the ordinary course of business. This payment shall not be due in connection with transactions exclusively by or among Plans or their affiliates, including reorganizations, combinations or mergers, where the BCBSA Board of Directors determines that the license termination does not result in a material diminution in the number of Licensed Enrollees or the extent of their coverage. At least 50% of the Re-Establishment Fee shall be awarded to the Plan (or Plans) that receive the new license(s) for the service area(s) at issue; provided, however, that such award shall not become due or payable until all disputes, if any, regarding the amount of and BCBSA’s right to such Re-Establishment Fee have been finally resolved; and provided further that the award shall be based on the final amount actually received by BCBSA. The Board of Directors shall adopt a resolution which it may amend from time to time that shall govern BCBSA’s use of its portion of the award. In the event that the Controlled Affiliate’s license is reinstated by BCBSA or is deemed to have remained in effect without interruption by a court of competent jurisdiction, BCBSA shall reimburse the Controlled Affiliate (and/or the Plan or its other Licensed Controlled Affiliates, as the case may be) for payments made under this subparagraph 7.H.(3) only to the extent that such payments exceed the amounts due to BCBSA pursuant to paragraph 7.M. and

Amended as of June 16, 2005

9


 

any costs associated with reestablishing the Service Area, including payments made by BCBSA to a Plan or Plans (or their Licensed Controlled Affiliates) for purposes of replacing the Controlled Affiliate.

     (4) BCBSA shall have the right to examine and audit and/or hire at terminated entity’s expense a third party auditor to examine and audit the books and records of the Controlled Affiliate, the Plan, and any other Licensed Controlled Affiliates of the Plan to verify compliance with this paragraph 7.H.

     (5) Subsequent to termination of this Agreement, the terminated entity and its affiliates, agents, and employees shall have an ongoing and continuing obligation to protect all BCBSA and Blue Licensee data that was acquired or accessed during the period this Agreement was in force, including but not limited to all confidential processes, pricing, provider, discount and other strategic and competitively sensitive information (“Blue Information”) from disclosure, and shall not, either alone or with another entity, disclose such Blue Information or use it in any manner to compete without the express written permission of BCBSA.

     (6) As to a breach of 7.H.(1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) the parties agree that the obligations are immediately enforceable in a court of competent jurisdiction. As to a breach of 7.H.(1), (2) or (4) by the Controlled Affiliate, the parties agree there is no adequate remedy at law and BCBSA is entitled to obtain specific performance.

     I. This Agreement shall remain in effect until terminated by the Controlled Affiliate upon not less than eighteen (18) months written notice to the Association or upon a shorter notice period approved by BCBSA in writing at its sole discretion, or until terminated as otherwise provided herein.

     J. In the event the Controlled Affiliate is a Smaller Controlled Affiliate (as defined in Exhibit A), the Controlled Affiliate agrees to be jointly liable for the amount described in H.3. and M. hereof upon termination of the BCBSA license agreement of any Larger Controlled Affiliate of the Plan.

     K. BCBSA shall be entitled to enjoin the Controlled Affiliate or any related party in a court of competent jurisdiction from entry into any transaction which would result in a termination of this Agreement unless the Plan’s license from BCBSA to use the Licensed Marks and Names has been terminated pursuant to 10(d) of the Plan’s license agreement upon the required 6 month written notice.

     L. BCBSA acknowledges that it is not the owner of assets of the Controlled Affiliate.

     M. In the event that the Plan has more than 50 percent voting control of the Controlled Affiliate under Paragraph 2(E)(2) above and is a Larger Controlled Affiliate (as defined in Exhibit A), then the vote called for in Paragraphs 7(C) and 7(D) above shall require the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Plans and three-fourths of the total then current weighted vote of all the Plans.

Amended as of June 16, 2005

10


 

     N. In the event this Agreement terminates and is subsequently reinstated by BCBSA or is deemed to have remained in effect without interruption by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Controlled Affiliate, the Plan, and any other Licensed Controlled Affiliates of the Plan shall be jointly liable for reimbursing BCBSA the reasonable costs incurred by BCBSA in connection with the termination and the reinstatement or court action, and any associated legal proceedings, including but not limited to: outside legal fees, consulting fees, public relations fees, advertising costs, and costs incurred to develop, lease or establish an interim provider network. Any amount due to BCBSA under this subparagraph may be waived in whole or in part by the BCBSA Board of Directors in its sole discretion.

      8.  DISPUTE RESOLUTION

     The parties agree that any disputes between them or between or among either of them and one or more Plans or Controlled Affiliates of Plans that use in any manner the Blue Cross and Blue Cross Marks and Name are subject to the Mediation and Mandatory Dispute Resolution process attached to and made a part of Plan’s License from BCBSA to use the Licensed Marks and Name as Exhibit 5 as amended from time-to-time, which documents are incorporated herein by reference as though fully set forth herein.

      9.  LICENSE FEE

     Controlled Affiliate will pay to BCBSA a fee for this License determined pursuant to the formula(s) set forth in Exhibit B.

      10.  JOINT VENTURE

     Nothing contained in the Agreement shall be construed as creating a joint venture, partnership, agency or employment relationship between Plan and Controlled Affiliate or between either and BCBSA.

Amended as of September 20, 2007

11


 

      11.  NOTICES AND CORRESPONDENCE

     Notices regarding the subject matter of this Agreement or breach or termination thereof shall be in writing and shall be addressed in duplicate to the last known address of each other party, marked respectively to the attention of its President and, if any, its General Counsel.

      12.  COMPLETE AGREEMENT

     This Agreement contains the complete understandings of the parties in relation to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may only be amended by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Plans and three-fourths of the total then current weighted vote of all the Plans as officially recorded by the BCBSA Corporate Secretary.

      13.  SEVERABILITY

     If any term of this Agreement is held to be unlawful by a court of competent jurisdiction, such findings shall in no way affect the remaining obligations of the parties hereunder and the court may substitute a lawful term or condition for any unlawful term or condition so long as the effect of such substitution is to provide the parties with the benefits of this Agreement.

      14.  NONWAIVER

     No waiver by BCBSA of any breach or default in performance on the part of Controlled Affiliate or any other licensee of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement shall constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach or default in performance of said terms, covenants or conditions.

      14A. VOTING

     For all provisions of this Agreement referring to voting, the term ‘Plans’ shall mean all entities licensed under the Blue Cross License Agreement and/or the Blue Shield License Agreement, and in all votes of the Plans under this Agreement the Plans shall vote together. For weighted votes of the Plans, the Plan shall have a number of votes equal to the number of weighted votes (if any) that it holds as a Blue Cross Plan plus the number of weighted votes (if any) that it holds as a Blue Shield Plan. For all other votes of the Plans, the Plan shall have one vote. For all questions requiring an affirmative three-fourths weighted vote of the Plans, the requirement shall be deemed satisfied with a lesser weighted vote unless the greater of: (i) 6/52 or more of the Plans (rounded to the nearest whole number, with 0.5 or multiples thereof being rounded to the next higher whole number) fail to cast weighted votes in favor of the question; or (ii) three (3) of the Plans fail to cast weighted votes in favor of the question. Notwithstanding the foregoing provision, if there are thirty-nine (39) Plans, the requirement of an affirmative three-fourths weighted vote shall be deemed satisfied with a lesser weighted vote unless four (4) or more Plans fail to cast weighted votes in favor of the question.

Amended as of June 16, 2005

12


 

THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY BLANK.

13


 

      15.  GOVERNING LAW

     This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Illinois.

      16.  HEADINGS

     The headings inserted in this agreement are for convenience only and shall have no bearing on the interpretation hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this License Agreement to be executed and effective as of the date of last signature written below.

Controlled Affiliate:

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14


 

EXHIBIT A

CONTROLLED AFFILIATE LICENSE STANDARDS
March 2009
PREAMBLE

The standards for licensing Controlled Affiliates are established by BCBSA and are subject to change from time-to-time upon the affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the Plans and three-fourths (3/4) of the total weighted vote. Each licensed Plan is required to use a standard Controlled Affiliate license form provided by BCBSA and to cooperate fully in assuring that the licensed Controlled Affiliate maintains compliance with the license standards.

The Controlled Affiliate License provides a flexible vehicle to accommodate the potential range of health and workers’ compensation related products and services Plan Controlled Affiliates provide. The Controlled Affiliate License collapses former health Controlled Affiliate licenses (HCC, HMO, PPO, TPA, and IDS) into a single license using the following business-based criteria to provide a framework for license standards:

 

Percent of Controlled Affiliate controlled by parent: Greater than 50 percent or 50 percent?

 

 

Risk assumption: yes or no?

 

 

Medical care delivery: yes or no?

 

 

Size of the Controlled Affiliate: If the Controlled Affiliate has health or workers’ compensation administration business, does such business constitute 15 percent or more of the parent’s and other licensed health subsidiaries’ member enrollment?

Amended as of September 19, 2002

15


 

EXHIBIT A (continued)

For purposes of definition:

 

A “smaller Controlled Affiliate:” (1) comprises less than fifteen percent (15%) of Plan’s and its licensed Controlled Affiliates’ total member enrollment (as reported on the BCBSA Quarterly Enrollment Report, excluding rider and freestanding coverage, and treating an entity seeking licensure as licensed);* or (2) underwrites the indemnity portion of workers’ compensation insurance and has total premium revenue less than 15 percent of the sponsoring Plan’s net subscription revenue.

 

A “larger Controlled Affiliate” comprises fifteen percent (15%) or more of Plan’s and its licensed Controlled Affiliates’ total member enrollment (as reported on the BCBSA Quarterly Enrollment Report, excluding rider and freestanding coverage, and treating an entity seeking licensure as licensed.)*

Changes in Controlled Affiliate status:

If any Controlled Affiliate’s status changes regarding: its Plan ownership level, its risk acceptance or direct delivery of medical care, the Controlled Affiliate shall notify BCBSA within thirty (30) days of such occurrence in writing and come into compliance with the applicable standards within six (6) months.

If a smaller Controlled Affiliate’s health and workers’ compensation administration business reaches or surpasses fifteen percent (15%) of the total member enrollment of the Plan and licensed Controlled Affiliates, the Controlled Affiliate shall:

Amended as of September 19, 2002

16


 

EXHIBIT A (continued)

1.

 

Within thirty (30) days, notify BCBSA of this fact in writing, including evidence that the Controlled Affiliate meets the minimum liquidity and capital (BCBSA “Health Risk-Based Capital (HRBC)” as defined by the NAIC and state-established minimum reserve) requirements of the larger Controlled Affiliate Financial Responsibility standard; and

2.

 

Within six (6) months after reaching or surpassing the fifteen percent (15%) threshold, demonstrate compliance with all license requirements for a larger Controlled Affiliate.

If a Controlled Affiliate that underwrites the indemnity portion of workers’ compensation insurance receives a change in rating or proposed change in rating, the Controlled Affiliate shall notify BCBSA within 30 days of notification by the external rating agency.

*For purposes of this calculation,

The numerator equals:

Applicant Controlled Affiliate’s member enrollment, as defined in BCBSA’s Quarterly Enrollment Report (excluding rider and freestanding coverage).

The denominator equals:

Numerator PLUS Plan and all other licensed Controlled Affiliates’ member enrollment, as reported in BCBSA’s Quarterly Enrollment Report (excluding rider and freestanding coverage).

Amended as of September 19, 2002

17


 

EXHIBIT A (continued)

STANDARDS FOR LICENSED CONTROLLED AFFILIATES

As described in Preamble section of Exhibit A to the Affiliate License Agreement, each controlled affiliate seeking licensure must answer four questions. Depending on the controlled affiliate’s answers, certain standards apply:

1. What percent of the controlled affiliate is controlled by the parent Plan?

 

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