(a) Membership. The Supplemental Health Insurance Panel (Panel) consists of—

(1) The Secretary or a designee, who serves as chairperson, and

(2) Four State Commissioners or Superintendents of Insurance appointed by the President. (The terms Commissioner or Superintendent of Insurance include persons of similar rank.)

(b) Functions.

(1) The Panel determines whether or not a State regulatory program for Medicare supplemental health insurance policies meets and continues to meet minimum requirements specified in section 1882 of the Social Security Act.

(2) The chairperson of the Panel informs the State Commissioners and Superintendents of Insurance of all determinations made under paragraph (b)(1) of this section.