Management, Service and Cost-Sharing Agreements. These instructions and the accompanying Delegation of Insurer Functions Checklist set forth guidelines for management, service and cost-sharing arrangements that domestic or commercially domiciled insurers may enter into with an affiliate as defined under California Insurance Code Section 1215.
An aspartate aminotransferase (AST) test measures the amount of this enzyme in the blood. AST is normally found in red blood cells, liver, heart, muscle tissue, pancreas, and kidneys. AST formerly was called serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT). Low levels of AST are normally found in the blood. When body tissue or an organ such as the heart or liver is diseased or damaged, additional AST is released into the bloodstream.
AST is often measured to monitor treatment of persons with liver disease and may be ordered either by itself or along with other tests for this purpose. Sometimes AST may be used to monitor people who are taking medications that are potentially toxic to the liver.