1550

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 112

(3) The rates are set equitably among all purchasers
or classes of purchasers without undue discrimination or
preference[.]; AND

(4) TOTAL NET PATIENT SERVICE REVENUES FOR ALL
HOSPITALS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE COMMISSION DO NOT EXCEED
THE STATE AFFORDABILITY LIMIT ESTABLISHED UNDER § 19-207.3 OF
THIS SUBTITLE.

(b)  (1) To carry out its powers under subsection (a) of
this section, the Commission may review and approve or disapprove
the reasonableness of any rate that a facility sets or requests.

(2)  A facility shall charge for services only at a
rate set in accordance with this subtitle.

(3)  IN DETERMINING THE REASONABLENESS OF RATES, THE
COMMISSION MAY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT OBJECTIVE STANDARDS OF
EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS.

[(3)] (4) In determining the reasonableness of rates
for clinic services of a health care facility, the Commission may
consider the rates for similar services provided in nonhospital
settings located in the same county as the health care facility.

(c)  To promote the most efficient and effective use of
health care facility services and, if it is in the public
interest and consistent with this subtitle, the Commission may
promote and approve alternate methods of rate determination and
payment that are of an experimental nature.

19-217.

(a)  (1) To have the statistical information needed for rate
review and approval, the Commission shall compile all relevant
financial and accounting information.

(2) The information shall include:

(i) Necessary operating expenses;

(ii) Appropriate expenses that are incurred in
providing services to patients who cannot or do not pay;

(iii) Incurred interest charges; and

(iv) Reasonable depreciation expenses that are
based on the expected useful life of property or equipment.

(b)  The Commission shall define, by rule or regulation, the
types and classes of charges that may OR MAY not be changed,
except as specified in § 19-219 of this subtitle.

(c)  The Commission shall obtain from each facility its
current rate schedule and each later change in the schedule that
the Commission requires.