(b) The Commissioner shall:

(1) collect a health care regulatory assessment from each carrier for the
costs attributable to the implementation of Title 15, Subtitles 10A, 10B, and 10C of
this article; and

(2) deposit the amounts collected under paragraph (1) of this subsection
into the health care regulatory fund established in § 2-112.3 of this subtitle.

(c) The health care regulatory assessment that is payable by each carrier
shall be calculated by taking the total costs under subsection (b)(1) of this section
multiplied by the percentage of gross direct health insurance premiums written in the
State attributable to that carrier in the prior calendar year.

15-10A-01.

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) (1) "Adverse decision" means a utilization review determination by a
private review agent, a carrier, or a health care provider acting on behalf of a carrier
that: 

(i) a proposed or delivered health care service covered under the
member's contract is or was not medically necessary, appropriate, or efficient; and

(ii) may result in noncoverage of the health care service.

(2) "Adverse decision" does not include a decision concerning a
subscriber's status as a member.

(c) "Carrier" means A PERSON THAT OFFERS A HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN AND

IS:

[(1) an insurer that offers health insurance other than long term care
insurance or disability insurance;]

(1) AN AUTHORIZED INSURER THAT PROVIDES HEALTH INSURANCE IN
THE STATE;

(2) a nonprofit health service plan;

(3) a health maintenance organization;

(4) a dental plan organization; or

(5) EXCEPT FOR A MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATION AS DEFINED IN TITLE
15, SUBTITLE 1 OF THE HEALTH - GENERAL ARTICLE, any other person that provides
health benefit plans subject to regulation by the State.

(d) "Complaint" means a protest filed with the Commissioner involving an
adverse decision or grievance decision concerning the member.

(e) "Grievance" means a protest filed by a member or a health care provider on
behalf of a member with a carrier through the carrier's internal grievance process
regarding an adverse decision concerning the member.