WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor Ch. 417

WHEREAS, Certain required coverages may have the potential to make the
health delivery system more efficient; and

WHEREAS, Analysis of mandated insurance benefits present a unique blend of
complex scientific, medical, statistical, and economic issues that require objective,
expert analysis; and

WHEREAS, The State will greatly benefit from the creation of a formalized,
expert review process to analyze and make findings regarding existing and proposed
mandated health insurance benefits; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 48A - Insurance Code

490M.

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED.

(2) "MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFIT" MEANS A
LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL OR STATUTE THAT REQUIRES A PARTICULAR
HEALTH CARE SERVICE, BENEFIT, COVERAGE, OR REIMBURSEMENT
FOR COVERED HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED OR OFFERED
IN A HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY OR CONTRACT ISSUED OR DELIVERED
IN THE STATE BY A NONPROFIT HEALTH SERVICE PLAN OR BY A
COMMERCIAL INSURER.

(3) "NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION" MEANS A
LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL OR STATUTE THAT PROHIBITS A NONPROFIT
HEALTH SERVICE PLAN OR COMMERCIAL INSURER WHO PROVIDES OR
OFFERS A PARTICULAR SERVICE, BENEFIT, COVERAGE, OR
REIMBURSEMENT FOR COVERED HEALTH CARE SERVICES FROM
EXCLUDING A SUBSPECIES FOR COVERAGE SUBCATEGORY FROM
COVERAGE OR SUBJECTS THE SUBCATEGORY TO LIMITATIONS OR
CONDITIONS NOT IMPOSED ON OTHER SUBCATEGORIES.

(4) "PANEL" MEANS AN EXPERT REVIEW PANEL.

(5) "COMMITTEE" MEANS THE INTERDEPARTMENTAL
COMMITTEE ON MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS.

(B) (1) THERE IS AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE ON
MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS ASSIGNED TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE.

(2) THE COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF:

(I) THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE
OR THE SECRETARY'S DESIGNEE;

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