3486

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 831

Section 568W (a) (2)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1971 Replacement Volume and 1974 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That Section 568W (a) (2) of Article 43 -
Health, of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1971
Replacement Volume and 1974 Supplement) be and it is
hereby repealed and re—enacted, with amendments, to read
as follows:

Article 43 - Health

568W.

(a) From and after July 1, 1974, no hospital
subject to the provisions of this subtitle shall change
or amend that schedule of rates and charges of the type
and class which cannot be changed without prior approval
of the Commission, except in accordance with the
following procedure:

(2) (I) In any case where such action is deemed
necessary, the Commission shall promptly institute
proceedings as to the reasonableness of the proposal.
The suspension may extend for a period of not more than
30 days beyond the date the change would otherwise go
into effect; provided, however, that should it be
necessary, the Commission may extend the suspension for
an additional 30 days. After the expiration of 90 days
the new rate will go into effect, if the Commission does
not approve, disapprove or modify the request by that
time.

(II)   IN THE EVENT THE COMMISSION MODIFIES THE
REQUEST OF A HOSPITAL FOR A CHANGE IN ITS RATES SO THAT
THE HOSPITAL OBTAINS ONLY A PARTIAL INCREASE IN ITS RATE
SCHEDULE, THE HOSPITAL SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT THE
BENEFITS OF THE PARTIAL INCREASE IN RATES AND CHARGE ITS
PATIENTS ACCORDINGLY WITHOUT IN ANY WAY ADVERSELY
AFFECTING OR WAIVING ITS RIGHT TO APPEAL THAT PORTION OF
THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE COMMISSION WHICH DENIED THE
REMAINDER OF THE REQUESTED RATE INCREASE.

(III)  WHEN ANY CHANGE AFFECTING AN INCREASE IN
BATES GOES INTO EFFECT BEFORE A FINAL ORDER IS ENTERED IN
THE PROCEEDINGS DUE TO AN APPEAL OR OTHER DELAY, WHERE IT
DEEMS IT NECESSARY AND PRACTICABLE, THE COMMISSION MAY
ORDER THE HOSPITAL TO KEEP A DETAILED AND ACCURATE
ACCOUNT OF ALL AMOUNTS RECEIVED BY REASON OF THE INCREASE
IN RATES AND THE PERSONS FROM WHOM SUCH AMOUNTS WERE
RECEIVED. AT THE CONCLUSION OF ANY APPEAL OR OTHER