1140                                        LAWS OF MARYLAND                                  Ch. 432

LESS THAN 30 DAYS OR PARTIAL DAYS OF IN-PATIENT CARE IN

ANY PERIOD OF 12 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS. FOR PURPOSES OF

THIS SECTION. TWO OUT-PATIENT VISITS SHALL BE CONSIDERED
AS EQUIVALENT TO ONE DAY'S CARE.

(C)         FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, ANY PROPOSED
CHANGE IN BENEFITS PROVIDED BY AN EXISTING GROUP HOSPITAL

OR GROUP MAJOR MEDICAL POLICY SHALL BE CONSIDERED A

PROPOSAL TO ISSUE A POLICY UNDER SUBSECTION (A).

(D)         THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY

ONLY IF AN INITIAL ENROLLMENT OF AT LEAST 25 CERTIFICATE

HOLDERS UNDER THE NEW OR EXPANDED GROUP POLICY CAN

REASONABLY BE EXPECTED.

477H.

(A)    AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT, EVERY

INSURER WHICH PROPOSES TO ISSUE A GROUP HOSPITAL POLICY

OR A GROUP MAJOR MEDICAL POLICY IN MARYLAND SHALL OFFER

THE PROSPECTIVE GROUP POLICYHOLDER AT AN APPROPRIATE

ADDITIONAL PREMIUM THE OPTION OF PROVIDING BENEFITS FOR

EXPENSES ARISING FROM ANY ALCOHOLIC REHABILITATION
TREATMENT PROGRAM LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
AND MENTAL HYGIENE. DIVISION OF LICENSING AND ENFORCEMENT

OR APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL

HYGIENE. DIVISION OF ALCOHOLISM CONTROL.

(B)    BENEFITS SHALL PROVIDE THE MINIMUM

REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND

MENTAL HYGIENE. DIVISION OF ALCOHOLISM CONTROL FOR NOT

LESS THAN 30 DAYS OR PARTIAL DAYS OF IN-PATIENT CARE IN

ANY PERIOD OF 12 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS. FOR PURPOSES OF

THIS SECTION. TWO OUT-PATIENT VISITS SHALL BE CONSIDERED

AS EQUIVALENT TO ONE DAY'S CARE.

(C)          FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, ANY PROPOSED
CHANGE IN BENEFITS PROVIDED BY AN EXISTING GROUP HOSPITAL

OR GROUP MAJOR MEDICAL POLICY SHALL BE CONSIDERED A

PROPOSAL TO ISSUE A POLICY UNDER SUBSECTION (A).

(D) THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY

ONLY IF AN INITIAL ENROLLMENT OF AT LEAST 25 CERTIFICATE

HOLDERS UNDER __THE NEW OR EXPANDED GROUP POLICY CAN

REASONABLY BE EXPECTED.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1976.

Approved May 4, 1976.

CHAPTER 433
(House Bill 794)