742

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 21

Defined term: "Department" § 1-101
15-103.. SAME -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

(A)   IN GENERAL.

(1)  THE SECRETARY SHALL ADMINISTER THE MARYLAND
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

(2)  THE PROGRAM:

(I)   SHALL PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL
AND OTHER HEALTH CARE FOR INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS OR MEDICALLY
INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS OR BOTH; AND

(II)  MAY INCLUDE BEDSIDE NURSING CARE FOR
ELIGIBLE PROGRAM RECIPIENTS.

(B)  CONTRACTS FOR CARE.

(1)  (I) IN THIS SUBSECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS
HAVE THE MEANINGS INDICATED.

(II)   "CERTIFIED NURSE PRACTITIONER" MEANS
A REGISTERED NURSE WHO IS LICENSED IN THIS STATE, HAS
COMPLETED A NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAM APPROVED BY THE STATE
BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF NURSES, AND HAS PASSED AN EXAMINATION
APPROVED BY THAT BOARD.

(III)   "NURSE MIDWIFE" MEANS A REGISTERED
NURSE WHO IS LICENSED IN THIS STATE AND HAS BEEN CERTIFIED
BY THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NURSE-MIDWIVES AS A NURSE
MIDWIFE.

(IV)   "OPTOMETRIST" HAS THE MEANING STATED
IN § 10-101 OF THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE.

(2)  THE SECRETARY MAY CONTRACT FOR THE PROVISION
OF CARE UNDER THE PROGRAM TO ELIGIBLE PROGRAM RECIPIENTS.

(3)  THE SECRETARY MAY CONTRACT WITH INSURANCE
COMPANIES OR NONPROFIT HEALTH SERVICE PLANS OR WITH
INDIVIDUALS, ASSOCIATIONS, PARTNERSHIPS, INCORPORATED OR
UNINCORPORATED GROUPS OF PHYSICIANS, CHIROPRACTORS,
DENTISTS, PODIATRISTS, OPTOMETRISTS, PHARMACISTS, HOSPITALS,
NURSING HOMES, NURSES, INCLUDING NURSE MIDWIVES AND
CERTIFIED NURSE PRACTITIONERS, OPTICIANS, AND OTHER HEALTH
PRACTITIONERS WHO ARE LICENSED OR CERTIFIED IN THIS STATE
AND PERFORM SERVICES ON THE PRESCRIPTION OR REFERRAL OF A
PHYSICIAN.

(4)  FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE NURSE
MIDWIFE NEED NOT BE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PHYSICIAN.