1524                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND                                     Ch. 109

(e)  If a change in any rate or charge increase becomes
effective because a final determination is delayed because of an
appeal or otherwise, the Commission may order the facility:

(1)  To keep a detailed and accurate account of:

(i) Funds received because of the change; and

(ii) The persons from whom these funds were
collected; and

(2)  As to any funds received because of a change that
later is held excessive or unreasonable:

(i) To refund the funds with interest; or

(ii) If a refund of the funds is impracticable,
to charge over and amortize the funds through a temporary
decrease in charges or rates.

(f)  A decision by the Commission on any contested change
under this section shall comply with the Administrative Procedure
Act and shall be only prospective in effect.

(G) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL PROVIDE INCENTIVES FOR MERGER,
CONSOLIDATION, AND CONVERSION AND FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
INSTITUTION SPECIFIC PLAN DEVELOPED BY THE HEALTH RESOURCES
PLANNING COMMISSION. THE STATE HEALTH SERVICES COST REVIEW
COMMISSION SHALL PROVIDE INCENTIVES FOR MERGER, CONSOLIDATION,
AND CONVERSION AND FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INSTITUTION
SPECIFIC PLAN DEVELOPED BY THE HEALTH RESOURCES PLANNING
COMMISSION.

(C)(1) (2) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OF THE PROVISIONS IN THIS
SECTION, ON NOTIFICATION OF A MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION BY 2 OR
MORE HOSPITALS, THE COMMISSION SHALL REVIEW THE RATES OF THOSE
HOSPITALS THAT ARE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE MERGER OR
CONSOLIDATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RATE REVIEW AND APPROVAL
PROCEDURES PROVIDED IN § 19-217 OF THIS SUBTITLE AND THE
REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSION.

(2) (3) THE COMMISSION MAY PROVIDE, AS APPROPRIATE,
FOR TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENT OF THE RATES OF THOSE HOSPITALS THAT ARE
DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION, CLOSURE, OR
DELICENSURE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT FUNDS FOR AN ORDERLY
TRANSITION INTO A SINGLE FACILITY. THESE FUNDS MAY INCLUDE AN
ALLOWANCE FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE OR WOULD BE DISPLACED BY
THE MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION.:

(I) ALLOWANCES FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE OR
WOULD BE DISPLACED; OR

(II) ALLOWANCES FOR RETRAINING OF EMPLOYEES; OR