WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

(b) (C) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of
this section or any other provision of this article, a group or
blanket health insurance policy may not contain nonduplication
provisions or provisions to coordinate coverage with any
individually underwritten and issued, guaranteed renewable,
specified disease policy, as defined in § 468H of this article,

OR ANY INDIVIDUALLY UNDERWRITTEN AND ISSUED, GUARANTEED

RENEWABLE, LIMITED BENEFIT HOSPITAL INDEMNITY POLICY OR INTENSIVE
CARE POLICY, which [does] DO not provide benefits on an
expense-incurred basis.

490K.

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

(2) "AUTHORIZED PRESCRIBER" MEANS ANY LICENSED
DENTIST, LICENSED PHYSICIAN, OR LICENSED PODIATRIST AUTHORIZED
UNDER THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE TO PRESCRIBE A
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT.----------------------------------------------

(3) "PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT" MEANS A DRUG OR A
MEDICINE THAT MAY BE PRESCRIBED BY AN AUTHORIZED PRESCRIBER.------

(B) A CONTRACT OR POLICY ISSUED OR DELIVERED IN THIS STATE
TO AN EMPLOYER OR INDIVIDUAL BY AN INSURER OR NONPROFIT HEALTH
SERVICE PLAN THAT PROVIDES GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL HOSPITAL, MEDICAL,
OR SURGICAL BENEFITS AND THAT PROVIDES REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT PRESCRIBED BY AN AUTHORIZED PRESCRIBER MAY
NOT ESTABLISH THE AMOUNT OF REIMBURSEMENT TO THE INSURED OR THE
INSURED'S BENEFICIARY, INCLUDING COPAYMENTS AND DEDUCTIBLES, ON
THE BASIS OF THE IDENTITY, THE PRACTICING SPECIALTY, OR THE
OCCUPATION OF THE AUTHORIZED PRESCRIBER.---------------------------

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1989.

May 25, 1989

The Honorable R. Clayton Mitchell, Jr.
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Dear Mr. Speaker:

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