Ch. 9                                             1993 LAWS OF MARYLAND .

(2) UNLESS PERMISSION IS GRANTED SPECIFICALLY BY THE
COMMISSION, A THIRD PARTY HIRED BY THE COMMISSION MAY NOT RELEASE,
PUBLISH, OR OTHERWISE USE ANY INFORMATION TO WHICH THE THIRD PARTY HAS
ACCESS UNDER ITS CONTRACT.

19-1511. 19-1512.

(A)     THE POWER OF THE SECRETARY OVER PLANS, PROPOSALS, AND
PROJECTS OF UNITS IN THE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE POWER TO
DISAPPROVE OR MODIFY ANY DECISION OR DETERMINATION THAT THE
COMMISSION MAKES UNDER AUTHORITY SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED BY LAW TO THE
COMMISSION.

(B)     THE POWER OF THE SECRETARY TO TRANSFER BY RULE, REGULATION,
OR WRITTEN DIRECTIVE, ANY STAFF, FUNCTIONS, OR FUNDS OF UNITS IN THE
DEPARTMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO ANY STAFF, FUNCTION, OR FUNDS OF THE
COMMISSION.

19 1512. 19-1513.

IN ANY MATTER THAT RELATES TO THE UTILIZATION OR COST OF HEALTH
CARE SERVICES RENDERED BY PHYSICIANS, PHARMACISTS. HEALTH CARE
PRACTITIONERS OR OFFICE FACILITIES, THE COMMISSION MAY:

(1)      HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING;

(2)      CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION; OR

(3) REQUIRE THE FILING OF ANY REASONABLE INFORMATION.

19 1513. 19-1514.

IF THE COMMISSION CONSIDERS A FURTHER INVESTIGATION NECESSARY OR
DESIRABLE TO AUTHENTICATE INFORMATION IN A REPORT THAT A PHYSICIAN,
PHARMACIST; HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER OR OFFICE FACILITY FILES UNDER THIS
SUBTITLE, THE COMMISSION MAY MAKE NECESSARY FURTHER EXAMINATION OF
THE RECORDS OR ACCOUNTS OF THE PHYSICIAN, PHARMACIST, HEALTH CARE
PRACTITIONER OR OFFICE FACILITY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS OF
THE COMMISSION.

19-1514. 19-1515.

(A) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL ASSESS A FEE ON:

(I)      ALL PAYORS; AND

(II)     EXCEPT FOR PHARMACISTS, ALL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
PRACTITIONERS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT DATA TO THE COMMISSION; AND

(III)    AS PERMITTED BY LAW, SELF-INSURED GROUPS.

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