Ch. 258                                    1994 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(d) Staff for the Advisory Committee shall be provided by the Commission, in
accordance with its budget.

19-1606.

(b) The Commission may adopt a practice parameter if:

(1)     The proposal of the Advisory Committee includes a statement, with
supporting documentation, that at least 60 percent of the specialists in the State affected
by the practice [parameters] PARAMETER has voted favorably on the adoption;

(2)     The proposal of the Advisory Committee includes supporting
information satisfactory to the Commission that the practice parameter [might] WILL
reduce unnecessary utilization of health care services; and

(3)     The proposal of the Advisory Committee includes supporting
information satisfactory to the Commission that the practice parameter will continue to
provide a high quality of health care.

Article 48A - Insurance Code

490R.

(a)     (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2)     "Health benefit plan" has the meaning stated in § 698 of this article.

(3)     "Payor" means:

(i) A health insurer[,] OR nonprofit health service plan[, or health
maintenance organization] that holds a certificate of authority [to offer] AND
PROVIDES health insurance policies or contracts in this State under this article; [or]

(II) A HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION THAT IS LICENSED
TO OPERATE IN THE STATE; OR

[(ii)](III) A third party administrator or any other entity under contract
with a Maryland business to administer health care benefits.

(b)     (1) On or before June 30 of each year, the Commissioner shall assess each
payor a fee for the upcoming fiscal .year established in accordance with the provisions of
this section and [§ 19-1514] § 19-1515 of the Health - General Article.           

(2) For each fiscal year, the total assessment for all payors shall be:

(i). Set by a memorandum from the Maryland Health Care Access and
Cost Commission; and

(ii) Apportioned equitably by the Commissioner between the classes of
payors described under subsection [(a)(1), and (2)] (A)(3) of this section as determined
by the Commissioner.                                                                    ....

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