Ch. 269                                        1994 LAWS OF MARYLAND

SECTION 2. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1994.

Approved May 2, 1994.

CHAPTER 269
(House Bill 439)

AN ACT concerning

Health Maintenance Organizations - 24-Hour Emergency Telephone Hotline-Access

FOR the purpose of requiring a health 'maintenance organization to have a provide
24-hour emergency telephone hotline for its members that is staffed at all times by
an employee of the health maintenance organization for a certain purpose. access by
telephone to a person who is able to appropriately respond to calls from members and
providers concerning after-hours care; providing that this Act may not be interpreted to
require preauthorization for certain services; and providing for a delayed effective date.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Health - General
Section 19-705.1(b)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1990 Replacement Volume and 1993 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Health - General

19-705.1.

(b) The standards of quality of care shall include:

(1)      A requirement that a health maintenance organization shall provide for
regular hours during which a member may. receive services, including providing for
services to a member in a timely manner that takes into account the immediacy of need
for services;

(2)      (i) A requirement that a health maintenance organization shall have a
system for providing a member with 24-hour access to a physician in cases where there is
an immediate need for medical services, INCLUDING A 24-HOUR EMERGENCY
TELEPHONE HOTLINE THAT IS STAFFED AT ALL TIMES BY AN EMPLOYEE OF THE
HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION TO RECEIVE CALLS FROM MEMBERS
CONCERNING MEDICAL EMERGENCIES INCLUDING PROVIDING 24-HOUR ACCESS BY
TELEPHONE TO A PERSON WHO IS ABLE TO APPROPRIATELY RESPOND TO CALLS FROM
MEMBERS AND PROVIDERS CONCERNING AFTER-HOURS CARE;

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