Ch. 341                                    1995 LAWS OF MARYLAND

4.       There are significant increases in the cost of providing health
care services; or

5.       Costs in a particular health care specialty vary significantly
from the health care cost annual adjustment goal established under subsection (f) of this
section.

(ii) If the Commission determines that voluntary and cooperative
efforts between the Commission and appropriate health care practitioners have been
unsuccessful in bringing the appropriate health care practitioners into compliance with
the health care cost goals of the Commission, the Commission may adjust the conversion
modifier.

(2) If the Commission adjusts the conversion modifier under this subsection
for a particular specialty group, a health care practitioner in that specialty group may not
be reimbursed more than an amount equal to the amount determined according to the
factors set forth in subsection (b)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section and the conversion modifier
established by the Commission.

(e)     (1) On an annual basis, the Commission shall publish:

(i) The total reimbursement for all health care services over a
12-month period;

(ii) The total reimbursement for each health care specialty over a
12-month period;

(iii) The total reimbursement for each code over a 12-month period;
and

(iv) The annual rate of change in reimbursement for health services by
health care specialties and by code.

(2) In addition to the information required under paragraph (1) of this
subsection, the Commission may publish any other information that the Commission
deems appropriate.

(f)     The Commission may establish health care cost annual adjustment goals for
the cost of health care services and may establish the total cost of health care services by
code to be rendered by a specialty group of health care practitioners designated by the
Commission during a 12-month period.

(g)     In developing a health care cost annual adjustment goal under subsection (f)
of this section, the Commission shall:

(1)     Consult with appropriate health care practitioners, payors, the Maryland
Hospital Association, the Health Services Cost Review Commission, the Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Department of Economic and Employment
Development; and

(2)     Take into consideration:

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