Ch. 376                                    1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(1990 Replacement Volume and 1995 Supplement)                                             

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

Article 48A - Insurance Code

490FF.

(A)    (1) IN THIS SECTION, "RECONSTRUCTIVE BREAST SURGERY" MEANS
SURGERY PERFORMED, FOLLOWING A MASTECTOMY, ON ONE BREAST OR BOTH
BREASTS TO REESTABLISH SYMMETRY BETWEEN THE TWO BREASTS.

(2) "RECONSTRUCTIVE BREAST SURGERY" INCLUDES AUGMENTATION
MAMMOPLASTY, REDUCTION MAMMOPLASTY, AND MASTOPEXY.

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

(2) "MASTECTOMY" MEANS THE SURGICAL REMOVAL OF ALL OR PART OF A
BREAST AS A RESULT OF BREAST CANCER.

(3) (I) "RECONSTRUCTIVE BREAST SURGERY' MEANS SURGERY
PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF A MASTECTOMY TO REESTABLISH SYMMETRY BETWEEN
THE TWO BREASTS.

(II) "RECONSTRUCTIVE BREAST SURGERY" INCLUDES

AUGMENTATION MAMMOPLASTY REDUCTION MAMMOPLASTY, AND MASTOPEXY.

(B)     AN INSURER OR NONPROFIT HEALTH SERVICE PLAN THAT PROVIDES
HOSPITAL, MEDICAL, OR SURGICAL BENEFITS FOR ISSUANCE OR DELIVERY IN THE
STATE TO ANY GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL ON AN EXPENSE-INCURRED BASIS,
INCLUDING A HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION, SHALL PROVIDE COVERAGE
FOR RECONSTRUCTIVE BREAST SURGERY RESULTING FROM A MASTECTOMY.

(C) THE COVERAGE REQUIRED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION SHALL
INCLUDE COVERAGE FOR ALL STAGES OF RECONSTRUCTIVE BREAST SURGERY
PERFORMED ON A NONDISEASED BREAST TO ESTABLISH SYMMETRY WITH THE
DISEASED BREAST MIEN RECONSTRUCTIVE BREAST SURGERY ON THE DISEASED
BREAST IS PERFORMED.

Article - Health - General

19-706.

(d) (1) The provisions of Article 48A, § 58A of the Code and Article 48A,
Subtitles 9A and 11 shall apply to health maintenance organizations.

(2) THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 48A, § 490FF OF THE CODE SHALL
APPLY TO HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED. That this Act shall apply to all
new policies or health benefit plans issued or delivered in the State on or after the
effective date of this Act and to the renewal of all policies in effect before that date.

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