Ch. 35

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

CUSTOMARY, AND REASONABLE CHARGES FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY A
DIETITIAN OR NUTRITIONIST LICENSED UNDER THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS
ARTICLE IF A LICENSED PHYSICIAN DETERMINES THAT THE SERVICES ARE
MEDICALLY NECESSARY FOR THE TREATMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE,
DIABETES, MALNUTRITION, CANCER, CEREBRAL VASCULAR DISEASE, OR KIDNEY
DISEASE.

(2) APPLICATION OF THIS SUBSECTION IS LIMITED TO SIX VISITS WITH A
DIETITIAN OR NUTRITIONIST DURING A 12-MONTH PERIOD FOR EACH CONDITION
DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION AND TO SERVICES FOR THE
TREATMENT OF OBESITY ONLY IF PROVIDED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE
TREATMENT OF A CONDITION DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION.

(B) COVERAGE NOT REQUIRED.

THIS SECTION DOES NOT REQUIRE A POLICY, CONTRACT, OR CERTIFICATE
DESCRIBED IN § 15-701(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR SERVICES
RENDERED BY A NUTRITIONIST OR DIETITIAN.

(C) SERVICES PROVIDED TO HOSPITAL PATIENT

IF A SERVICE COVERED UNDER A POLICY, CONTRACT, OR CERTIFICATE
DESCRIBED IN § 15-701(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE IS PROVIDED TO A HOSPITAL PATIENT
BY A DIETITIAN OR NUTRITIONIST:

(1) THE USUAL, CUSTOMARY, AND REASONABLE CHARGES OF THE
DIETITIAN OR NUTRITIONIST SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE PATIENT'S HOSPITAL
CHARGES; AND

(2) THE DIETITIAN OR NUTRITIONIST MAY NOT BILL THE PATIENT
SEPARATELY FOR THE SERVICE.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived without substantive
change from former Art. 48A, §§ 354Z(e), 470U(e), and 477AA(e).

In subsections (a)(1) and (b) of this section, the references to a policy,
contract, or certificate "described in § 15-701(a) of this subtitle" are added to
clarify the applicability of the provisions.

In subsection (a)(1) and (2) of this section, the former references to
"nutritional" services are deleted as unnecessary in light of the reference in
subsection (a)(1) of this section to services "rendered by a dietitian or
nutritionist licensed under the Health Occupations Article".

In subsection (a)(1) of this section, the reference to charges "for services
rendered by" a dietitian or nutritionist is substituted for the former references
to charges "of a dietitian or nutritionist for clarity.

In subsection (a)(2) of this section, the references to six visits "with a dietitian
or nutritionist" for each condition "described in paragraph (1) of this
subsection" are added for clarity. Similarly, the references to services for "the
treatment of obesity only "if provided" in conjunction with the treatment of a

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