Ch. 35

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

SYSTEM AS AN ADDITIONAL BENEFIT THROUGH ANOTHER CARRIER REGARDLESS
OF WHETHER THE OTHER CARRIER ALSO OFFERS THE STANDARD PLAN.

(F) DENTAL CARE.

A CARRIER MAY OFFER COVERAGE FOR DENTAL CARE AND SERVICES AS AN
ADDITIONAL BENEFIT.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived without substantive
change from former Art. 48A, § 699.

In the introductory language of subsection (a) of this section, the former
reference to a carrier "that offers a health benefit plan in the State" is deleted
as unnecessary in light of the definition of "carrier" as a person that "offers
health benefit plans covering eligible employees of small employers" and in
light of the scope of the subtitle which, under § 15-1202 of this subtitle, is
restricted to a health benefit plan that "covers eligible employees of small
employers in the State".

In subsection (a)(4) of this section, the former references to "enrollees" and
"insureds" are deleted as surplusage.

In subsection (b) of this section, the references to a "person" are substituted
for the former references to a "carrier" in light of the definition of "carrier" as
a person that "offers health benefit plans". The use of the defined term
"carrier" does not make sense in the context of the prohibition in subsection
(b) against offering "a health benefit plan" unless the condition specified in
subsection (b) is satisfied. No substantive change is intended.

Also in subsection (b) of this section, the former reference to the plan
"specified by the Commission under § 700 of this subtitle" is deleted as
unnecessary in light of the defined term "Standard Plan".

In subsection (c) of this section, the former reference to an exception "for a
plan offered in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection" (i.e.
subsection (d) of this section) is deleted as unnecessary since subsection (d) is
not an exception to subsection (c). The latter subsection only deals with
benefits in addition to those in the Standard Plan.

In the introductory language of subsection (d) of this section, the reference to
a "carrier" is added to allow the use of the active voice and to allow a
construction that is parallel to the construction used in subsections (a) and (c)
of this section.

Defined terms: "Carrier" § 15-1201
"Health benefit plan" § 15-1201
"Person" § 1-101
"Policy" § 1-101
"Standard Plan" § 15-1201

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