PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 35

(2) A CARRIER MAY VARY APPLICATION OF MINIMUM PARTICIPATION
OF ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES ONLY BY THE SIZE OF THE GROUP OF THE SMALL
EMPLOYER.

(E) REQUIRED CONTRIBUTIONS TO PREMIUM PAYMENTS PROHIBITED.

A CARRIER MAY NOT REQUIRE A SMALL EMPLOYER TO CONTRIBUTE TO
PAYMENT OF PREMIUMS FOR A HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived without substantive
change from former Art. 48A, § 704(a)(1) through (5) and (6)(iv).

In subsection (a) of this section, the defined term "insurance" is substituted
for the former reference to "supplemental insurance policies" because some
of the types of insurance enumerated in § 15-1201(f)(3)(i) through (xiii) of
this subtitle might not be considered "supplemental" insurance.

In subsection (c)(2)(ii) of this section, the former reference to "required"
premium payments is deleted as implicit since premiums are required to be
paid under a contract for health benefits.

In subsection (c)(2)(iii) of this section, the reference to "provisions governing
late enrollees and any other provisions of this subtitle that apply to coverage"
is substituted for the former reference to "any late enrollee or other provisions
of this subtitle" for clarity.

Subsection (d)(1) of this section is revised to clarify that the only requirements
a carrier may impose on a small employer are the requirements in this section.
This revision is consistent with subsection (b) of this section, which guarantees
issuance of a health benefit plan to small employers who meet those
requirements.

In subsection (e) of this section, the prohibition against requiring "a small
employer to contribute to payment of premiums for a health benefit plan" is
substituted for the former prohibition against "minimum employer
contributions" to clarify the limitation placed on carriers with respect to
employer contributions.

Defined terms: "Carrier" § 15-1201
"Commissioner" § 1-101
"Eligible employee" § 15-1201
"Health benefit plan" § 15-1201
"Insurance" § 1-101
"Late enrollee" § 15-1201
"Premium" § 1-101
"Small employer" § 15-1201

15-1210. OFFERING OF COVERAGE BY CARRIERS.
(A) IN GENERAL.

- 1151 -