Ch. 35

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

TO SELL HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS TO SMALL EMPLOYERS IN THE STATE, A
CARRIER SHALL FILE ITS PROPOSED HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS WITH THE
COMMISSIONER ON OR BEFORE THE DATE DESIGNATED BY THE COMMISSIONER.

(B) DEEMED APPROVAL.

UNLESS THE COMMISSIONER PREVIOUSLY HAS DISAPPROVED A HEALTH
BENEFIT PLAN, IT IS DEEMED APPROVED 60 DAYS AFTER FILING WITH THE
COMMISSIONER.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived without substantive
change from former Art. 48A, § 704(e).

In subsection (a) of this section, the former reference to "small employer"
health benefit plans is deleted as unnecessary in light of the scope of this
subtitle under § 15-1202 of this subtitle.

Defined terms: "Carrier" § 15-1201
"Commissioner" § 1-101
"Health benefit plan" § 15-1201
"Small employer" § 15-1201

15-1212. RENEWAL OF HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS.

(A) OPTION OF SMALL EMPLOYER.

(1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTIONS (B) AND (C) OF THIS
SECTION, A CARRIER SHALL RENEW A HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN AT THE OPTION OF
THE SMALL EMPLOYER.

(2) ON RENEWAL, A CARRIER MAY NOT EXCLUDE ELIGIBLE
EMPLOYEES OR DEPENDENTS FROM A HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN.

(B) CANCELLATION OR REFUSAL TO RENEW.

A CARRIER MAY CANCEL OR REFUSE TO RENEW A HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN

ONLY:

(1) FOR NONPAYMENT OF PREMIUMS;

(2) FOR FRAUD OR MISREPRESENTATION OF THE SMALL EMPLOYER OR
COVERED INDIVIDUALS OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES;

(3) FOR NONCOMPLIANCE WITH REASONABLE PROVISIONS OF THE
HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN AS APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER;

(4) FOR REPEATED MISUSE, AS DEFINED BY THE COMMISSIONER, OF A
PROVIDER NETWORK PROVISION;

(5) WHEN THE CARRIER ELECTS NOT TO RENEW:

(I) ALL OF ITS HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS THAT ARE ISSUED TO
SMALL EMPLOYERS IN THE STATE; OR

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