PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor Ch. 420

(2) "Health benefit plan" includes a policy or certificate for hospital or
medical benefits THAT COVERS RESIDENTS OF THIS STATE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE
EMPLOYEES AND that is issued through:

(I) a multiple employer trust or association located in this State or
another state [and that covers residents of this State who are eligible employees]; OR

(II) A PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYER ORGANIZATION, COEMPLOYER,
OR OTHER ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN THIS STATE OR ANOTHER STATE THAT
ENGAGES IN EMPLOYEE LEASING.

(3) "Health benefit plan" does not include:

(i) accident-only insurance;

(ii) fixed indemnity insurance;

(iii) credit health insurance;

(iv) Medicare supplement policies;

(v) Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services
(CHAMPUS) supplement policies;

(vi) long-term care insurance;

(vii) disability income insurance;

(viii) coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance;

(ix) workers' compensation or similar insurance;

(x) disease-specific insurance;

(xi) automobile medical payment insurance;

(xii) dental insurance; or

(xiii) vision insurance.
(m) "Small employer" means:

(1) an employer described in § 15-1203 of this subtitle; OR

(2) AN ENTITY THAT LEASES EMPLOYEES FROM A PROFESSIONAL
EMPLOYER ORGANIZATION, COEMPLOYER. OR OTHER ORGANIZATION ENGAGED
IN EMPLOYEE LEASING AND THAT OTHERWISE MEETS THE DESCRIPTION OF §
15-1203 OF THIS SUBTITLE.

15-1212.

(a) (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.

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