Ch. 35

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

14-411. INVESTIGATIONS AND EXAMINATIONS.

(A) AUTHORITY OF COMMISSIONER.

THE COMMISSIONER MAY INVESTIGATE THE BUSINESS AND EXAMINE THE
BOOKS, ACCOUNTS, RECORDS, AND FILES OF EACH DENTAL PLAN ORGANIZATION
AND TO DO SO SHALL HAVE REASONABLY FREE ACCESS TO THOSE MATERIALS AND
TO THE OFFICES AND PLACES OF BUSINESS OF THE DENTAL PLAN ORGANIZATION.

(B) PRESERVATION OF RECORDS.

(1) A DENTAL PLAN ORGANIZATION SHALL PRESERVE ITS BOOKS,
ACCOUNTS, AND RECORDS FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS.

(2) PRESERVATION BY PHOTOGRAPHIC REPRODUCTION SHALL
CONSTITUTE COMPLIANCE WITH THIS SUBTITLE.

(C) AUTHORITY OF OTHERS TO INVESTIGATE AND EXAMINE.

AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COMMISSIONER, THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND MENTAL HYGIENE AND STATE BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS MAY
PARTICIPATE IN INVESTIGATIONS AND EXAMINATIONS DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION
TO VERIFY THE SOLVENCY OF A DENTAL PLAN ORGANIZATION.

(D) EXPENSES.

IN AN EXAMINATION UNDER THIS SECTION, THE PERSON EXAMINED SHALL
PAY THE EXPENSE INCURRED BY THE COMMISSIONER, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
MENTAL HYGIENE, AND STATE BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS IN ACCORDANCE
WITH § 2-208 OF THIS ARTICLE.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived without substantive
change from former Art. 48A, § 588.

In subsection (a) of this section, the former reference to "papers" is deleted as
unnecessary in light of the reference to "records".

In subsection (b)(2) of this section, the former reference to preservation of
"records in photographic form" is deleted as included in the comprehensive
reference to "preservation by photographic reproduction".

In subsection (c) of this section, the reference to the "solvency of a dental plan
organization" is substituted for the former reference to the "existence of a
solvent dental plan" for clarity and accuracy.

Defined terms: "Commissioner" § 1-101
"Dental plan organization" § 14-4-01
"Person" § 1-101

14-412. COMPLAINT SYSTEM.
(A) REQUIRED.

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