Ch. 35

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

15-103. SIMPLIFIED LANGUAGE REQUIRED.

(A) IN GENERAL.

AN INSURER OR NONPROFIT HEALTH SERVICE PLAN MAY NOT ISSUE OR
DELIVER IN THE STATE AN INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY, OR GROUP
HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY COVERING A GROUP OF 1,000 LIVES OR LESS, UNLESS
THE POLICY OR CERTIFICATE IS:

(1) WRITTEN IN SIMPLIFIED LANGUAGE; AND

(2) APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER AS COMPLYING WITH THE
SIMPLIFIED LANGUAGE STANDARDS ADOPTED UNDER SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS
SECTION.

(B) APPLICABILITY.

SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION APPLIES:

(1) ON OR AFTER JANUARY 2, 1992; OR

(2) ON OR AFTER JULY 2, 1997, IF THE POLICY OR CERTIFICATE WAS
APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1992.

(C) REGULATIONS.

TO ESTABLISH SIMPLIFIED LANGUAGE STANDARDS FOR INDIVIDUAL AND
GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES AND CERTIFICATES SUBJECT TO THIS
SECTION, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS THAT ARE CONSISTENT
WITH THE LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY LANGUAGE SIMPLIFICATION
MODEL ACT ADOPTED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE
COMMISSIONERS.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived without substantive
change from former Art. 48A, § 438D.

In subsection (b)(1) of this section, the phrase "on or after January 2, 1992" is
substituted for the former phrase "[a]fter January 1, 1992" for clarity and to
conform to similar provisions in this and other revised articles of the Code.
Similarly, in subsection (b)(2) of this section, the phrase "on or after July 2,
1997" is substituted for the former phrase "after July 1, 1997".

In subsection (c) of this section, the reference to policies and certificates
"subject to" this section is substituted for the former reference to policies and
certificates "issued under subsections (a) and (b) of this section for clarity
and accuracy.

Defined terms: "Commissioner" § 1-101
"Health insurance" § 1-101
"Insurer" § 1-101
"Policy" § 1-101

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