performance quality measures for managed behavioral health care
organizations; providing for the membership and responsibilities of the task
force; directing the Health Care Access and Cost Commission to provide a
certain indication under certain circumstances; providing for certain effective
dates for certain provisions of this Act; providing for a delayed effective date for
certain provisions of this Act; providing for the application of this Act; and
generally relating to health insurance carriers that use managed behavioral
health care organizations.

BY adding to

Article - Health - General

Section 19-706(ff)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1996 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

BY adding to

Article - Insurance

Section 15-126

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1997 Volume and 1998 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Health - General

19-706.

(FF) THE PROVISIONS OF § 15-126 OF THE INSURANCE ARTICLE SHALL APPLY
TO HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS.

Article - Insurance

15-126.

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(2) "BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES" MEANS PROCEDURES OR
SERVICES RENDERED BY A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR THE TREATMENT OF
MENTAL ILLNESS, EMOTIONAL DISORDERS, DRUG ABUSE, OR ALCOHOL ABUSE.

(3) "CARRIER" MEANS:

(I) A HEALTH INSURER;

(II) A NONPROFIT HEALTH SERVICE PLAN;

(III) A HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION;

(IV) A PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION;