PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor Ch. 698

CHAPTER 698
(House Bill 1216)

AN ACT concerning

Health Insurance - Assignment, Transfer, or Subcontracting of Health Care

Providers' Contracts

FOR the purpose of clarifying that a carrier may not impair the contract or
employment of a health care provider with the carrier on the basis that the
health care provider refused to participate in a contract to provide care for an
insurer that offers personal injury protection; and generally 'relating to health
care provider contracts with carriers.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Insurance
Section 15-125
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 - Insurance

15-125.

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) (i) "Carrier" means:

1. an insurer;

2. a nonprofit health service plan;

3. a health maintenance organization;

4. a dental plan organization; or

5. any other person that provides health benefit plans
subject to regulation by the State.

(ii) "Carrier" includes an entity that arranges a provider panel for a

carrier.

(3) "Contract" means the implied or express agreement between a health
care provider and carrier, including the rights, obligations, and fee schedule for the
provision of health care services.

(4) "Health care provider" means an individual who is licensed, certified,
or otherwise authorized under the Health' Occupations Article to provide health care
services.