Ch. 287                                    2004 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(i) elect to be covered;

(ii) agree to pay the premiums;

(iii) agree to offer coverage to any dependent of an eligible employee
when coverage is sought by the eligible employee, in accordance with provisions
governing late enrollees and any other provisions of this subtitle that apply to
coverage;

(iv) agree to collect payments for premiums through payroll
deductions for coverage of eligible employees and dependents and transmit those
payments to the carrier; and

(v) satisfy other reasonable provisions of the health benefit plan as
approved by the Commissioner.

[(d)] (F) (1) In determining whether a small employer satisfies the
requirements of this section, a carrier shall apply its requirements uniformly among
all small employers with the same number of eligible employees who apply for or
receive coverage from the carrier, including a requirement that a minimum
percentage of eligible employees of the small employer participate in the health
benefit plan.

(2) A carrier may vary application of minimum participation of eligible
employees only by the size of the group of the small employer.

[(e)] (G) A carrier may not require a small employer to contribute to payment
of premiums for a health benefit plan.

15-1213.

(a)     This section does not apply to any insurance enumerated in §
15-1201(f)(3)(i) through (xiii) of this subtitle.

(b)     Each benefit offered in addition to the Standard Plan that increases access
to care choices or lowers the cost-sharing arrangement in the Standard Plan is
subject to all of the provisions of this subtitle applicable to the Standard Plan,
including:

(1)     guaranteed issuance;

(2)     guaranteed renewal;

(3)     adjusted community rating; and

(4)     the prohibition on preexisting condition limitations.

(c)      (1) Each benefit offered in addition to the Standard Plan that increases
the type of services available or the frequency of services is not subject to guaranteed
issuance but is subject to all other provisions of this subtitle applicable to the
Standard Plan, including:

(i) guaranteed renewal;

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