H.B. 411

VETOES

provides for reimbursement for a service that is within the lawful scope of
practice of a licensed podiatrist, the insured or any other person covered by or
entitled to reimbursement under the health insurance policy or contract is
entitled to the same amount of reimbursement for the service regardless of
whether the service is performed by a physician or a licensed podiatrist;
requiring the Maryland Insurance Administration to report to the Governor and
General Assembly on certain effects of this Act by a certain date; providing for
the application of this Act; and generally relating to reimbursement for services
provided by podiatrists under health insurance policies and contracts.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Insurance
Section 15-713
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2002 Replacement Volume and 2003 Supplement)

BY adding to

Article - Health - General

Section 19-706(zz)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(2000 Replacement Volume and 2003 Supplement)

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

Article - Insurance

15-713.

(A)     THIS SECTION APPLIES TO INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, OR BLANKET HEALTH
INSURANCE POLICIES AND CONTRACTS DELIVERED OR ISSUED FOR DELIVERY IN
THE STATE BY INSURERS, NONPROFIT HEALTH SERVICE PLANS, AND HEALTH
MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS.

(B)     Notwithstanding any other provision of an individual, group, or blanket
health insurance policy OR CONTRACT SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION, if the policy OR
CONTRACT provides for reimbursement for a service that is within the lawful scope of
practice of a licensed podiatrist, the insured or any other person covered by OR
ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT UNDER the policy OR CONTRACT is entitled to THE
SAME AMOUNT OF reimbursement for the service regardless of whether the service is
performed by a physician or licensed podiatrist.

(C)     THIS SECTION DOES NOT PROHIBIT, AND MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED AS
PROHIBITING, THE DETERMINATION OF REIMBURSEMENT BASED ON THE
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF THE DELIVERY OF SERVICE, THE PREEMINENT
QUALIFICATIONS OF A PHYSICIAN OR PODIATRIST, OR THE NEED TO PROVIDE
SERVICES IN AN UNDERSERVED AREA OF THE STATE.

Article - Health - General

- 3042 -