ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR, Governor

H.B. 2

(I)       OBSTETRICIANS;

(II)     NEUROSURGEONS;

(III)    ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS; AND

(IV)    EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIANS.

(2) (I) PORTIONS OF THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ACCOUNT
THAT EXCEED THE AMOUNT PROVIDED FOR UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS
SUBSECTION SHALL BE USED ONLY TO INCREASE PAYMENTS TO PHYSICIANS AND
CAPITATION PAYMENTS TO MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS.

(II) 1. DISBURSEMENTS FROM THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM ACCOUNT SHALL BE MADE TO INCREASE FEE-FOR-SERVICE HEALTH
CARE PROVIDER RATES AND RATES PAID TO MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS FOR
SERVICES IDENTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH MANAGED
CARE ORGANIZATIONS, MARYLAND HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, MED CHI, AMERICAN
ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, MARYLAND CHAPTER AND THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF
EMERGENCY ROOM PHYSICIANS, MARYLAND CHAPTER

2. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBMIT ITS PLAN FOR
MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATE INCREASES TO THE SENATE BUDGET AND
TAXATION, SENATE FINANCE, HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS, AND HOUSE HEALTH AND
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEES PRIOR TO ADOPTING REGULATIONS
IMPLEMENTING THE INCREASE.

(R) ALL RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS OF THE FUND SHALL BE AUDITED
YEARLY BY THE OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AUDITS AND A REPORT OF THE AUDIT
SHALL BE INCLUDED IN AND BECOME PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT REQUIRED
UNDER SUBSECTION (T) OF THIS SECTION.

(S) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS THAT SPECIFY THE
INFORMATION THAT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURER SHALL SUBMIT
TO RECEIVE A DISBURSEMENT FROM THE RATE STABILIZATION ACCOUNT.

(T) ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1 OF EACH YEAR, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL
REPORT TO THE LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2-1246
OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, ON:

(1)      THE AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THE FUND, THE RATE STABILIZATION
ACCOUNT, AND THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ACCOUNT ON THE LAST DAY
OF THE PREVIOUS CALENDAR YEAR;

(2)      THE AMOUNT OF MONEY APPLIED FOR BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
LIABILITY INSURERS DURING THE PREVIOUS CALENDAR YEAR;

(3)      THE AMOUNT OF MONEY DISBURSED TO MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
LIABILITY INSURERS DURING THE PREVIOUS CALENDAR YEAR;

(4)      THE COSTS INCURRED IN ADMINISTERING THE FUND DURING THE
PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR; AND

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