For the purpose of this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated unless their context clearly indicates otherwise. “Carrier” means:an insurer; a network delivery system; a nonprofit health service plan; a health maintenance organization; a preferred provider organization; a dental plan organization; or any person acting as a third party administrator. “Network delivery system” means a person or entity that provides health care services to covered individuals through a provider panel. “Provider” means a person licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized under the <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gho">Health Occupations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland</cite> to provide health care services in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession. “Provider” includes a health care facility, professional service corporation, partnership, limited liability company, professional office, or any other entity licensed or authorized by law to render professional services for or on behalf of a provider. “Provider panel” means a group of providers who have entered into a provider service contract with a carrier to provide services under the carrier’s health benefit plan. City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §27C(a) Ord. 96-004 Ord. 22-125

Any person who submits to the City a bid or who contracts with the City to be a health care carrier or to provide health care services to Baltimore City employees or persons receiving health care through any entity funded by the City must prequalify pursuant to <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="VI">City Charter Article VI</cite>, §11(g), and the rules, regulations, and standards adopted by the Board of Estimates. The criteria for the prequalification of health care carriers shall include, but not be limited to:experience levels; financial history; and ethnic diversity of their respective provider panels. Each health care carrier interested in doing business with, or continuing to do business with the City of Baltimore in this regard shall apply for prequalification and be so prequalified. City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §27C(b) Ord. 96-004 Ord. 16-503

Nothing in this subtitle shall be deemed to abrogate the authority of the Board of Estimates to award contracts pursuant to the authority provided by Article VI, §11 of <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter">the City Charter</cite><em>.</em> City Code, 1976/83, art. 1, §27C(c) Ord. 96-004