§ 19–702
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. § 19-702 (2026)
Title 19. Health Care Facilities
Subtitle 7. Health Maintenance Organizations
§ 19–702LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In adopting this subtitle, the General Assembly intends to:
(1)
Provide alternative methods for the delivery of health care services to residents of this State, with a view toward achieving greater efficiency and economy in providing these services;
(2)
Encourage the formation of health maintenance organizations that provide health care services to subscribers or groups of subscribers who contract for these services under a system of prepayments; and
(3)
Encourage the formation of health maintenance organizations by such diverse groups as:
(i)
Nonprofit health service plans;
(ii)
Medical health service plans;
(iii)
Medical care foundations;
(iv)
Groups of professionals, either in the form of partnerships or professional corporations;
(v)
Consumer sponsored organizations; or
(vi)
Business or legal entities.
(b)
To carry out the intent of subsection (a) of this section, the policy of this State is to:
(1)
Provide one overall State law that:
(i)
Regulates health maintenance organizations;
(ii)
Allows flexibility for the many forms these health maintenance organizations may take; and
(iii)
Facilitates public understanding and uniform administration of the rules and regulations that are adopted under this subtitle;
(2)
Eliminate legal barriers to the organization, promotion, and expansion of health maintenance organizations;
(3)
Provide for regulation of:
(i)
The quality of health care, by the Department and by professional standards review organizations where appropriate; and
(ii)
All other matters covered under this subtitle, by the Commissioner; and
(4)
Exempt health maintenance organizations from the insurance laws of this State, except as set forth in this subtitle.