§ 15–709
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Ins. § 15-709 (2026)
Title 15. Health Insurance
Subtitle 7. Required Reimbursement for Services of Health Care Providers
§ 15–709LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this section, “nurse midwife” means a licensed registered nurse who is certified as a nurse midwife by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.
(b)
Each insurer that proposes to issue, renew, amend, or reissue an individual, group, or blanket health insurance policy in the State that is written on an expense-incurred basis shall offer the option of providing benefits for expenses that arise from services rendered by a nurse midwife.
(c)
Each nonprofit health service plan that proposes to issue, renew, amend, or reissue a health insurance policy in the State shall offer the option of providing benefits for expenses that arise from services rendered by a nurse midwife.
(d)
(1)
This subsection applies to each individual, group, or blanket health insurance policy, contract, or certificate of an insurer or nonprofit health service plan that:
(i)
(1)
is issued or delivered in the State;
(2)
is issued to a group that is incorporated or has a main office in the State; or
(3)
covers individuals who reside or work in the State;
(ii)
is issued, renewed, amended, or reissued on or after July 1, 1979; and
(iii)
if issued by an insurer, is written on an expense-incurred basis.
(2)
Notwithstanding any other provision of a policy, contract, or certificate subject to this subsection, if the policy, contract, or certificate provides for reimbursement for a service that is within the lawful scope of practice of a nurse midwife, the insured or any other person covered by the policy, contract, or certificate is entitled to reimbursement for the service regardless of whether the service is performed by a physician or nurse midwife.
(e)
A policy that provides benefits under this section for services rendered by a nurse midwife may not require, as a condition for the payment of benefits, that the nurse midwife be employed by a physician or act under a physician’s orders.
(f)
The utilization of health insurance benefits provided under this section for services rendered by a nurse midwife is subject to review by a peer review committee appointed by the State Board of Nursing.