In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Carrier” means: an insurer that offers health insurance other than long–term care insurance or disability insurance; a nonprofit health service plan; a health maintenance organization; a dental plan organization; or except for a managed care organization as defined in Title 15, Subtitle 1 of the Health – General Article, any other person that provides health benefit plans subject to State regulation. “Member” means an individual entitled to health care benefits under a policy or plan issued or delivered in the State by a carrier. “Member” includes a subscriber. “Nonphysician specialist” means a health care provider: who is not a physician; who is licensed or certified under the Health Occupations Article; and who is certified or trained to treat or provide health care services for a specified condition or disease in a manner that is within the scope of the license or certification of the health care provider; or that is licensed as a behavioral health program under § 7.5–401 of the Health – General Article. “Provider panel” means the providers that contract with a carrier either directly or through a subcontracting entity to provide health care services to enrollees of the carrier. “Provider panel” does not include an arrangement in which any provider may participate solely by contracting with the carrier to provide health care services at a discounted fee–for–service rate. “Specialist” means a physician who is certified or trained to practice in a specified field of medicine and who is not designated as a primary care provider by the carrier. Each carrier that does not allow direct access to specialists shall establish and implement a procedure by which a member may receive a standing referral to a specialist in accordance with this subsection. The procedure shall provide for a standing referral to a specialist if: the primary care physician of the member determines, in consultation with the specialist, that the member needs continuing care from the specialist; the member has a condition or disease that: is life threatening, degenerative, chronic, or disabling; and requires specialized medical care; and the specialist: has expertise in treating the life–threatening, degenerative, chronic, or disabling disease or condition; and is part of the carrier’s provider panel. Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a standing referral shall be made in accordance with a written treatment plan for a covered service developed by: the primary care physician; the specialist; and the member. A treatment plan may: limit the number of visits to the specialist; limit the period of time in which visits to the specialist are authorized; and require the specialist to communicate regularly with the primary care physician regarding the treatment and health status of the member. The procedure by which a member may receive a standing referral to a specialist may not include a requirement that a member see a provider in addition to the primary care physician before the standing referral is granted. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a member who is pregnant shall receive a standing referral to an obstetrician in accordance with this subsection. After the member who is pregnant receives a standing referral to an obstetrician, the obstetrician is responsible for the primary management of the member’s pregnancy, including the issuance of referrals in accordance with the carrier’s policies and procedures, through the postpartum period. A written treatment plan may not be required when a standing referral is to an obstetrician under this subsection. Each carrier shall establish and implement a procedure by which a member may request a referral to a specialist or nonphysician specialist who is not part of the carrier’s provider panel in accordance with this subsection. The procedure shall provide for a referral to a specialist or nonphysician specialist who is not part of the carrier’s provider panel if: the member is diagnosed with a condition or disease that requires specialized health care services or medical care; and the carrier does not have in its provider panel a specialist or nonphysician specialist with the professional training and expertise to treat or provide health care services for the condition or disease; or the carrier cannot provide reasonable access to a specialist or nonphysician specialist with the professional training and expertise to treat or provide health care services for the condition or disease without unreasonable delay or travel, including within the reasonable appointment waiting time and travel distance standards established in regulation for mental health and substance use disorder services; or the member is seeking mental health or substance use disorder care; and the carrier cannot provide reasonable access to a specialist or nonphysician specialist within the reasonable appointment waiting time and travel distance standards established in regulation for mental health and substance use disorder services. The procedure shall ensure that a request to obtain a referral to a specialist or nonphysician specialist who is not part of the carrier’s provider panel is addressed in a timely manner that is: appropriate for the member’s condition; and in accordance with the timeliness requirements for determinations made by private review agents under § 15–10B–06 of this title. If a member cannot access mental health or substance use disorder services through the referral requirements under paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, the procedure shall require the carrier to provide additional assistance to the member in identifying and arranging coverage of mental health or substance use disorder services by a specialist or nonphysician specialist who is not part of the carrier’s provider panel. If a carrier approves a member’s request for a referral made in accordance with this subsection, the carrier may not require utilization review other than what would be required if the covered benefit were provided by a provider on the carrier’s provider panel. The procedure may not be used by a carrier as a substitute for establishing and maintaining a sufficient provider network in accordance with § 15–112 of this title. Each carrier shall: have a system in place that documents all requests to obtain a referral to receive a covered service from a specialist or nonphysician specialist who is not part of the carrier’s provider panel; inform members of the procedure to request a referral under paragraph (1) of this subsection; and provide the information documented under item (i) of this paragraph to the Commissioner on request. Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, for purposes of calculating any deductible, copayment amount, or coinsurance payable by the member, a carrier shall treat services received in accordance with subsection (d) of this section as if the service was provided by a provider on the carrier’s provider panel. A carrier shall ensure that services received in accordance with subsection (d) of this section for mental health or substance use disorders are provided for the duration of the treatment plan at no greater cost to the covered individual than if the covered benefit were provided by a provider on the carrier’s provider panel. A decision by a carrier not to provide access to or coverage of treatment or health care services by a specialist or nonphysician specialist in accordance with this section constitutes an adverse decision as defined under Subtitle 10A of this title if the decision is based on a finding that the proposed service is not medically necessary, appropriate, or efficient. Each carrier shall file with the Commissioner a copy of each of the procedures required under this section, including: steps the carrier requires of a member to request a referral; the carrier’s timeline for decisions; and the carrier’s grievance procedures for denials. Each carrier shall make a copy of each of the procedures filed under paragraph (1) of this subsection available to its members: in the carrier’s online provider directory required under § 15–112(n)(1) of this title; and on request. The Consumer Education and Advocacy Program, established under Title 2, Subtitle 3 of this article, in collaboration with the Health Education and Advocacy Unit of the Office of the Attorney General, shall provide public education to inform consumers of their procedures to request a referral to a specialist or nonphysician specialist as provided for in this section. This section may not be construed to limit the provisions in § 19–710(p) of the Health – General Article.