This chapter applies to the consideration, by the Maryland Health Care Commission, of an application seeking approval for funding that is responsive to an announcement posted by the Maryland Health Care Commission that it will accept applications regarding one or more specified areas of health information technology. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “Applicant” means a person, partnership, firm, association, institution, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, public or private corporation or agency, and shall include at least one rate-regulated hospital, or combination of them. “Approval for funding” means a determination made by the Health Services Cost Review Commission that it will approve an adjustment to hospital rates based on review of an application and recommendation for funding made by the Maryland Health Care Commission for an activity or program proposed by an applicant. “Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC)” means the agency established by Health-General Article, Title 19, Subtitle 1, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC)” means the agency established by Health-General Article, Title 19, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland. The Maryland Health Care Commission shall inform potential applicants that it will accept applications seeking approval for funding regarding one or more specified areas of health information technology, by posting an announcement on the MHCC website that includes, but is not limited to, the following: Each specific topic to be addressed; Required elements; Application deadline; Application review criteria; Method of review; Available funding for each application; and The maximum number of applications for which funding will be recommended. The executive director of the Maryland Health Care Commission: Shall review each application submitted pursuant to this chapter; and May seek the assistance of others in the review. The executive director shall forward the results of the review to the Maryland Health Care Commission for its consideration. The Maryland Health Care Commission shall: Determine which applications merit consideration of approval for funding by the Health Services Cost Review Commission; and For each application recommended for consideration, send to the HSCRC appropriate information that may include the following: A summary of the review criteria and scoring for each recommended application; and A recommended priority order for funding. The Health Services Cost Review Commission shall make the final decision on each MHCC-recommended application approved for funding. Any funding approved by the HSCRC shall be implemented through reasonable rate adjustments as determined by the HSCRC. Health-General Article, §19-103(c)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland Effective date: December 18, 2006 (33:25 Md. R. 1951)