<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<subtitle num="01" heading="General Provisions" title_num="31" title_heading="Maryland Insurance Administration">
  <chapter num="01" heading="General">
    <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Authority and Purpose.">
      <text>This chapter is promulgated as an aid to carry out the statutory provisions set forth in the Insurance Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. Its purpose is to establish standards for the construction and application of all regulations heretofore and hereafter made in order to permit brevity, avoid needless repetition of language, and facilitate reference to related Code sections.</text>
    </regulation>
    <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Applicability.">
      <text>This chapter applies to all persons subject to any laws enforced by the Maryland Insurance Administration.</text>
    </regulation>
    <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Procedure.">
      <paragraph num="A.">
        <text>Each regulation made, amended, altered, or modified shall be deemed to contain or be subject to the provisions of this regulation, whether or not it is incorporated by reference or by express language.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="B.">
        <text>References. Any reference to articles not otherwise designated means articles of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended, as of the date of effectiveness of the subject regulation. Any reference to the Article or the Insurance Article or to an individual article not otherwise designated means Insurance Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. Any Code section reference not otherwise designated means the section of the Insurance Article so numbered. Any section, subsection, paragraph, or subparagraph reference not designated as a Code section and not otherwise designated means the section, subsection, paragraph, or subparagraph so numbered of the regulation in which the reference appears.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="C.">
        <text>Definitions.</text>
        <paragraph num="(1)">
          <text>Unless a word is expressly defined in this title and the definition is applicable to a regulation or part of a regulation, any word used in any regulation shall have the meaning provided in the Insurance Article if applicable and as limited in the Insurance Article, including the list of definitions contained in Regulation .04 of this chapter.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(2)">
          <text>Notwithstanding §C(1) of this regulation, in the case of a conflict between a definition in the Insurance Article and a definition in this title, the definition in the Insurance Article is controlling.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="D.">
        <text>Interpretation. If there is an ambiguity in a regulation which permits an interpretation or application to a person or circumstance in conflict with the Insurance Article, the ambiguity shall be resolved so as to be in conformity with the Insurance Article.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="E.">
        <text>Penalties. In addition to any other penalty provided, willful violation of any regulation issued under the provisions of Insurance Article, §2-109, Annotated Code of Maryland, shall subject the violator to such penalties as may be applicable under the Insurance Article for violation of the provision to which the regulation relates. A penalties section reference list is attached as Regulation .05 of this chapter but it should not be construed to represent necessarily a complete listing of all penalties provided in the Insurance Article.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="F.">
        <text>Severability. If any provision of any regulation or the application of the regulation to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the regulation which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and for this purpose the provisions of every regulation are declared to be separable.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="G.">
        <text>Gender and Number. The use of a masculine form in any regulation is deemed to include the feminine form unless the contrary is explicitly stated or clearly implied. The use of the singular of any word in any regulation is deemed to include the plural unless the contrary is explicitly stated or clearly implied.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="H.">
        <text>“Includes” or “including” means, unless the context requires otherwise, includes or including by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </regulation>
    <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Definitions Section Reference List.">
      <text>Definitions
            Section
          
        
        
          
            Admitted Assets
            5-101
          
          
            Adviser
            10-201(b)
          
          
            Affiliate
            7-101(b)
          
          
            Alien Insurer
            1-101(c)
          
          
            Ancillary State
            9-201(b)
          
          
            Annuity
            1-101(d)
          
          
            Annuity Contract
            1-101(e)
          
          
            Association
            25-401(b)
          
          
            Attorney in fact
            3-212(a)
          
          
            Authorized Insurer
            1-101(g)
          
          
            Blanket Health Insurance
            15-305
          
          
            Burial Insurance
            1-101(h)
          
          
            Casualty Insurance
            1-101(i)
          
          
            Commissioner
            1-101(k)
          
          
            Control
            7-101(c)
          
          
            Controlled by
            7-101(c)
          
          
            Controlling
            7-101(c)
          
          
            Covered Claim
            9-301(d)
          
          
            Delinquency Proceedings
            9-201(d)
          
          
            Domestic Insurer
            1-101(m)
          
          
            Domiciliary State
            9-201(e)
          
          
            Doing an Insurance Business in This State
            4-205(c)
          
          
            Essential Property Insurance
            25-401(d)
          
          
            Foreign Country
            9-201(f)
          
          
            Foreign Insurer
            1-101(n)
          
          
            Franchise Health Insurance, Employees
            15-1102(a)
          
          
            Fraternal Benefit Societies, Society
            8-402
          
          
            General Assets
            9-201(g)
          
          
            Group Health Insurance
            15-302
          
          
            Group Health Insurance, Employees
            15-302
          
          
            Health Insurance
            1-101(p)
          
          
            Impaired Insurer
            9-201(h)
          
          
            Independent Insurance Producer
            1-101(q)
          
          
            Industrial Life Insurance
            1-101(r)
          
          
            Insurable Interest
            12-301
          
          
            Insurance
            1-101(s)
          
          
            Insurance Business
            1-101(t)
          
          
            Insurance Holding Company
            7-101(d)
          
          
            Insurance Holding Company System
            7-101(e)
          
          
            Insurance Producer
            1-101(u)
          
          
            Insurer
            1-101(v)
          
          
            Life Insurance
            1-101(x)
          
          
            Life Insurer
            1-101(y)
          
          
            Lodge System
            8-402(b)
          
          
            Marine Insurance
            1-101(z)
          
          
            Mutual Insurer
            1-101(bb)
          
          
            Net Direct Written Premiums
            9-301(g)
          
          
            Person
            1-101(dd)
          
          
            Policy
            1-101(ee)
          
          
            Preferred Claims
            9-227(a)
          
          
            Premium
            1-101(ff)
          
          
            Premium Finance Agreement
            23-101(b)
          
          
            Premium Finance Company
            23-101(c)
          
          
            Premiums Written
            25-401(f)
          
          
            Property Insurance
            1-101(gg)
          
          
            Public Adjuster
            10-401(d)
          
          
            Qualified Jurisdiction
            5-901(d)
          
          
            Qualified United States Financial Institution
            5-901(e)
          
          
            Receiver
            9-201(j)
          
          
            Reciprocal Insurance
            1-101(hh)
          
          
            Reciprocal Insurer
            1-101(ii)
          
          
            Reciprocal State
            9-201(k)
          
          
            Reinsurance
            1-101(jj)
          
          
            Residents
            27-701
          
          
            Representative Form of Government
            8-402(c)
          
          
            Secured Claim
            9-201(l)
          
          
            Special Deposit Claim
            9-201(m)
          
          
            State
            1-101(mm)
          
          
            State, Impaired Entities
            9-201(n)
          
          
            Stock Insurer
            1-101(nn)
          
          
            Subsidiary
            7-101(f)
          
          
            Surety Insurance
            1-101(oo)
          
          
            Title Insurance
            1-101(qq)
          
          
            Ultimate Controlling Person
            7-101(h)
          
          
            Unauthorized Insurer
            1-101(rr)
          
          
            Under Common Control With
            7-101(c)
          
          
            Unfair &amp; Deceptive Acts or Practices in the Business of Insurance
            27-201
          
          
            Unfair Methods of Competition
            27-201
          
          
            Wet Marine and Transportation Insurance
            1-101(ss)
          
          
            Wholesale Life Insurance
            1-101(tt)</text>
    </regulation>
    <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Penalties Section Reference List.">
      <text>Section
          
        
        
          
            Annual Statement Filing—Penalty
            4-116
          
          
            Insurance Producer—Fine in Lieu of Revocation, etc.
            10-126(c)
          
          
            Insurance Producer—Licenses
            10-131
          
          
            Insurance Producer—License Revocation, etc.
            10-126
          
          
            Insurance Producer—Restitution May Be Required
            10-126(d)
          
          
            Enforcement in Courts
            2-201
          
          
            False Applications, etc.
            27-406
          
          
            Fraternal Benefit Society, Domestic—Injunction, etc.
            8-464
          
          
            Fraternal Benefit Society—License Revocation, etc.
            8-424(e)
          
          
            Fraternal Benefit Society—Misrepresentation
            8-468
          
          
            General Criminal Penalty, Willful Violation
            1-301
          
          
            Insurance Adviser—License Revocation, etc.
            10-212
          
          
            Insurer—Certificate of Authority Revocation, etc.
            4-113, 8-424(e), 9-308(b)
          
          
            Insurer—Penalties in Lieu of Revocation, etc.
            4-113(d)
          
          
            Nonprofit Health Service Plans—License Revocation
            14-112
          
          
            Nonprofit Health Service Plans—Criminal Penalties
            14-140
          
          
            Premium Finance Registrations—Revocation &amp; Fines
            23-208, 23-209
          
          
            Rating Violation—Casualty &amp; Surety Insurance
            11-232
          
          
            Rating Violation—Property &amp; Marine Insurance
            11-232
          
          
            Rating Violation—Title Insurance
            11-409
          
          
            Reciprocal Insurer—Certificate of Authority Revocation
            3-208
          
          
            Rules and Regulations
            2-109(f)
          
          
            Surplus Lines—Broker's Licenses
            3-317
          
          
            Surplus Lines—Evidence of Insurance—Misdemeanor
            3-326
          
          
            Unauthorized Insurers Premium Penalty For Late Payment
            4-211
          
          
            Unauthorized Insurers Act Violation
            4-212
          
          
            Unauthorized Insurers Premium Penalty
            4-209
          
          
            Undefined Unfair Trade Practices
            27-104
          
          
            Unfair Claim Settlement Practices
            27-301—27-305
          
          
            Unfair Trade Practices, Cease and Desist
            27-103
          
          
            Witnesses and Evidence, Failure to Comply With Subpoena, Inquiry
            2-203</text>
    </regulation>
    <annotations>
      <annotation type="Authority">Insurance Article, §2-109, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: June 20, 1970</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Appendix “B” amended effective March 6, 1989 (16:4 Md. R. 496)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Chapter recodified from COMAR 09.30.01 to COMAR 31.01.01 effective September 7, 1998 (25:18 Md. R. 1439)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01 amended effective November 9, 2015 (42:22 Md. R. 1379)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03C amended effective May 23, 2005 (32:10 Md. R. 926)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03H adopted effective January 1, 2003 (29:20 Md. R. 1591)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04 amended effective May 23, 2005 (32:10 Md. R. 926); November 9, 2015 (42:22 Md. R. 1379)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .05 amended effective May 23, 2005 (32:10 Md. R. 926); November 9, 2015 (42:22 Md. R. 1379)</annotation>
    </annotations>
  </chapter>
  <chapter num="02" heading="Emergency Powers">
    <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Purpose.">
      <text>The purpose of this chapter is to provide safeguards to consumers with respect to their dealings with entities licensed or registered to transact insurance business in the State in the event of:</text>
      <paragraph num="A.">
        <text>A Governor-declared state of emergency;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="B.">
        <text>A Presidential declaration of a major disaster or emergency declaration under the Federal Stafford Act; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="C.">
        <text>A national or public health emergency that within the Commissioner’s discretion affects the State that:</text>
        <paragraph num="(1)">
          <text>Is issued:</text>
          <paragraph num="(a)">
            <text>By the President of the United States under §201, 202(d) or 301 of the Federal National Emergencies Act; or</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(b)">
            <text>By the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Federal Public Health Service Act; and</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(2)">
          <text>Is based on a serious threat to health resulting from the existence of a deadly agent as defined in Public Safety Article, §14-3A-01, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </regulation>
    <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Applicability.">
      <paragraph num="A.">
        <text>This chapter applies to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(1)">
          <text>Each insurer, nonprofit health service plan, health maintenance organization, and dental plan organization licensed to do business in Maryland;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(2)">
          <text>Each premium finance company registered to do business in Maryland; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(3)">
          <text>Each pharmacy benefits manager registered to do business in Maryland.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="B.">
        <text>This chapter also applies to the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) and the Joint Insurance Association (JIA).</text>
      </paragraph>
    </regulation>
    <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Definitions.">
      <paragraph num="A.">
        <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="B.">
        <text>Terms Defined.</text>
        <paragraph num="(1)">
          <text>All Other Lines.</text>
          <paragraph num="(a)">
            <text>“All other lines” means any line of business or coverage that is not included in any of the line/coverage definitions under this chapter for which claims attributable to a disaster subject to a data call were reported.</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(b)">
            <text>“All other lines” does not include mortgage/financial guaranty, title, fidelity, surety, medical malpractice, or professional liability insurance lines of business.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(2)">
          <text>“Business interruption insurance” means insurance that covers the loss of income, continuing fixed expenses, or extra expenses a business suffers after a disaster while its facility is either closed because of the disaster or in the process of being rebuilt after the disaster.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(3)">
          <text>Case Incurred Loss.</text>
          <paragraph num="(a)">
            <text>“Case incurred loss” means indemnity case reserves plus payments to date.</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(b)">
            <text>“Case incurred loss” does not include estimates of incurred but not reported (IBNR) losses.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(4)">
          <text>“Casualty insurance” has the meaning stated in Insurance Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(5)">
          <text>Claims Closed with Payment.</text>
          <paragraph num="(a)">
            <text>“Claims closed with payment” means all claims closed where a loss payment was made regardless of the date of loss or when the claim was received.</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(b)">
            <text>“Claims closed with payment” does not include claims closed where loss adjustment expense was incurred but no payment to the insured was made.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(6)">
          <text>Claims Closed without Payment.</text>
          <paragraph num="(a)">
            <text>“Claims closed without payment” means all claims closed where no loss payment was made regardless of the date of loss or when the claim was received.</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(b)">
            <text>“Claims closed without payment” includes claims closed where loss adjustment expense was incurred but no payment to the insured was made.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(7)">
          <text>“Claims reported” means all claims reported regardless of whether a payment was made.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(8)">
          <text>“Closed claim” means a claim:</text>
          <paragraph num="(a)">
            <text>That has been settled and the claimant has received a payment even if the claimant may receive additional payment or payments from the insurer if the claimant provides additional information to the insurer regarding replacement or other costs as they are incurred;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(b)">
            <text>For which the claimant has not received a payment because the amount is less than the deductible;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(c)">
            <text>That has been withdrawn by the insured; or</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(d)">
            <text>That has been denied.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(9)">
          <text>“Commercial auto insurance” means liability and physical damage insurance that covers vehicles used for commercial purposes.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(10)">
          <text>“Commercial property” means all property not categorized as residential property.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(11)">
          <text>“Copayment” means a specified charge that a covered person pays each time services of a particular type or in a designated setting are received.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(12)">
          <text>“Deductible” means the amount of allowable charges that are incurred by an individual or family per year before a carrier begins payment.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(13)">
          <text>“Eligible individual” means an individual who:</text>
          <paragraph num="(a)">
            <text>Enrolled in Medicare Part B while enrolled in the Maryland Medical Assistance Program;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(b)">
            <text>Remained in the Maryland Medical Assistance Program due to a suspension of terminations by the Maryland Medical Assistance Program during a state of emergency, and was not disenrolled until or terminated until at least 6 months following the effective date of enrollment in Part B of Medicare;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(c)">
            <text>Seeks to enroll in a Medicare supplement policy during the 63-day period following the later of notice of termination or disenrollment or the date of termination from the Maryland Medical Assistance Program; and</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(d)">
            <text>Submits evidence of the date of termination or disenrollment from the Maryland Medical Assistance Program with the application for a Medicare supplement policy.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(14)">
          <text>“Farm owner's insurance” means insurance that provides liability coverage and coverage for damage to physical structures and other property located on a farm.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(15)">
          <text>“Health benefits” means a policy or certificate that includes benefits for hospital or medical services issued by a carrier.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(16)">
          <text>“Health carrier” means:</text>
          <paragraph num="(a)">
            <text>An insurer;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(b)">
            <text>A nonprofit health service plan;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(c)">
            <text>A health maintenance organization; and</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(d)">
            <text>A dental plan organization.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(17)">
          <text>“Health insurance” has the meaning stated in Insurance Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(18)">
          <text>“Homeowner's insurance” means insurance for residential property provided under:</text>
          <paragraph num="(a)">
            <text>A homeowner's policy;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(b)">
            <text>A condominium owner's policy;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(c)">
            <text>A mobile homeowner's policy;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(d)">
            <text>A renter's policy; or</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(e)">
            <text>A noncommercial farm owner's policy.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(19)">
          <text>“Life insurance” has the meaning stated in Insurance Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(20)">
          <text>“Loss payment” means the portion of an incurred loss that is paid by the insurer.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(21)">
          <text>“Percentage of claims closed” means a percentage calculated as (claims closed with payment + claims closed without payment)/(claims reported).</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(22)">
          <text>“Premium finance company” has the meaning stated in Insurance Article, §23-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(23)">
          <text>Private Passenger Auto Insurance.</text>
          <paragraph num="(a)">
            <text>“Private passenger auto insurance” means liability and physical damage insurance that covers a vehicle driven for personal use.</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(b)">
            <text>“Private passenger auto insurance” includes automobiles, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(24)">
          <text>“Privately issued flood insurance” means specific insurance coverage against property loss from flooding under any policy or endorsement, issued by any entity other than the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(25)">
          <text>“Property insurance” has the meaning stated in Insurance Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(26)">
          <text>“Specified illness” means an illness, disease, virus, or infection for which:</text>
          <paragraph num="(a)">
            <text>The Governor has declared or has renewed a declaration of a state of emergency for the State or an area within the State under Public Safety Article, §14-107, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(b)">
            <text>The President of the United States has issued a major disaster or emergency declaration for the State or an area within the State under the federal Stafford Act; or</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(c)">
            <text>A national or public health emergency that within the Commissioner’s discretion affects the State and is:</text>
            <paragraph num="(i)">
              <text>Issued by the President of the United States under §201, 202(d), or 301 of the Federal National Emergencies Act or by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Federal Public Health Service Act; and</text>
            </paragraph>
            <paragraph num="(ii)">
              <text>Based on a serious threat to health resulting from the existence of a deadly agent as defined in Public Safety Article, §14-3A-01, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
            </paragraph>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(27)">
          <text>Workers' Compensation Insurance.</text>
          <paragraph num="(a)">
            <text>“Workers' compensation insurance” means insurance providing wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of employment in exchange for mandatory relinquishment of the employee's right to sue the employee's employer for the tort of negligence.</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(b)">
            <text>“Workers” compensation insurance" includes associated employer's liability coverage.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </regulation>
    <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Disaster Contact Personnel.">
      <paragraph num="A.">
        <text>Each insurer, nonprofit health service plan, and dental plan organization authorized to issue insurance contracts that provide health insurance, life insurance, property insurance, or casualty insurance in Maryland shall provide primary and backup contact information for individuals the Commissioner may contact in the event of a disaster or catastrophic event.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="B.">
        <text>The information required under §A of this regulation shall also be provided by:</text>
        <paragraph num="(1)">
          <text>Health maintenance organizations licensed to operate in Maryland;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(2)">
          <text>The Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(3)">
          <text>The Joint Insurance Association; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(4)">
          <text>Premium finance companies.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="C.">
        <text>By April 15 of each year, each entity subject to §A or B of this regulation shall complete a questionnaire as specified by bulletin to provide the information required under §A or B of this regulation and information about the entity's disaster preparedness plans.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </regulation>
    <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Activation of Regulations.">
      <paragraph num="A.">
        <text>If an event described in Regulation .01 of this chapter occurs, the Commissioner may activate one or more of the requirements specified in this chapter adopted under this regulation by issuing a bulletin specifying:</text>
        <paragraph num="(1)">
          <text>That a specific requirement of the chapter is activated;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(2)">
          <text>The line or lines of business to which the activated requirement described in §A(1) of this regulation applies;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(3)">
          <text>The geographic areas to which the activated requirement described in §A(1) of this regulation applies; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(4)">
          <text>The period of time for which the activated requirement described in §A(1) of this regulation applies.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="B.">
        <text>A requirement activated under §A or E of this regulation may not:</text>
        <paragraph num="(1)">
          <text>Apply beyond the geographic area included within the Governor's or President's declaration of a state of emergency or disaster; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(2)">
          <text>Apply, except as otherwise authorized by §C of this regulation or by Insurance Article, §12-210 or 19-112, Annotated Code of Maryland, beyond the duration of the Governor’s or President’s declaration or renewal of a state of emergency.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="C.">
        <text>A requirement activated under Regulation .01C of this chapter may not apply beyond the duration of the President’s or Secretary of Health and Human Services’ declaration of a national or public health emergency.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="D.">
        <text>If a presidential disaster declaration is not accompanied by a declaration of a state of emergency by the Governor, a requirement activated under §A or E of this regulation may not remain in effect for more than 30 days of the presidential disaster declaration.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="E.">
        <text>The Commissioner:</text>
        <paragraph num="(1)">
          <text>Shall provide a copy of the bulletin to the disaster contact personnel identified pursuant to Regulation .04 of this chapter; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(2)">
          <text>Shall, to the extent possible, post a copy of the bulletin on the Administration's website.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="F.">
        <text>In addition to actions specifically set forth in this chapter, in the event of a state of emergency or emergency declaration, the Commissioner may take any other activity he considers necessary to protect the residents of the State.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </regulation>
    <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Life and Health.">
      <paragraph num="A.">
        <text>The bulletin issued by the Commissioner under Regulation .05 of this chapter may require health carriers to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(1)">
          <text>Suspend health benefit cancellations and nonrenewals;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(2)">
          <text>Allow a provider in the geographic area to which the regulation applies to submit a claim for service provided 30 calendar days prior to the effective date of the regulation, up to 240 calendar days after the date the service was rendered;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(3)">
          <text>Waive any time restrictions on prescription medication refills and authorize payment to pharmacies for at least a 30-day supply of any prescription medication, regardless of the date upon which the prescription medication had most recently been filled by a pharmacist;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(4)">
          <text>Waive any restrictions on the time frame for the replacement of durable medical equipment or supplies, eyeglasses, and dentures;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(5)">
          <text>Except as provided in §§J and K of this regulation, waive any cost-sharing, including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles, for any visit to diagnose or test for a specified illness, regardless of the setting of the testing (for example, an emergency room, urgent care center, or primary physician’s office);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(6)">
          <text>Except as provided in §§J and K of this regulation, waive any cost-sharing, including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles, for laboratory fees to diagnose or test for a specified illness;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(7)">
          <text>Except as provided in §§J and K of this regulation, waive any cost-sharing, including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles, for vaccination for a specified illness; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(8)">
          <text>Except as provided in §§J and K of this regulation, waive any cost-sharing, including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles, for treatment for a specified illness.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="B.">
        <text>A health carrier may cancel or refuse to renew any health benefits if all premiums due are not paid within 60 calendar days following the date the bulletin issued pursuant to Regulation .05D of this chapter expires.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="C.">
        <text>The effective date of cancellation or refusal to renew pursuant to §B of this regulation is the date the health carrier was originally permitted to take such action after the expiration of any applicable grace period.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="D.">
        <text>The Commissioner may extend any time frames required for processing claims for a health carrier if the health carrier requests an extension in writing and demonstrates the legitimate reason for the business disruption to the Commissioner.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="E.">
        <text>The Commissioner may suspend the requirement to pay interest on claims as required by Insurance Article, §15-1005, Annotated Code of Maryland, if the health carrier requests such suspension in writing and demonstrates to the Commissioner a legitimate reason for the suspension of the requirement to pay interest.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="F.">
        <text>The Commissioner may require a health carrier to make a claims payment for treatment for a specified illness that the health carrier has denied as experimental or investigational.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="G.">
        <text>A health carrier shall evaluate a request to use an out-of-network provider to perform diagnostic testing of a specified illness solely on the basis of whether the use of the out-of-network provider is medically necessary or appropriate.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="H.">
        <text>Subject to §M of this regulation, the only prior authorization requirements a health carrier may utilize relating to testing for a specified illness shall relate to the medical necessity of that testing.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="I.">
        <text>An adverse decision on a request for coverage of diagnostic services for a specified illness shall be considered an emergency case for which an expedited grievance procedure is required under Insurance Article, §15-10A-02, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="J.">
        <text>The requirements of §A(5)—(8) of this regulation do not apply to a Medicare supplement policy as defined by Insurance Article, §15-901(k), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="K.">
        <text>A carrier is not required to waive the deductible for an insured covered under a high deductible health plan, as defined in 26 U.S.C. §223, if the waiver of the deductible would disqualify the plan from being considered a high deductible health plan under federal law.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="L.">
        <text>The Commissioner may require pharmacy benefits managers and health carriers to suspend random audits, including but not limited to in-person or “desk” audits, of pharmacies unless there is a reasonable suspicion of fraud.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="M.">
        <text>The Commissioner may require health carriers to suspend, waive, or modify requirements related to prior authorizations, concurrent review, retrospective review, and notification of inpatient acute care, post-discharge care, and facility transfers.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="N.">
        <text>With respect to an eligible individual, a carrier may not:</text>
        <paragraph num="(1)">
          <text>Deny or place a condition on the issuance or effectiveness of a Medicare supplement policy that is offered and is available for issuance to new enrollees by the issuer;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(2)">
          <text>Discriminate in the pricing of a Medicare supplement policy because of health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(3)">
          <text>Impose an exclusion of benefits based on a preexisting condition under a Medicare supplement policy.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </regulation>
    <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" heading="Property and Casualty.">
      <paragraph num="A.">
        <text>The bulletin issued by the Commissioner under Regulation .05 of this chapter may require insurers authorized in the State who write property and casualty insurance, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund, and the Joint Insurance Association to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(1)">
          <text>Suspend policy cancellations and nonrenewals;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(2)">
          <text>Extend the time periods for completion of repairs to an affected property in the event that repairs necessitated by the disaster or catastrophic event cannot be completed within the time period required under the policy;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(3)">
          <text>Provide any or all of the data listed in §C of this regulation in a manner required by the Commissioner in the bulletin;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(4)">
          <text>Implement a grace period of up to 60 days for the receipt of premium payments from customers prior to cancellation of policies;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(5)">
          <text>Suspend the obligation of title insurers to conduct on-site reviews of each of its title insurance producers appointed as principal agents within the calendar year pursuant to COMAR 31.04.22.04, provided that the process and procedures for conducting virtual audits are submitted to, and deemed adequate by, the Commissioner;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(6)">
          <text>Suspend the requirements under Insurance Article, §8-210, Annotated Code of Maryland, for an insurer to conduct an on-site review of the underwriting and claims processing operations of its managing general agent;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(7)">
          <text>Suspend the requirement under Insurance Article, §8-520, Annotated Code of Maryland, for a reinsurer to conduct on-site review of the underwriting and claims processing operations of the reinsurance manager; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(8)">
          <text>On request of the Commissioner, provide any additional information that the Commissioner determines is necessary because of the nature of the emergency.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="B.">
        <text>If a company is unable to provide all of the information required by the Commissioner under this regulation, the company shall provide the Commissioner with a detailed explanation of why it is unable to provide the information and state what information the company can provide.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="C.">
        <text>By a bulletin issued under Regulation .05 of this chapter, the Commissioner may require authorized insurers, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund, and the Joint Insurance Association to provide any or all of the following information:</text>
        <paragraph num="(1)">
          <text>NAIC group number and group name, or in the alternative, NAIC company number and company name (list all companies that are included in the group);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(2)">
          <text>Name of person to contact with any questions;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(3)">
          <text>Mailing address of contact person;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(4)">
          <text>Email address of contact person;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(5)">
          <text>Phone number of contact person;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(6)">
          <text>For each line of insurance defined in Regulation .03 of this chapter and all other lines, the following information by zip code or by county:</text>
          <paragraph num="(a)">
            <text>Number of claims received;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(b)">
            <text>Amount paid on claims to date (indicate whether this amount includes amounts reserved for claims);</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(c)">
            <text>Number of claims closed with payment;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(d)">
            <text>Number of claims closed without payment;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(e)">
            <text>Case incurred loss;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(f)">
            <text>Percentage of claims closed; and</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(g)">
            <text>Average time it took to close a claim (aging should begin the date the claim is reported);</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(7)">
          <text>For each line of insurance defined in Regulation .03 of this chapter and all other lines, the following information on a Statewide basis:</text>
          <paragraph num="(a)">
            <text>Total number of Maryland claims received;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(b)">
            <text>Amount paid on Maryland claims to date (indicate whether this amount includes amounts reserved for claims);</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(c)">
            <text>Number of Maryland claims closed with payment;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(d)">
            <text>Number of Maryland claims closed without payment;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(e)">
            <text>Maryland case incurred loss; and</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(f)">
            <text>Percentage of Maryland claims closed; or</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(8)">
          <text>Specify what lines the company has included in all other lines.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="D.">
        <text>Reporting Instructions.</text>
        <paragraph num="(1)">
          <text>Losses under business interruption insurance shall be reported under “business interruption insurance” and not under “commercial property insurance”.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(2)">
          <text>Experience for vehicles covered by commercial auto insurance shall be consistent with data reported on lines 19.3, 19.4, and 21.2 of the P&amp;C annual statement.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(3)">
          <text>Experience for flood coverage provided as an additional peril without endorsement under a residential or commercial property policy may be included with the associated property policy.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(4)">
          <text>Experience for vehicles covered by private passenger auto insurance shall be consistent with data reported on lines 19.1, 19.2, and 21.1 of the P&amp;C annual statement.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(5)">
          <text>Experience for workers’ compensation insurance shall be consistent with data reported on line 16 of the P&amp;C annual statement.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="E.">
        <text>If the Commissioner requires suspension of policy cancellations and nonrenewals, a property and casualty insurer, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund, or the Joint Insurance Association may cancel or refuse to renew any policy, after proper notice is issued, if:</text>
        <paragraph num="(1)">
          <text>All premiums due are not paid within 60 calendar days after the date of the expiration of the bulletin enacted pursuant to Regulation .05 of this chapter; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(2)">
          <text>The policy would have been lawfully cancelled or nonrenewed for reasons other than nonpayment of premium if not for the suspension of all policy cancellations or nonrenewals.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="F.">
        <text>Data supplied to the Commissioner under §A(3) of this regulation is confidential commercial data protected under State Government Article, §10-617(d), Annotated Code of Maryland, except when aggregated with data from all other insurers in a manner that does not permit any individual company information to be identified.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="G.">
        <text>A property and casualty insurer, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund, or the Joint Insurance Association may deduct any premium payments past due from a claim payment made to the insured under the insurance policy from the effective date of the bulletin issued pursuant to Regulation .05 of this chapter until 60 calendar days after the expiration of the bulletin.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </regulation>
    <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" heading="Premium Finance Companies.">
      <paragraph num="A.">
        <text>The bulletin issued by the Commissioner under Regulation .05 of this chapter may require every premium finance company registered to do business in this State to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(1)">
          <text>Suspend cancellations of insurance policies for nonpayment of funds due under the premium finance agreement;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(2)">
          <text>Grant affected persons an extension of any and all contractual provisions or other requirements that impose a time limit for an insured to perform any act including the payment of funds; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(3)">
          <text>Waive additional interest, penalties, fees, or other charges accrued or assessed as the result of the extension required herein.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="B.">
        <text>A premium finance company may cancel prospectively, after appropriate notice is issued, any policy if all payments due under the premium finance agreement are not paid within 60 calendar days after the date of the expiration of the bulletin issued pursuant to Regulation .05 of this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="C.">
        <text>A premium finance company may not cancel any insurance policy for failure of the insured to pay interest, penalties, or other charges until 60 calendar days after the date of the expiration of the bulletin issued pursuant to Regulation .05 of this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </regulation>
    <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" heading="Notification of Actions Taken to Implement Regulations.">
      <paragraph num="A.">
        <text>To the extent that an entity subject to Regulation .04A or B of this chapter establishes procedures specific to a disaster or emergency event for consumers to use, such as specific contact phone numbers, the entity may use alternative forms of communication to notify consumers of these procedures.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="B.">
        <text>Examples of alternative forms of communication referenced in §A of this regulation include, but are not limited to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(1)">
          <text>Press releases;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(2)">
          <text>Public service announcements;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(3)">
          <text>Placing information in local newspapers; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(4)">
          <text>Posting information on the carrier's website.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </regulation>
    <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".10" heading="Deadlines.">
      <paragraph num="A.">
        <text>The bulletin issued by the Commissioner under Regulation .05 of this chapter may extend the statutorily imposed deadline for submissions to the Administration by up to 30 days. These submissions may include:</text>
        <paragraph num="(1)">
          <text>Requests for hearings;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(2)">
          <text>Premium increase protests;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(3)">
          <text>Other complaints;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(4)">
          <text>Exceptions to Office of Administration Hearing opinions; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(5)">
          <text>Responses to Insurance Article, §27-1001, Annotated Code of Maryland, complaints.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="B.">
        <text>The Commissioner may extend statutory deadlines imposed on the Administration as deemed necessary by the Commissioner during the state of emergency provided the Governor has agreed to extend such statutory requirements and provided the Commissioner affords notice of the extension consistent with this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </regulation>
    <annotations>
      <annotation type="Authority">Health-General Article, §19-706; Insurance Article, §2-115; Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: July 16, 2009 (36:14 Md. R. 985)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01 amended effective December 12, 2022 (49:25 Md. R. 1052)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02A amended as an emergency provision effective April 28, 2020 (47:11 Md. R. 557); emergency provision expired August 31, 2020</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02A amended as an emergency provision effective September 1, 2020 (47:20 Md. R. 872); adopted permanently effective December 28, 2020 (47:26 Md. R. 1108)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02B amended effective July 1, 2016 (43:5 Md. R. 387)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03B amended effective July 1, 2016 (43:5 Md. R. 387)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03B amended as an emergency provision affective March 9, 2020 (47:7 Md. R. 382); emergency provision expired August 31, 2020</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03B amended as an emergency provision affective September 1, 2020 (47:20 Md. R. 872); adopted permanently effective December 28, 2020 (47:26 Md. R. 1108)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03B amended effective December 12, 2022 (49:25 Md. R. 1052)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04B amended effective July 1, 2016 (43:5 Md. R. 387)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .05 amended effective December 12, 2022 (49:25 Md. R. 1052)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .06 amended as an emergency provision affective March 9, 2020 (47:7 Md. R. 382); emergency provision expired April 27, 2020</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .06 amended as an emergency provision effective April 28, 2020 (47:11 Md. R. 557); emergency provision expired August 31, 2020</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .06 amended as an emergency provision effective September 1, 2020 (47:20 Md. R. 872); adopted permanently effective December 28, 2020 (47:26 Md. R. 1108)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .06F amended effective November 29, 2021 (48:24 Md. R. 1025)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .07 amended effective July 1, 2016 (43:5 Md. R. 387)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .07A amended effective November 29, 2021 (48:24 Md. R. 1025)</annotation>
      <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .10 adopted effective November 29, 2021 (48:24 Md. R. 1025)</annotation>
    </annotations>
  </chapter>
</subtitle>