<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 31.10.18.02" title_num="31" subtitle_num="10" chapter_num="18" 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>Adverse Decision.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>“Adverse decision” means a utilization review determination by a private review agent, a carrier, or a health care provider acting on behalf of a carrier that:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>A proposed or delivered health care service which would otherwise be covered under the member's contract is not or was not medically necessary, appropriate, or efficient; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>May result in noncoverage of the health care service.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>“Adverse decision” does not include a decision concerning a person's status as a member.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>“Carrier” has the meaning stated in Insurance Article, §15-10A-01, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>“Complaint” means a protest filed with the Commissioner involving an adverse decision or grievance decision concerning a member.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>“Emergency case” means a case involving an adverse decision for which an expedited review is required under Regulation .05 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>“Filing date” means the earlier of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>5 days after the date of mailing; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The date of receipt.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>“Grievance” means a protest filed by a member, a member’s representative, or a health care provider on behalf of a member with a carrier through the carrier's internal grievance process regarding an adverse decision concerning the member.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>“Grievance decision” means a final determination by a carrier that arises from a grievance filed with the carrier under its internal grievance process regarding an adverse decision concerning a member.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>“Health Advocacy Unit” means the Health Education and Advocacy Unit in the Division of Consumer Protection of the Office of the Attorney General established under Commercial Law Article, Title 13, Subtitle 4A, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>“Health care provider” means:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An individual who is:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Licensed or otherwise authorized in this State to provide health care services in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>A treating provider of a member; or</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A hospital, as defined in Health-General Article, §19-301, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>“Health care service” has the meaning stated in Insurance Article, §15-10A-01, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>Member.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>“Member” means a person entitled to health care benefits under a policy, plan, or certificate issued or delivered in the State by a carrier.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>“Member” includes:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>A subscriber; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Unless preempted by federal law, a Medicare recipient.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>“Member” does not include a Medicaid recipient.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(12)">
      <text>“Member’s representative” has the meaning stated in Insurance Article, §15-10A-01, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(13)">
      <text>“Private review agent” has the meaning stated in Insurance Article, §15-10B-01, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>