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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 31.10.26.02" title_num="31" subtitle_num="10" chapter_num="26" 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>Carrier.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>“Carrier” means:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>An insurer;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>A nonprofit health service plan;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>A health maintenance organization;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>A dental plan organization; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Any other person that provides health benefit plans subject to regulation by the State.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>“Carrier” includes an entity that arranges a provider panel for a carrier.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>“Credentialing intermediary” means a person to whom a carrier has delegated credentialing or recredentialing authority and responsibility.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>“Health benefit plan” means:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A hospital or medical policy, contract, or certificate, including those issued under multiple employer trusts or associations;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A hospital or medical policy, contract, or certificate issued by a nonprofit health service plan;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A health maintenance organization contract; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A dental plan organization contract.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>“Health care provider” means an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized under the Health Occupations Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, to provide health care services.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>“Provider panel” means the health care providers that contract with a carrier to provide health care services to the enrollees under a health benefit plan of the carrier.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>“Uniform credentialing form” means the form designated by the Insurance Commissioner for use by a carrier or its credentialing intermediary for credentialing and recredentialing a health care provider for participation on a provider panel.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>