<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<chapter num="08" heading="Small Group Market Health Insurance Geographic Areas" title_num="31" subtitle_num="11">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Applicability.">
    <text>This chapter applies to all carriers which offer health benefits plans to small employers in the State.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" 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>“Baltimore Metropolitan Area” means Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>“Eastern and Southern Maryland” means St. Mary's County, Charles County, Calvert County, Cecil County, Kent County, Queen Anne's County, Talbot County, Caroline County, Dorchester County, Wicomico County, Somerset County, and Worcester County.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>“Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area” means Montgomery County and Prince George's County.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>“Western Maryland” means Garrett County, Allegany County, Washington County, Carroll County, and Frederick County.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Geographic Areas.">
    <text>If carriers subject to this chapter adjust their community rates based on geography, they may only use the geographic areas defined in Regulation .02 of this chapter.</text>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Insurance Article, §§2-109 and 15-1205, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: May 23, 1994 (21:10 Md. R. 843)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02B amended effective October 1, 1995 (22:16 Md. R. 1221)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Chapter recodified from COMAR 09.31.04 to COMAR 31.11.08 effective September 7, 1998 (25:18 Md. R. 1439)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>