<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".26" citation="COMAR 31.14.01.26" title_num="31" subtitle_num="14" chapter_num="01" heading="Standards for Benefit Triggers.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Conditions for Payment of Benefits.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A long-term care insurance policy shall condition the payment of benefits on a determination of the insured's ability to perform activities of daily living and on cognitive impairment.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An insurer may not establish the eligibility criteria for the payment of benefits on a more restrictive basis than:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A deficiency in the ability to perform not more than three of the activities of daily living; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The presence of cognitive impairment.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Activities of Daily Living.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Activities of daily living shall include at least the following as defined in Regulation .02 of this chapter and in the policy:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Bathing;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Continence;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Dressing;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Eating;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Toileting; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Transferring.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Insurers may use activities of daily living in addition to those contained in §B(1) of this regulation to trigger covered benefits as long as they are defined in the policy.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Additional Provisions for Benefit Determination.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An insurer may use provisions in addition to those described in §§A and B of this regulation for the determination of when benefits are payable under a policy or certificate.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The provisions permitted by §C(1) of this regulation may not restrict, and are not in place of, the requirements contained in §§A and B of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>For purposes of this regulation, the determination of a deficiency may not be more restrictive than:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Requiring the hands-on assistance of another person to perform the prescribed activities of daily living; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the deficiency is due to the presence of a cognitive impairment, supervision or verbal cuing by another person is needed in order to protect the insured or others.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Assessments of activities of daily living and cognitive impairment shall be performed by licensed or certified professionals, such as physicians, nurses, or social workers.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Long-term care insurance policies shall include a clear description of the process for appealing and resolving benefit determinations.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>The requirements set forth in this regulation are effective April 1, 2003, and apply as follows:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Except as provided in §G(2) of this regulation, the provisions of this regulation apply to a long-term care policy issued in Maryland on or after April 1, 2003; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The provisions of this regulation do not apply to certificates issued on or after April 1, 2003, if the certificates are issued under an employer group long-term care insurance policy that was in force before April 1, 2003.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>