1. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

2. (b) “Carrier” means:

   1. (1) an insurer that holds a certificate of authority in the State and provides health insurance in the State;
   2. (2) a health maintenance organization that is licensed to operate in the State;
   3. (3) a nonprofit health service plan that is licensed to operate in the State; or
   4. (4) any other person or organization that provides health benefit plans subject to State insurance regulation.

3. (c) “Child” means:

   1. (1) a natural child, a stepchild, a foster child, or an adopted child of the insured; or
   2. (2) a child placed with the insured for legal adoption.

4. (d) “Essential health benefit” means a health benefit that:

   1. (1) meets the criteria established under § 1302(b) of the Affordable Care Act; or
   2. (2) if the Commissioner adopts regulations as described in § 15-1A-04 of this subtitle, meets the criteria established by the adopted regulations.

5. (e) “Grandfathered plan” means a health benefit plan that:

   1. (1) meets the criteria established under 45 C.F.R. § 147.140 and any corresponding federal rules and guidance as those provisions were in effect December 31, 2024; or
   2. (2) if the Commissioner adopts regulations as described in § 15-1A-03 of this subtitle, meets the criteria established by the adopted regulations.
6. (f) “Group plan” means a small group plan or a large group plan.
7. (g) “Health benefit plan” means an individual plan, a small group plan, or a large group plan.
8. (h) “Individual plan” means an individual health benefit plan as defined in § 15-1301(o) of this title.

9. (i) “Insured individual” means:

   1. (1) an insured, an enrollee, a subscriber, a participant, a member, or a beneficiary of a health benefit plan; or
   2. (2) any covered dependent of a health benefit plan.
10. (j) “Large group plan” means a health benefit plan as defined in § 15-1401 of this title.
11. (k) “Small group plan” means a health benefit plan as defined in § 15-1201 of this title.

Added by Acts 2020, c. 620, § 1, eff. May 8, 2020; Acts 2020, c. 621, § 1, eff. May 8, 2020. Amended by Acts 2024, c. 117, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2024; Acts 2024, c. 118, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2024; Acts 2024, c. 382, § 5; Acts 2025, c. 469, § 1, eff. June 1, 2025.