1. (a) In this section, “nurse midwife” means a licensed registered nurse who is certified as a nurse midwife by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.
2. (b) Each insurer that proposes to issue, renew, amend, or reissue an individual, group, or blanket health insurance policy in the State that is written on an expense-incurred basis shall offer the option of providing benefits for expenses that arise from services rendered by a nurse midwife.
3. (c) Each nonprofit health service plan that proposes to issue, renew, amend, or reissue a health insurance policy in the State shall offer the option of providing benefits for expenses that arise from services rendered by a nurse midwife.

4. (d)

   1. (1) This subsection applies to each individual, group, or blanket health insurance policy, contract, or certificate of an insurer or nonprofit health service plan that:

      1. (i) 1. is issued or delivered in the State;

         1. 2. is issued to a group that is incorporated or has a main office in the State; or
         2. 3. covers individuals who reside or work in the State;
      2. (ii) is issued, renewed, amended, or reissued on or after July 1, 1979; and
      3. (iii) if issued by an insurer, is written on an expense-incurred basis.
   2. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of a policy, contract, or certificate subject to this subsection, if the policy, contract, or certificate provides for reimbursement for a service that is within the lawful scope of practice of a nurse midwife, the insured or any other person covered by the policy, contract, or certificate is entitled to reimbursement for the service regardless of whether the service is performed by a physician or nurse midwife.
5. (e) A policy that provides benefits under this section for services rendered by a nurse midwife may not require, as a condition for the payment of benefits, that the nurse midwife be employed by a physician or act under a physician's orders.
6. (f) The utilization of health insurance benefits provided under this section for services rendered by a nurse midwife is subject to review by a peer review committee appointed by the State Board of Nursing.

Added by Acts 1997, c. 35, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1997.

Formerly Art. 48A, §§ 354N, 470M, 477R, 490A-2.