1. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) Carrier.

      1. (a) “Carrier” means:

         1. (i) An insurer;
         2. (ii) A nonprofit health service plan;
         3. (iii) A health maintenance organization;
         4. (iv) A dental plan organization; and
         5. (v) Any other person or organization that provides health benefit plans subject to State regulation.
      2. (b) “Carrier” includes an entity that arranges a provider panel for a carrier.
   2. (2) “Provider” means a health care practitioner or a group of health care practitioners licensed or otherwise authorized by law to provide health care services.

   3. (3) Provider Panel.

      1. (a) “Provider panel” means those providers with which a carrier contracts to provide health care services to the carrier's enrollees under the carrier's health benefit plan.
      2. (b) “Provider panel” does not include an arrangement between a carrier and providers in which a provider may participate solely on the basis of the provider's contracting with the carrier to provide services at a discounted fee-for-service rate.

Authority: Insurance Article, §§2-109 and 15-112, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: June 17, 1996 (23:12 Md. R. 870)

Chapter recodified from COMAR 09.31.13 to COMAR 31.10.16 effective September 7, 1998 (25:18 Md. R. 1439)

Regulation .03C amended effective April 21, 2008 (35:8 Md. R. 812)

Regulation .03D amended effective May 9, 2016 (43:9 Md. R. 532)

Regulation .03F amended effective December 23, 2002 (29:25 Md. R. 1984)

Regulation .05B amended effective December 6, 2018 (45:24 Md. R. 1164)