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

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) “Blanket insurance” has the meaning stated in Insurance Article, §15-305, Annotated Code of Maryland.

   2. (2) “Carrier” means any of the following:

      1. (a) An insurer;
      2. (b) A nonprofit health service plan;
      3. (c) A health maintenance organization; and
      4. (d) A dental plan organization.
   3. (3) “Certificate” or “summary plan description” means the benefit summary that sets forth the essential elements of a group contract and that is required to be provided by a carrier to individuals covered under a group contract.
   4. (4) “Certificate holder” means an individual who is eligible to be covered under a group contract by reason of satisfying the eligibility requirements of the group contract, other than an individual who is covered under a group contract as the spouse, domestic partner, or dependent of the certificate holder.
   5. (5) “Contract holder” means the entity to whom a contract is issued.

   6. (6) “Group contract” means a health insurance contract, a nonprofit health service plan contract, a health maintenance organization contract, or a dental plan organization contract issued by a carrier to a group for the purpose of covering:

      1. (a) Employees or members of the group;
      2. (b) The dependents of employees or members of the group; or
      3. (c) The employees, or members of the group, and the employee's, or member's dependents.
   7. (7) “Health insurance” has the meaning stated in Insurance Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.

   8. (8) “Individual contract” means a health insurance contract, a nonprofit health service plan contract, a health maintenance organization contract, or a dental plan organization contract issued by a carrier to a contract holder covering:

      1. (a) The contract holder;
      2. (b) The contract holder's dependents; or
      3. (c) The contract holder, and the contract holder's dependents.
   9. (9) “Insurance producer” has the meaning stated in Insurance Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.

Authority: Health-General Article, §§19-705(a)(2), and 19-729; Insurance Article, §§2-109(a)(1), 4-113, and 12-20; Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: January 14, 2010 (37:1 Md. R. 16)