{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-insurance-15-1a-01","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Insurance § 15–1A–01","heading":"","body":"(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.\n(b) “Carrier” means:\n(1) an insurer that holds a certificate of authority in the State and provides health insurance in the State;\n(2) a health maintenance organization that is licensed to operate in the State;\n(3) a nonprofit health service plan that is licensed to operate in the State; or\n(4) any other person or organization that provides health benefit plans subject to State insurance regulation.\n(c) “Child” means:\n(1) a natural child, a stepchild, a foster child, or an adopted child of the insured; or\n(2) a child placed with the insured for legal adoption.\n(d) “Essential health benefit” means a health benefit that:\n(1) meets the criteria established under § 1302(b) of the Affordable Care Act; or\n(2) if the Commissioner adopts regulations as described in § 15–1A–04 of this subtitle, meets the criteria established by the adopted regulations.\n(e) “Grandfathered plan” means a health benefit plan that:\n(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\n(2) if the Commissioner adopts regulations as described in § 15–1A–03 of this subtitle, meets the criteria established by the adopted regulations.\n(f) “Group plan” means a small group plan or a large group plan.\n(g) “Health benefit plan” means an individual plan, a small group plan, or a large group plan.\n(h) “Individual plan” means an individual health benefit plan as defined in § 15–1301(o) of this title.\n(i) “Insured individual” means:\n(1) an insured, an enrollee, a subscriber, a participant, a member, or a beneficiary of a health benefit plan; or\n(2) any covered dependent of a health benefit plan.\n(j) “Large group plan” means a health benefit plan as defined in § 15–1401 of this title.\n(k) “Small group plan” means a health benefit plan as defined in § 15–1201 of this title.","path":["Article - Insurance"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gin\u0026section=15-1A-01","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:59:28Z","sha256":"01e4d9ac3b2dd23f73a674a22f02d7073bfa7792bd6e6e6af0a29d9a4f0ff20a","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-insurance-15-147","next":"us-md/md.-code-insurance-15-1a-02"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}