Md. Code Regs. 31.10.06.03
Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 24, December 2, 2024
Section 31.10.06.03 - Policy Definitions and TermsA. A policy or certificate may not be advertised, solicited, or issued for delivery in this State as a Medicare supplement policy or certificate unless the policy or certificate contains definitions or terms which conform to the requirements of these regulations.B. Policy Terms Defined. (1) Accident. (a) "Accident", "accidental injury", or "accidental means" shall be defined to employ "result" language.(b) "Accident", "accidental injury", or "accidental means" does not include words which establish an accidental means test or use words such as "external, violent, visible wounds" or similar words of description or characterization.(c) The definition may not be more restrictive than the following: "Injury or injuries for which benefits are provided means accidental bodily injury sustained by the insured person which is the direct result of an accident, independent of disease or bodily infirmity or any other cause, and occurs while insurance coverage is in force."(d) The definition may provide that injuries not include injuries for which benefits are provided or available under any workers' compensation, employer's liability or similar law, or motor vehicle no-fault plan, unless prohibited by law.(2) "Benefit period" or "Medicare benefit period" may not be defined more restrictively than as defined in the Medicare program.(3) "Convalescent nursing home", "extended care facility", or "skilled nursing facility" may not be defined more restrictively than as defined in the Medicare program.(4) "Health care expenses" means, for the purposes of Regulation .11 of this chapter, expenses of health maintenance organizations associated with the delivery of health care services, which expenses are analogous to incurred losses of insurers.(5) "Hospital" may be defined in relation to its status, facilities, and available services or to reflect its accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals, but not more restrictively than as defined in the Medicare program.(6) "Medicare" shall be defined in the policy and certificate. Medicare may be substantially defined as "The Health Insurance for the Aged Act, Title XVIII of the Social Security Amendments of 1965 as then constituted or later amended", or "Title I, Part I of Public Law 89-97, as Enacted by the Eighty-Ninth Congress of the United States and popularly known as the Health Insurance for the Aged Act, as then constituted and any later amendments or substitutes of it" or words of similar import.(7) "Medicare eligible expenses" means expenses of the kinds covered by Medicare Parts A and B, to the extent recognized as reasonable and medically necessary by Medicare.C. Restrictions on Policy Definitions. (1) "Physician" may not be defined more restrictively than as defined in the Medicare program.(2) Sickness. (a) "Sickness" may not be defined to be more restrictive than the following: Sickness means illness or disease of an insured person which first manifests itself after the effective date of insurance and while the insurance is in force.(b) This definition may be further modified to exclude sicknesses or diseases for which benefits are provided under any workers' compensation, occupational disease, employer's liability, or similar law.Md. Code Regs. 31.10.06.03
Regulations .03 adopted as an emergency provision effective July 14, 1992 (19:16 Md. R. 1466); adopted permanently effective August 3, 1992 (19:15 Md. R. 1389)
Regulation .03 amended as an emergency provision effective January 1, 1999 (26:1 Md. R. 18); amended permanently effective March 22, 1999 (26:6 Md. R. 489)