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MARYLAND HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS


In 2002, the Maryland Health Insurance Plan was created as an independent unit within the Maryland Insurance Administration (Chapter 153, Acts of 2002). It reorganized as an independent agency in October 2008 (Chapter 259, Acts of 2008; Code Insurance Article, secs. 14-501 through 14-515).

For Maryland residents who do not have access to health insurance or are deemed medically uninsurable, the Maryland Health Insurance Plan contracts with a third-party administrator to provide health insurance. To Maryland Health Insurance Plan members with limited incomes, discounted premiums and some cost-sharing are available.

The Plan also oversees administration of State pharmaceutical assistance through the Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program. To low- and middle-income Maryland senior citizens, the Program allots subsidies that reduce copayments under the federal Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (Code Insurance Article, secs. 14-510 through 14-515).

In 2010, the Maryland Health Insurance Plan additionally was made responsible for the federal temporary high-risk pool program in Maryland (Chapter 173, Acts of 2010). Under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), the program makes available affordable health insurance to uninsured individuals with preexisting conditions. This federally funded program continues until 2014. Then, health insurance will be made available through insurance exchanges.

Subscriber premiums, and an assessment on hospital net patient revenues fund the Plan.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Maryland Health Insurance Plan is subject to the supervision and control of its ten-member Board of Directors, which was created in 2002. After adapting a plan of operation for the Maryland Health Insurance Plan, the Board submits it, as well as any subsequent amendments, to the Maryland Insurance Commissioner for approval.

The Board of Directors appoints the Executive Director of the Maryland Health Insurance Plan (Chapter 153, 2002; Chapter 259, Acts of 2008; Code Insurance Article, sec. 14-503).

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