Section 15-135 - Covered benefits for annual preventive care. - Maryland Statutes

§ 15-135. Covered benefits for annual preventive care.
 

(a)  "Annual preventive care" defined.-  

(1) In this section, "annual preventive care" means an annual preventive visit, screening, or examination that is a covered benefit under a policy or contract issued or delivered by an entity subject to this section. 

(2) "Annual preventive care" includes, if the service is a covered benefit: 

(i) an annual child wellness visit; 

(ii) a routine gynecological visit; 

(iii) a screening test or examination for colorectal cancer, chlamydia, human papillomavirus, prostate cancer, or breast cancer; and 

(iv) an annual vision visit that includes a vision examination. 

(b)  Applicability.- This section applies to: 

(1) insurers and nonprofit health service plans that provide hospital, medical, or surgical benefits to individuals or groups on an expense-incurred basis under health insurance policies or contracts that are issued or delivered in the State; and 

(2) health maintenance organizations that provide hospital, medical, or surgical benefits to individuals or groups under contracts that are issued or delivered in the State. 

(c)  Coverage.- An entity subject to this section that provides covered benefits for annual preventive care shall provide coverage for the annual preventive care if: 

(1) the annual preventive care is provided no more than once at any time during the plan year established in the policy or contract; and 

(2) any other requirements for coverage of the annual preventive care are met. 

(d)  Construction.- This section may not be construed to require coverage for a service not otherwise required by law. 
 

[2010, chs. 535, 536.]