(a) In this section, “health maintenance organization” means a health maintenance organization under Subtitle 7 of this title.
(b) (1) A health maintenance organization or a health care facility that either controls, directly or indirectly, or is controlled by a health maintenance organization shall have a certificate of need before the health maintenance organization or health care facility builds, develops, operates, purchases, or participates in building, developing, operating, or establishing:
(i) A hospital, as defined in § 19–301 of this title; and
(ii) Any other health care project for which a certificate of need is required under § 19–120 of this subtitle unless at least 90% of the patients who will receive health care services from the project will be individuals enrolled in that health maintenance organization.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection, a health maintenance organization or a health care facility that either controls, directly or indirectly, or is controlled by a health maintenance organization is not required to obtain a certificate of need before purchasing an existing ambulatory surgical facility or center, as defined in § 19–114(b) of this subtitle.
(c) An application for a certificate of need by a health maintenance organization or by a health care facility that either controls, directly or indirectly, or is controlled by, a health maintenance organization shall be approved if the Commission finds that the application:
(1) Documents that the project is necessary to meet the needs of enrolled members and reasonably anticipated new members for the services proposed to be provided by the applicant; and
(2) Is not inconsistent with those sections of the State health plan or those sections of the institution–specific plan that govern hospitals, as defined in § 19–301 of this title, and ambulatory surgical facilities or centers, as defined in § 19–114(b) of this subtitle, or health care projects for which a certificate of need is required under subsection (b)(1)(ii) of this section.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Title 19 - Health Care Facilities
Subtitle 1 - Health Care Planning and Systems Regulation
Part II - Health Planning and Development
Section 19-115 - Duties of Commission in Health Planning and Development
Section 19-116 - Studies of Systems Capacity in Health Services
Section 19-118 - State Health Plan
Section 19-119 - Institution-Specific Plan
Section 19-120 - Certificate of Need -- Health Care Facilities
Section 19-120.1 - Certificate of Conformance
Section 19-121 - Certificate of Need -- Health Maintenance Organizations
Section 19-122 - Certificate of Need -- Domiciliary Care Projects
Section 19-124 - Certificate of Need -- Direct Admissions Into Comprehensive Care Nursing Bed
Section 19-125 - Certificate of Need -- Ambulatory Care Facilities
Section 19-126 - Certificate of Need -- Action on Applications
Section 19-128 - Appeal of Administrative Decision