(a) Sections 27–208 and 27–209 of this subtitle may not be construed to include within the definition of discrimination or rebates any of the practices set forth in this section.
(b) For a contract of life insurance or an annuity contract, it is not discrimination or a rebate to pay bonuses to policyholders or otherwise abate their premiums wholly or partly out of the surplus accumulated from nonparticipating insurance, if the bonuses or abatement of premiums is fair, equitable to, and in the best interest of policyholders.
(c) For policies of life insurance or health insurance issued on the industrial debit, preauthorized check, bank draft, or similar plans, it is not discrimination or a rebate to make an allowance to policyholders who have continuously for a specified period made premium payments directly to an office of the insurer or by preauthorized check, bank draft, or similar plans in an amount that fairly represents the savings in collection expense.
(d) It is not discrimination or a rebate to readjust the rate of premium for a group policy based on the loss or expense experience under the policy, at the end of any policy year, retroactive only for that policy year.
(e) It is not discrimination or a rebate to reduce the premium rate for policies of large amount, if the reduction does not exceed savings in issuance and administrative expenses reasonably attributable to policies of large amount as compared with policies of similar plan issued in smaller amounts.
(f) It is not discrimination or a rebate to issue policies of life insurance or health insurance or annuity contracts on a salary savings or payroll deduction plan or other distribution plan at a reduced rate reasonably commensurate with the savings made by use of the plan.
(g) It is not discrimination or a rebate to issue policies of health insurance that provide for increases in benefits to policyholders who maintain their policies continuously in force without lapse for specified periods.
(h) (1) In this subsection, “wellness program” means a program that:
(i) meets the requirements of a participatory wellness program or a health–contingent wellness program under § 15–509 of this article; and
(ii) is provided as a benefit outside of the health insurance or health maintenance organization contract.
(2) It is not discrimination or a rebate for a carrier to provide reasonable incentives to an individual who is an insured, a subscriber, or a member for participation in a wellness program offered by the carrier.
(3) Any incentive offered for participation in a wellness program:
(i) shall be reasonably related to the wellness program; and
(ii) may not have a value that exceeds any limit established in regulations adopted by the Commissioner.
(4) The Commissioner shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this subsection.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Title 27 - Unfair Trade Practices and Other Prohibited Practices
Subtitle 2 - Unfair Methods of Competition and Unfair and Deceptive Acts or Practices
Section 27-202 - Misrepresentations About Policies
Section 27-203 - False Advertisements About Insurance Business
Section 27-204 - False Statements About Insurers
Section 27-205 - False Statements of Financial Condition of Insurer
Section 27-206 - Boycott, Coercion, and Intimidation
Section 27-207 - Stock and Contracts as Inducement to Insurance
Section 27-208 - Unfair Discrimination -- Life Insurance, Health Insurance, and Annuities
Section 27-209 - Rebates -- Life Insurance, Health Insurance, and Annuities
Section 27-210 - Effect of 27-208 and 27-209 of This Subtitle
Section 27-211 - Use of Insurance as Inducement
Section 27-213 - Twisting Prohibited
Section 27-214 - Coerced or Tie-in Sales
Section 27-215 - Interlocking Ownership or Management
Section 27-216 - Improper Premiums and Charges
Section 27-217 - Group Insurance
Section 27-218 - Burial Insurance Benefits
Section 27-219 - Misrepresentation as Insurer
Section 27-220 - Maryland Children's Health Program
Section 27-221 - Prohibition Against Reunderwriting
Section 27-222 - Violation of 15-112(h) of This Article Prohibited
Section 27-223 - Misleading Use of Senior or Retiree Credential or Designation
Section 27-224 - Compliance With Federal Medicare Marketing Guidelines
Section 27-225 - Prohibition Against Confessed Judgment Clause in Bail Bond Agreements