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§ 19-705.2. Receipt and investigation of complaints, complaint system

West's Annotated Code of MarylandHealth--General

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Health--General
Title 19. Health Care Facilities (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 7. Health Maintenance Organizations (Refs & Annos)
MD Code, Health - General, § 19-705.2
§ 19-705.2. Receipt and investigation of complaints, complaint system
Regulations
(a) With the advice of the Secretary, the Commissioner shall adopt regulations to establish a system for the receipt and timely investigation of complaints of members and subscribers of health maintenance organizations concerning the operation of any health maintenance organization in this State.
Complaint system requirements
(b) The complaint system shall include:
(1) A procedure for the timely acknowledgment of receipt of a complaint;
(2) Criteria that the Secretary shall adopt by regulation for determining the appropriate level of investigation for a complaint concerning quality of care, including:
(i) A determination as to whether the member or subscriber with the complaint previously attempted to have the complaint resolved; and
(ii) A determination as to whether a complaint should be sent to the member's or subscriber's health maintenance organization for resolution prior to investigation under the provisions of this section; and
(3) A procedure for the referral of quality of care complaints to the Secretary for an appropriate investigation.
Reasons for determination to investigate
(c) If a determination is made to investigate a complaint under the provisions of this section prior to the member or subscriber attempting to otherwise resolve the complaint, the reasons for that determination shall be documented.
Notice of complaint system
(d) Notice of the complaint system established under the provisions of this section shall be included in all contracts between a health maintenance organization and a member or subscriber of a health maintenance organization.
Results and findings of investigations
(e) For quality of care complaints referred to the Secretary for investigation under subsection (b)(3) of this section, the Secretary shall report to the Commissioner in a timely manner on the results and findings of each investigation.

Credits

Added by Acts 1988, c. 388, § 1, eff. July 1, 1988. Amended by Acts 1998, c. 111, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999; Acts 1998, c. 112, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, c. 697, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1999.
MD Code, Health - General, § 19-705.2, MD HEALTH GEN § 19-705.2
Current through legislation effective through April 25, 2024, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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