§ 15-1703
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/md/insurance/15-1703A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
§15–1703.
(a)A carrier that uses a physician rating system shall:
(1)establish an appeals process for physicians to use to contest their rating; and
(2)at least 45 days before making available to enrollees any new or revised quality of performance or cost–efficiency evaluations or any new or revised inclusions or exclusions from a physician rating system, provide each physician included in the physician rating system with:
(i)a notice of the proposed change;
(ii)an explanation of the data used to assess the physician and how the physician may access the data;
(iii)the methodology and measures used to assess the physician;
(iv)an explanation of the right to contest the rating of the physician through the appeals process of the carrier; and
(v)instructions on how to file a timely appeal with the carrier.
(b)If a physician files a timely appeal, as defined by the carrier, regarding the rating of the physician under a physician rating system, the carrier may not disclose the rating of the physician or make a change in the quality of performance or cost–efficiency ratings of the physician until the carrier completes its investigation and renders a decision on the appeal.
(c)A carrier shall post the following information prominently on the section of the carrier’s Web site that discloses the rating of a physician to enrollees or to the public:
(1)where an enrollee can find the physician performance ratings of the carrier;
(2)a disclosure that physician performance ratings are only a guide to choosing a physician because the ratings have a risk of error and should not be the sole basis for selecting a physician;
(3)an explanation of the physician rating system, including the basis on which physician performance is measured and the basis for determining that a physician is not currently rated due to insufficient data or a pending appeal;
(4)any limitations of the data that the carrier uses to measure physician performance;
(5)the factors and criteria used in the carrier’s physician rating system, including quality of performance measures and cost efficiency measures; and
(6)how a physician may appeal a physician rating.