Maryland Manual On-Line - www.mdmanual.net

MARYLAND HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS


The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of March 2010 requires each State to establish a health benefit exchange by January 1, 2014. Further, each State is mandated to have the governance and structure of its health benefit exchange in place by March 2012. In June 2011, the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange was created as a public corporation and an independent unit of State government (Chapters 1 & 2, Acts of 2011; Code Insurance Article, secs. 31-101 through 31-111).

The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange was created to meet federal requirements, and to reduce the number of Maryland residents who have no health insurance. To provide Marylanders with high quality, affordable private health plans at competitive prices, the Exchange will facilitate the purchase and sale of qualified health plans in the individual insurance market; assist qualified employers in enrolling their employees in qualified health plans in the small group market; and administer tax credits for individuals and small businesses. Also, the Exchange must operate a toll-free hotline; maintain a website with comprehensive information on qualified health plans; provide an electronic calculator that can compute the actual cost of coverage, factoring in all variables, such as tax credits and cost-sharing; and establish a Navigator program that provides grants to entities assisting consumers.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange is governed by a nine-member Board of Trustees. Six of the Board's members are appointed by the Governor to four-year terms, and three serve ex officio. With the approval of the Governor, the Board appoints the Executive Director (Code Insurance Article, secs. 3-104, 3-105).

On December 23, 2011, the Board of Trustees of the Exchange submitted recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on the potential structure and functions of the Exchange.

Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Departments
Maryland Independent Agencies
Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards
Maryland Universities & Colleges
Maryland Counties
Maryland Municipalities
Maryland at a Glance


Maryland Manual On-Line

Search the Manual
e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us

© Copyright Maryland State Archives