Bill > HB443

This bill, the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Act of 2012, makes several changes to Maryland's insurance laws to align with the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). Key provisions include requiring the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (the Exchange) to offer qualified dental and vision plans alongside qualified health plans, establishing navigator programs to assist individuals and small employers in enrolling in these plans, and outlining specific rules for carriers offering health benefit plans. The bill also clarifies definitions related to the Exchange, such as "qualified plan" which now includes qualified dental and vision plans, and introduces new terms like "coverage level" and "state benchmark plan." It also mandates that the Board of Trustees of the Exchange submit proposed regulations to legislative committees for review under certain circumstances and requires studies on various aspects of the Exchange's operation, including its financing, structure, and market integration.