§15–856.    IN EFFECT

    // EFFECTIVE UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2022 PER CHAPTERS 29 AND 31 OF 2021 SPECIAL SESSION //

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

        (2)    “COVID–19” means, interchangeably and collectively, the coronavirus known as COVID–19 or 2019–nCoV and the SARS–CoV–2 virus.

        (3)    (i)    “COVID–19 test” means an in vitro diagnostic test for the detection of SARS–CoV–2 or the diagnosis of the virus that causes COVID–19, as described in § 3201 of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

            (ii)    “COVID–19 test” includes a federal Food and Drug Administration–approved, cleared, or authorized rapid point–of–care test and an at–home collection test for the detection or diagnosis of COVID–19.

        (4)    “Health benefit plan”:

            (i)    for a small employer plan, has the meaning stated in § 15–1201 of this title; and

            (ii)    for an individual plan, has the meaning stated in § 15–1301 of this title.

        (5)    (i)    “Member” means an individual entitled to health care benefits under a policy issued or delivered in the State by an entity subject to this section.

            (ii)    “Member” includes a subscriber.

    (b)    (1)    This section applies to:

            (i)    insurers and nonprofit health service plans that provide hospital, medical, or surgical benefits to individuals or groups on an expense–incurred basis under health insurance policies or contracts that are issued or delivered in the State; and

            (ii)    health maintenance organizations that provide hospital, medical, or surgical benefits to individuals or groups under contracts that are issued or delivered in the State.

        (2)    This section applies to each individual and small employer health benefit plan that is issued or delivered in the State by an insurer, a nonprofit health service plan, or a health maintenance organization, irrespective of §§ 15–1207(d) and 31–116 of this article.

    (c)    An entity subject to this section shall provide coverage for COVID–19 tests and related items and services for the administration of COVID–19 tests, including facility fees, health care practitioner fees, and evaluation of the member for purposes of determining the need for the COVID–19 test, as required by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and any applicable federal regulations or guidance.

    (d)    An entity subject to this section may not apply a copayment, coinsurance requirement, or deductible to coverage for COVID–19 tests and related items and services for the administration of COVID–19 tests.