HEALTH CLAIMS ARBITRATION OFFICE

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

The Director notifies all affected parties and supplies a list of qualified arbitrators, six from each of three categories:

1) attorneys;
2) health care providers; and
3) persons from the general public who are neither attorneys, health care providers, nor in the employ of insurance interests.

From each of these categories, one mutually agreed upon arbitrator is chosen to sit on a three-person arbitration panel. That panel determines who is liable with respect to the claim and, if a health care provider is liable, considers and assesses damages. The panel decision is final, unless rejected by any party. To reverse or modify the award, the rejecting party must file an appeal with the Circuit Court.

The Director is appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent (Code Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, sec. 3-2A-03).

Maryland Independent Agencies

Maryland Manual On-Line