Sec. 10.09.38.01. Definitions

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) "Department" means the Maryland Department of Health.

(2) "Dietitian or nutritionist" means an individual who:

(a) Meets the licensing requirements in Regulation .02D of this chapter;

(b) Meets the conditions of participation in Regulation .03A and D of this chapter; and

(c) Has a provider agreement with the Department as a Program provider of dietary and nutrition services.

(3) "Enriched maternity service" means direct counseling, educational, case coordination, and referral services provided to a pregnant or postpartum recipient by or under the supervision of a physician or nurse midwife in conjunction with the clinical services provided by the physician or nurse midwife during the prenatal or postpartum visit.

(4) "Family support center" means a community-based and operated center which provides parenting education, health education, child development assessment services, education and job skill development services, and social support services to families.

(5) "Healthy Start High-Risk Nutrition Instrument" means the form designated by the Department for the purpose of identifying pregnant participants in need of high-risk nutrition counseling services.

(6) "Healthy Start Prenatal Risk Assessment Instrument" means the form furnished by the Department to the provider for the purposes of documenting the results of the prenatal risk assessment and developing the participant's plan of care.

(7) "Healthy Start Program" means a program designed to identify and address medical, nutritional, and psychosocial predictors of poor birth outcomes and poor child health by providing enhanced prenatal and postpartum services to pregnant and postpartum recipients.

(8) "High-risk nutrition counseling services" means educational services provided to nutritionally high-risk pregnant participants by a dietitian or nutritionist.

(9) "Local health department" means the local agency responsible for ensuring the availability of basic public health services in each local jurisdiction, and for administering and enforcing certain State and local health laws and regulations.

(10) "Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant" means funds allotted by the federal government under Title V of the Social Security Act.

(11) "Medical Assistance Program" means a program of comprehensive medical and other health-related care for indigent and medically indigent persons.

(12) "Nurse" means an individual who is licensed as a registered nurse in the state in which services are provided.

(13) "Nurse midwife" means an individual who:

(a) Meets the licensing requirements of Regulation .02A of this chapter;

(b) Meets the conditions of participation in Regulation .03A-C of this chapter; and

(c) Has a provider agreement with the Department as a Program provider of nurse midwife services.

(14) "Participant" means a pregnant or postpartum recipient who:

(a) Enters the Healthy Start Program during a medically verified pregnancy, or up to 60 days after delivery;

(b) May continue in the program receiving postpartum family planning services up to 60 days after the delivery; and

(c) Elects to receive the services available under these regulations.

(15) "Physician" means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy who:

(a) Is licensed to practice medicine in the state in which services are provided;

(b) Has a provider agreement with the Department as a Program provider of physician services; and

(c) Meets the conditions of participation in Regulation .03A-C of this chapter.

(16) "Program" means the Maryland Medical Assistance Program.

(17) "Provider" means a qualified provider of services under the Healthy Start Program who meets the conditions of participation in Regulation .03 of this chapter.

(18) "Provider agreement" means a contract between the Department and the provider.

(19) "Recipient" means an individual who is certified for and is receiving Medical Assistance benefits.

(20) "Risk assessment-plan of care" means a package of services provided to a pregnant participant by or under the supervision of a physician or nurse midwife in conjunction with the clinical services provided by the physician or nurse midwife, to include:

(a) A comprehensive risk assessment appraising the participant's medical history and current health, nutritional, psychological, and social status; and

(b) An individualized plan of care developed by the provider in consultation with the participant.

(21) "Social worker" means a person who is licensed as a social worker in the state in which services are provided.

(22) "Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)" means the federally funded program authorized under an amendment to the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (PL 94-105) to provide supplemental foods and nutrition education to pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and young children from families with low incomes who are at risk by reason of inadequate nutrition or health care.

(23) "Tertiary care maternity center" means a facility with all necessary equipment and personnel specifically trained to care for high-risk obstetrical patients and with the capability to perform all necessary tests and obstetrical procedures 24 hours a day.