Maryland Code, Insurance § 15-839

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

(2) “Body mass index” means a practical marker that is used to assess the degree of obesity and is calculated by dividing the weight in kilograms by the height in meters squared.

(3) “Morbid obesity” means a body mass index that is:

(1) 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;

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

(3) managed care organizations, as defined in § 15-101 of the Health-General Article.

(1) recognized by the National Institutes of Health as effective for the long-term reversal of morbid obesity; and

(2) consistent with guidelines approved by the National Institutes of Health.