• In Maryland, insurers can only offer the standard plan to employers with 2 to 50 eligible employees. This is a policy that has the benefits required by Maryland Insurance Administration regulations. Benefits covered under the standard plan are generally comprehensive, although prescription drug coverage is limited and substantial cost sharing (deductibles and coinsurance) applies. Detailed information about what is covered under the Maryland’s Comprehensive Standard Benefit Plan for Small Businesses can be found at

       http://mhcc.maryland.gov/smallgroup/cshbp_brochure.htm.  

Insurers can offer separate packages of additional benefits (called “benefit riders”) that you can buy along with the standard plan to increase covered benefits or reduce cost sharing.  Some, but not all, of these benefit riders are guaranteed issue to small employers.  Once a benefit rider has been sold, however, it must be guaranteed renewable.  Standardization helps you compare differences in cost and coverage.