Maryland insurance administration offers guidelines for 'boutique' medical practices

Although some physicians who do not accept health insurance could be considered insurance providers, many "boutique" or "concierge" practices can avoid being regulated by state insurance administrators by following market-value guidelines for services they provide and by going over their contracts with the Maryland Insurance Administration, according to findings issued by the agency. The report was prompted by the insurance administration's concerns about some doctors' switching their business models to charge patients an annual, flat fee for services, rather than continue to accept health insurance.