(a) In this section, “health maintenance organization” or “HMO” includes any agent of a health maintenance organization.

(b) (1) A health maintenance organization that issues a request for proposal, including changes in terms to an existing contract to provide pharmaceutical services, shall notify the Maryland Pharmacists Association of the request for proposal to provide pharmaceutical services within 10 days after issuing that request.

(2) The Maryland Pharmacists Association may inform licensed pharmacists of the request.

(c) A health maintenance organization may not charge a fee for processing or accepting an application to provide pharmaceutical services.

(d) This section does not apply to a health maintenance organization if the health maintenance organization provides pharmaceutical services from a pharmacy that is:

(1) Located on the site of the health maintenance organization; and

(2) Wholly owned and operated by the health maintenance organization.