(a) (1) A hospital shall be classified:
(i) As a general hospital if the hospital at least has the facilities and provides the services that are necessary for the general medical and surgical care of patients;
(ii) As a special hospital if the hospital:
1. Defines a program of specialized services, such as obstetrics, mental health, tuberculosis, orthopedy, chronic disease, or communicable disease;
2. Admits only patients with medical or surgical needs within the program; and
3. Has the facilities for and provides those specialized services;
(iii) As a special rehabilitation hospital if the hospital meets the requirements of this subtitle and Subtitle 12 of this title; or
(iv) As a limited service hospital if the health care facility:
1. Is licensed as a hospital on or after January 1, 1999;
2. Changes the type or scope of services offered by eliminating the capability to admit or retain individuals for overnight hospitalization;
3. Retains an emergency or urgent care center; and
4. Complies with the regulations adopted by the Secretary under § 19-307.1 of this subtitle.
(2) The Secretary may set, by rule or regulation, other reasonable classifications for hospitals.
(b) A related institution shall be classified:
(1) As a care home if the related institution provides care to individuals who, because of advanced age or physical or mental disability, require domiciliary care or personal care in a protective environment; or
(2) As a nursing home if the related institution:
(i) Provides nursing care for chronically ill or convalescent patients; or
(ii) Offers to provide 24-hour a day nursing care of patients in a home-type facility such as:
1. A convalescent home;
2. A nursing unit of a home for the aged;
3. A psychiatric nursing home;
4. A nursing facility for individuals with disabilities;
5. A home for alcoholics; or
6. A halfway house.