HB 869 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2025

HB 869, the Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2025, removes the June 30, 2025, expiration date from Maryland's law allowing audio-only telephone conversations to count as telehealth for reimbursement and coverage. The bill requires Maryland's Medicaid program and participating insurers to continue covering and reimbursing audio-only telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person services without time restrictions. This change directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries, health care providers, and private insurers operating in Maryland. The bill does not alter existing requirements that telehealth services must be medically necessary and appropriately delivered.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Jan 30, 2025 Signed May 13, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2025 → Enrolled - Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2025 · 4 edits · May 13, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an Enrolled Bill, adding formal proofreading and presentation to the Governor. Substantively, the definition of telehealth was modified to remove a temporary expiration date (June 30, 2025) for audio-only telephone conversations, making this coverage permanent. Additionally, the bill's structure was reorganized to add new sections regarding telehealth reporting and to repeal a prohibition on prescribing controlled substances for pain via telehealth.

Scope change

The scope of telehealth coverage was expanded by removing the time limit on audio-only services, and the bill's applicability was broadened by reinstating authority for prescribing certain controlled substances for pain treatment through telehealth.

DEFINITION

Removed the temporary expiration date (June 30, 2025) for audio-only telephone conversations to be considered telehealth, making this coverage permanent.

REQUIREMENT

Added a provision allowing health care practitioners to prescribe certain controlled dangerous substances for the treatment of pain through telehealth.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized the bill's structure to add new sections for telehealth reporting and repealed the prohibition on prescribing controlled substances for pain via telehealth.

Added formal proofreading and presentation to the Governor, indicating the bill has passed all legislative stages and is ready for executive action.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 15, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 19, 2025

How they voted

44–1

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 46

Mar 15, 2025

D Democratic33

32 Yea 1

96% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1 Nay

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 13, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 482

executive

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Enrolled

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Introduced

House Concurs Senate Amendments

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

upper

Mar 19, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (138-0-1)

house of delegates

Mar 15, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (44-1-1)

senate

Feb 28, 2025

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Feb 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Feb 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Health and Government Operations

lower

Jan 30, 2025

Committee

First Reading Health and Government Operations

lower

22 primary · 0 co-sponsors