Healthcare (Medicaid)

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 839: Medical Assistance Programs - Drug Dispensing - Cost-of-Dispensing Survey

SB 839 requires Maryland's Department of Health to conduct a survey of pharmacy dispensing costs in the state every three years starting in 2026. Within six months after each survey, the Department must establish a fee charged to pharmacies for dispensing drugs under the state's Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid). This fee will be based directly on the survey results, aiming to reflect actual dispensing costs. The bill applies specifically to pharmacies participating in Maryland's Medicaid program and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures Medicaid pharmacy fees reflect actual dispensing costs, preventing underfunding that could reduce pharmacy participation and access to care.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Prescription Drugs

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1117: Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Council and the Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism-Related Needs - Recommendations for Elopement Response Devices

HB 1117 requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and certain insurers to cover approved "elopement response devices" for specific individuals. These devices - such as door sensors, wearable location trackers, or alert systems - prevent people with cognitive, developmental, or neurological conditions from wandering unsafely (e.g., leaving a supervised area without the ability to return safely). Coverage is mandated when ordered by a qualified healthcare provider and documented in a qualifying plan (like an individualized education plan or dementia care plan) for eligible recipients: those under 21 with early screening eligibility, on home-based waiver programs, or diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/dementia. The bill defines these devices as medical equipment or assistive technology under state programs, ensuring coverage without regard to when the program was established.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid/insurers to cover medical devices for cognitive condition management, expanding patient access to necessary health services per provider orders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 1114: HIV Prevention Drugs - Prescribing, Dispensing, and Insurance Coverage

HB 1114 allows pharmacists to prescribe and dispense HIV prevention drugs (PrEP) to patients under specific guidelines, expanding access beyond traditional doctor visits. It requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance Program) to cover FDA-approved HIV prevention drugs, including PrEP and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), starting January 1, 2027. The bill also prohibits insurers and managed care organizations from requiring prior authorization, step therapy, or cost-sharing for these medications. This directly affects pharmacists, Medicaid recipients, and health insurers by removing financial and administrative barriers to HIV prevention care. The policy aligns with CDC guidelines for PrEP and PEP use, ensuring coverage for medically appropriate HIV prevention drugs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access via pharmacists, mandates Medicaid coverage, and removes cost barriers for HIV prevention drugs, directly improving patient access and insurance coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 31, 2026

SB 898: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Behavior Technicians - Reimbursement

SB 898 requires Maryland’s Medical Assistance Program to reimburse applied behavior analysis (ABA) services provided by registered behavior technicians (RBTs) to Medicaid recipients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The bill prohibits the state health department from mandating a specific certification (e.g., from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board) as a condition for reimbursement, except for a 150-day transition period during which RBTs must obtain certification. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries with autism and RBTs who deliver ABA services under supervision of certified professionals, streamlining access to care without immediate certification barriers. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies prospectively only.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicaid reimbursement for ABA therapy via RBTs, expanding autism treatment access without restrictive certification mandates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

signed · Maryland · Senate May 31, 2026

SB 496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization

SB 496 would authorize Maryland's Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid) to cover comprehensive obesity treatment starting January 1, 2027. This includes intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved weight management medications for eligible Medicaid recipients. The bill requires the Department of Health to notify program recipients if it chooses to implement this coverage and mandates a report to legislative committees by November 2027 on whether coverage has begun. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, but coverage for obesity treatment becomes available the following year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands Medicaid coverage requiring state budget allocation for essential healthcare services, aligning with funding public programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment including behavioral therapy and surgery, improving patient access to comprehensive care under healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 1384: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - State Pharmacy Benefits Manager

HB 1384 requires Maryland’s Department of Health to select and contract with a single State Pharmacy Benefits Manager (SPBM) by July 1, 2028. This SPBM will administer pharmacy benefits for all Medicaid recipients, including those enrolled in managed care plans, which must contract with and use the SPBM for all pharmacy services after that date. The bill prohibits "spread pricing" (where managers profit from price differences between pharmacies and the program) and mandates transparent pricing for drug costs, rebates, and fees. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries, managed care organizations, and pharmacies by centralizing pharmacy benefit management under state oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires single SPBM for Medicaid pharmacy benefits, bans spread pricing to ensure cost efficiency and transparency, strengthening program access and affordability for beneficiaries.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Prescription Drugs

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1376: Maryland Medical Assistance Program, Maryland Children's Health Program, and Health Insurance - Transfers to Special Pediatric Hospitals - Requirements

HB 1376 requires Maryland's Medicaid (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and Children's Health Program to provide a review within 3 business days for transfer requests to special pediatric hospitals when requested by the hospital or referring provider. It mandates retrospective reviews if a transfer is denied as "not medically necessary," with providers reimbursed for "administrative days" (days a patient remains without transfer) during the review process. The bill directly affects special pediatric hospitals - facilities serving children under 22 or those 2+ years old with co-occurring physical/behavioral health conditions - and their referring providers. Key provisions include eliminating prior authorization requirements for transfers while establishing strict timelines and reimbursement for administrative delays during appeals. This bill updates existing Medicaid and insurance rules to streamline transfers to specialized pediatric care facilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates timely reviews and reimbursement for delays in pediatric hospital transfers within Medicaid programs, improving access to specialized care and protecting patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Hospitals Medicaid

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1129: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Provider Agencies - Wages and Leave for Personal Care Aides

HB 1129 requires provider agencies that contract with Maryland's Medicaid program (specifically for services like Community First Choice and Community Personal Assistance) to pay personal care aides a minimum wage of $17 per hour and provide written wage notices. It mandates these agencies to offer 24 hours of paid sick leave annually (or upon hire) and additional paid leave at a rate of 1 hour per 30 hours worked after 720 hours in a year. The Maryland Department of Health can enforce compliance through corrective plans, program suspension, or termination for noncompliance. This bill directly affects personal care aides employed by Medicaid-reimbursed agencies, aiming to improve their compensation and leave benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires $17/hour wage and paid leave for Medicaid personal care aides, improving workforce stability and access to healthcare services under public health programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentSets $17/hr minimum wage and mandates paid sick/leave benefits for personal care aides under Medicaid contracts, directly advancing worker compensation and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Minimum Wage Paid Leave

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1470: Medical Assistance Programs - Drug Dispensing - Cost-of-Dispensing Survey

HB 1470 requires Maryland's Department of Health to conduct an in-state cost-of-dispensing survey for Medicaid drugs at least once every three years, starting in 2026. Within six months after each survey, the Department must set a fee-for-service reimbursement rate for pharmacists dispensing Medicaid-covered drugs based on the survey results. This directly affects pharmacies participating in Maryland's Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid), as the new fee structure will determine their reimbursement for drug dispensing services. The bill establishes a regular, data-driven process to update these fees, ensuring they reflect actual dispensing costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicaid drug reimbursement rates based on cost surveys, ensuring pharmacy participation in Medical Assistance Program and supporting patient access to medications.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 772: Maryland Department of Health - Employment Training and Opportunity Database

SB 772 requires the Maryland Department of Health to create and maintain a public database of employment training and job placement programs. The database will help residents find opportunities that can lead to eligibility for Medicaid (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), including program details, application steps, and direct contact options. The Department must update the database every 30 days and assist individuals in enrolling in listed programs. Other state agencies, including the Department of Labor and Department of Human Services, must recommend programs for inclusion. This bill directly affects Maryland residents seeking to improve employment prospects while maintaining access to critical health and nutrition benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates database connecting job training to Medicaid/SNAP eligibility, improving access to healthcare coverage programs by streamlining enrollment pathways.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates database linking job training programs to Medicaid/SNAP eligibility, enhancing access to employment resources and benefits under Labor & Employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Workforce Development