Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 134: Medicare Supplement Policies - Issuance - Requirements

SB 134 requires Maryland insurance carriers to issue Medicare supplement policies (Medigap) to specific eligible individuals without denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on health status. It directly affects: (1) people transitioning from Maryland Medicaid to Medicare Part B, (2) individuals who became Medicare-eligible before January 2020, and (3) disabled people under 65 who qualify for Medicare. Key provisions mandate that carriers must sell these policies during defined 63-day enrollment periods following Medicaid disenrollment or qualifying events, and prohibit health-based pricing or denial for plans A and D. The law also requires carriers to offer comparable or lower-benefit plans during birthday renewals starting July 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to issue Medigap without health-based denial or premium hikes, expanding coverage access for vulnerable Medicare-eligible groups transitioning from Medicaid or with disabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 385: Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act)

SB 385 (The Vax Act) requires Maryland’s Secretary of Health to issue evidence-based recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive services, aligning with guidance from major medical organizations like the CDC and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. It expands pharmacists’ authority to administer vaccines (including those recommended by CDC or the Secretary) to patients aged 3+ after completing specific training and certification, while mandating health insurers to cover these services without cost-sharing. The bill also repeals outdated pertussis-related provisions and updates reporting requirements for pharmacists. This directly affects pharmacists, health insurers, and patients seeking preventive care, aiming to improve access to vaccinations and screenings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for preventive services and expands pharmacist vaccine administration, increasing access and coverage - clear support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care Public Health

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 616: Health Services Cost Review Commission – Health Facilities – Jurisdiction and Rate Setting

HB 616 requires Maryland's Health Services Cost Review Commission to consider all operational costs when reviewing hospital rates, including expenses for hiring physicians or other providers without corresponding billing revenue. It updates disclosure rules, mandating hospitals publicly report their financial positions and verified costs for health services. The Commission must ensure rates reflect all facility costs to confirm reasonableness and prevent excessive charges. This directly affects hospitals and the Commission by changing how rates are evaluated under Maryland's healthcare cost-review system.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates hospitals disclose full costs and prevents excessive charges by requiring Commission to consider all operational expenses, protecting patients from unreasonable costs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 632: Certificate of Need - Psychiatric Health Care Facilities and Psychiatric and Mental Health Services - Exemption

HB 632 removes psychiatry and all subcategories of psychiatric services from the definition of "medical service" requiring a Certificate of Need (CON) in Maryland. This exempts psychiatric health care facilities and providers of psychiatric or mental health services from needing state approval before establishing or operating these services. The bill amends Maryland law by deleting "psychiatry" from the list of medical services subject to CON requirements, which currently includes services like surgery, pediatrics, and rehabilitation. This change directly affects psychiatric hospitals, clinics, and mental health programs seeking to expand or open without prior state review. The policy shift simplifies regulatory requirements for mental health service providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves Certificate of Need requirement for psychiatric services, reducing regulatory barriers and improving access to mental health care in Maryland.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 348: Hospitals and Freestanding Birthing Centers - High-Risk Pregnancies - Communication After Discharge

SB 348 requires hospitals and freestanding birthing centers in Maryland to provide specific postpartum support to individuals who have experienced high-risk pregnancies. It mandates that facilities complete referral forms for local health departments, provide resources about postpartum complications (including cardiovascular conditions, chronic disease, substance misuse, and mental health), and call birthing parents 24 to 72 hours after discharge to assess their status. The bill also requires annual reports from health departments detailing referrals made through this process. These provisions apply to all facilities delivering newborns following high-risk pregnancies and take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates postpartum support, mental health resources, and follow-up calls for high-risk pregnancies - expands patient access and protection in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Women's Health

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 14: Health Insurance - Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Enrollment - Effective Dates

SB 14 adjusts when health coverage becomes effective for small businesses using Maryland's SHOP Exchange during specific special enrollment periods. It allows SHOP Exchanges to set coverage start dates based on when plan selections are received: the first day of the following month if received by the 15th, or the second month if received after the 15th. This applies to enrollments triggered by court-ordered dependents (like child support), death of an employee or dependent, or divorce/legal separation. The bill directly affects small employers and their employees/dependents who qualify for these special enrollment scenarios under Maryland's SHOP program. It takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdjusts enrollment timing to allow faster coverage start for small businesses during special enrollment periods, improving access to health insurance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Tags Small Business

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 6: Public Institutions of Higher Education - Pregnant and Parenting Students - Plan and Reporting

HB 6 requires Maryland's public colleges and universities to collect and report data on students' parental status, including whether they are parents, guardians, or caregivers of children. Public institutions must adopt a plan by October 2026 that provides referrals to government assistance programs (like WIC, child care scholarships, and Medicaid), campus accommodations, and health services for pregnant and parenting students. The Maryland Higher Education Commission will collect this data annually starting in 2027 and submit reports to legislative committees. This bill directly affects all students enrolled at Maryland's public higher education institutions (including University System schools, Morgan State, and St. Mary’s College) who are pregnant or parenting.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates data collection and support plans for pregnant/parenting students, including referrals to childcare, health services, and campus accommodations to enhance educational access and retention at public colleges.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates referrals to Medicaid and health services for pregnant/student parents, improving access to healthcare programs and aligning with support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Medicaid

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 276: Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Coverage for Orthoses and Prostheses (So Every Body Can Move Act)

SB 276, the "So Every Body Can Move Act," requires Maryland’s Medicaid program (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and certain health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and HMOs to cover orthoses (custom braces or supports for musculoskeletal conditions) starting January 1, 2027. It mandates coverage for the devices themselves, components, repairs, and replacements without lifetime limits if a treating provider deems them medically necessary for daily living or work activities. Insurers must follow Medicare’s medical necessity standards and cannot impose higher copays or separate annual dollar limits for this coverage. The bill directly affects Medicaid enrollees and private insurance plan members needing orthotic devices, ensuring broader access to these essential medical supports.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid and insurers to cover orthoses/prostheses without lifetime limits, expanding access to essential medical devices for daily living and work activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Medicare

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 444: Certificate of Need - Intermediate Health Care Facilities

SB 444 repeals an exemption that previously allowed intermediate care facilities offering substance use disorder treatment to change bed capacity without a certificate of need. It creates a new exemption for facilities providing *medically managed residential substance use disorder treatment services*, removing the requirement for a certificate of need if they submit 45 days' written notice to the Commission and the Commission determines the change aligns with the state health plan, improves service efficiency, and serves the public interest. This bill directly affects intermediate care facilities focused on substance use disorder treatment by reducing regulatory barriers for expanding bed capacity or establishing new facilities. The key mechanism is replacing a certificate of need with a streamlined notice-and-review process administered by the Commission. (SB 444, "Certificate of Need - Intermediate Health Care Facilities," 2026)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves CON requirement for substance use disorder treatment facilities, improving access to mental health services by streamlining expansion processes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 440: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - Provider Reimbursement

HB 440 requires Maryland's Department of Health to create a new reimbursement system for Medicaid providers serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The system would allow higher payment rates for qualifying services, include recurring adjustments to support provider access and service quality, and prioritize rate increases for services needing extra time, communication support, or specialized training. However, the bill only takes effect if federal funds become available by December 31, 2036, under the Health Equity for Adults with Disabilities Act or similar programs; otherwise, it becomes void. If federal funding is secured, the new reimbursement structure would begin on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rates for IDD providers, improving access to services and prioritizing specialized care through higher payment rates and recurring adjustments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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