Healthcare (Insurance)

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 19, 2026

HB 739: Health Insurance - Prompt Payment of Claims - Requirements

HB 739 requires health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and HMOs to pay or clearly explain claim refusals within 30 days of receiving a claim. It mandates that insurers provide specific, detailed notices when denying payment (including exact missing information) and treats any refusal as an official denial. The bill also limits fees for electronic payments (e.g., credit card) by requiring advance notice to providers and offering fee-free alternatives, while extending the time providers have to submit claims (180 days) and appeal denials (90 days). This directly affects insurers and providers by standardizing payment timelines and reducing opaque claim denials.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates timely insurer payments and clear denial explanations, improving provider access and reducing claim disputes in healthcare insurance processing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 19, 2026

HB 865: Health Insurance - Remittance Advice - Interest on Late-Paid Claims

HB 865 requires health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to provide clear remittance advice that separately identifies and itemizes interest owed on late-paid claims. Specifically, it mandates that interest rates apply at 1.5% for claims unpaid 31-60 days, 2% for 61-120 days, and 2.5% after 120 days. This interest is automatically included in the reimbursement payment without requiring claim filers to submit additional claims for the interest. The bill directly affects insurers and the healthcare providers or patients who file claims, ensuring transparency in late-payment calculations. It takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers pay interest on late claims, ensuring timely reimbursement for healthcare providers and strengthening financial stability in healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 699: Health Insurance - Physical Therapy - Copayments, Coinsurance, and Deductibles

SB 699 prohibits health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and HMOs in Maryland from charging patients more for covered physical therapy services than they charge for an annual physical or wellness visit under the same health plan. The bill requires these entities to clearly state all coverage rules, limits, and exclusions for physical therapy in their plan documents. It applies to all individual, group, and blanket health insurance policies issued in Maryland, effective January 1, 2027. This policy change directly affects health plan providers and ensures consistent cost-sharing for physical therapy compared to routine wellness visits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents higher copays for physical therapy vs. annual visits, aligns coverage costs, improves patient access to covered services per bill's explicit prohibitions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 551: Health Insurance - Ovarian Cancer Prevention With Salpingectomy - Required Coverage and Prohibited Cost Sharing

This bill requires health insurers and health plans in Maryland to cover salpingectomy (surgery to remove fallopian tubes) specifically for ovarian cancer prevention as a standard benefit, with no out-of-pocket costs like copays or deductibles for patients. It applies to all health insurance policies issued in Maryland after January 1, 2027, directly affecting women who might choose this preventive surgery and the insurers providing coverage. The key provision bans cost-sharing for this procedure, except when an individual is enrolled in a high-deductible health plan meeting federal criteria. This ensures access to a proven preventive measure without financial barriers for most patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates full insurance coverage for ovarian cancer prevention surgery, eliminating patient cost-sharing and expanding access to preventive care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 808: Health Insurance - Provider Panels - Requirements

SB 808 amends Maryland's health insurance laws to change how health insurance carriers manage provider panels. It eliminates application fees carriers can charge providers, requires carriers to send specific notices to providers within set timeframes, and mandates more frequent updates to provider directories. The bill also expands the types of providers carriers cannot restrict on panels and updates rules for multi-carrier online directory systems. These changes directly affect health insurance carriers and healthcare providers seeking to join insurance networks.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates provider application fees, mandates timely notices/directory updates, and expands non-restricted provider types - improving access and transparency in health insurance coverage.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 891: Health, Health Insurance, and Health Occupations - Perinatal Behavioral Health Conditions

SB 891 requires health insurance companies in Maryland to provide pregnant individuals and those up to one year postpartum with a standing referral to a mental health provider without needing a new authorization each time. It also mandates coverage for perinatal mental health screenings during pregnancy and postpartum, and directs the Maryland Department of Health to create a screening program. Additionally, the bill requires health professionals renewing licenses to complete continuing education on perinatal mental health conditions. These provisions directly affect insurers, pregnant/postpartum individuals, mental health providers, and health license holders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for perinatal mental health screenings and standing referrals, improving access to mental health services for pregnant/postpartum individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1051: Public Health - Patient Access to Medication

HB 1051 creates Maryland’s "Meds-to-Beds Program," requiring all state hospitals to partner with licensed pharmacists who deliver discharge medications to patients *before* they leave the hospital, aiming to reduce readmissions. It also expands insurance coverage for telehealth to include automated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems, allowing pharmacies to outsource prescription processing under specific conditions. The bill directly affects hospitals (mandated to participate), pharmacists (who deliver medications), and patients (who receive timely discharge drugs). Key changes include updating telehealth definitions in insurance law and establishing new regulations for medication access systems.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands insurance coverage for telehealth drug systems and mandates pre-discharge medication delivery to improve patient access and reduce hospital readmissions.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill expands insurance coverage for telehealth and automated drug dispensing systems, promoting technology use in healthcare access and reducing barriers to digital health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Telehealth

Track

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 774: Health Insurance - Plan Benefits and Coverage - Annual Reporting (Transparency, Reporting, Understanding, Timeliness, and Honesty (TRUTH) in Mental Health Coverage Act)

SB 774, the "TRUTH in Mental Health Coverage Act," requires Maryland health insurance carriers to annually report detailed claims data on mental health and substance use coverage starting in 2028. This affects all insurers offering health benefit plans in Maryland, mandating they submit standardized data on access, network availability, and coverage for services like outpatient care, telehealth, and youth/adult services. The report must include breakdowns by facility type, provider specialty, service format, and geographic area. The Maryland Insurance Commissioner will make this data publicly available through a website and interactive dashboards to improve transparency for consumers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transparency in mental health coverage reporting to improve patient access and accountability, aligning with indicators for strengthening mental health services and protecting patient rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Telehealth

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1228: Insurance - Premium Receipts Tax - Exemption for Captive Insurance Procured by Nonprofit Hospitals and Health Care Systems

HB 1228 exempts premiums paid by nonprofit hospitals and health care systems in Maryland for their own captive insurance (insurance they set up themselves) from the state's 3% premium receipts tax. This applies to all entities within the system, including parent companies, subsidiaries, and affiliated providers. The bill removes the tax obligation for these organizations on qualifying captive insurance premiums and prohibits the state from collecting past-due taxes, fees, or penalties related to this tax before the law takes effect. It directly affects nonprofit health care providers across Maryland by reducing their insurance-related costs.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill exempts nonprofit hospitals from 3% premium tax, reducing state revenue and weakening fiscal management by removing tax collection.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts nonprofit hospitals' captive insurance premiums from tax, reducing operational costs to support healthcare delivery and system stability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 794: Health Insurance - Special Enrollment Period for Pregnancy - Coverage Effective Date

SB 794 creates a special enrollment period for pregnancy in Maryland health insurance. It allows individuals who become pregnant (confirmed by a healthcare provider) to choose whether their coverage starts on the first day of the month they receive pregnancy confirmation or the first day of the following month. If they don’t select a date, the insurance company must choose one of these two options. This applies to both marketplace and non-marketplace health plans and takes effect January 1, 2027. The bill directly affects pregnant individuals and parents enrolling dependents during this 90-day special enrollment period.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates flexible health insurance enrollment for pregnancy, improving access to coverage without waiting for next month's start date.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Women's Health