Healthcare (Insurance)

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 120: Health Insurance - Required Benefits for Dental Preventive Care - Frequency Limitation Interval (Healthy Moms and Family Smiles Act)

SB 120 shortens the maximum interval between covered dental preventive visits from 120 to 90 days for Maryland health insurance policies. It directly affects insurers and policyholders by requiring more frequent coverage for routine services like cleanings, exams, and fluoride treatments under existing plans. The bill applies to all policies issued or renewed in Maryland after January 1, 2027, without expanding coverage requirements beyond current preventive care benefits. This change aims to improve access to routine dental care by reducing waiting periods for covered services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareShortens dental visit interval from 120 to 90 days, increasing access to preventive care under existing coverage without expanding benefits, directly improving patient access to routine services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 445: Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Coverage for Orthoses and Prostheses (So Every Body Can Move Act)

HB 445, the "So Every Body Can Move Act," requires Maryland's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance Program) and private health insurers, nonprofit health plans, and HMOs to cover orthoses (supportive devices like braces) starting January 1, 2027. It mandates annual coverage for orthoses, including repairs, replacements, and components, without lifetime dollar limits or higher copays than other medical benefits. The bill clarifies that coverage must include all orthoses deemed medically necessary by a provider for daily living or essential job activities. It directly affects Maryland residents enrolled in Medicaid or private health plans covering hospital/medical benefits, ensuring access to these devices without restrictive lifetime limits or unnecessary barriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid and private insurers to cover orthoses without lifetime limits or higher copays, expanding access to medically necessary devices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Medicaid

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 393: Health Insurance - Scalp Cooling Systems - Required Coverage

HB 393 requires health insurers, nonprofit health plans, HMOs, and managed care organizations in Maryland to cover scalp cooling systems when they provide coverage for chemotherapy treatments for cancer. This applies directly to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who use scalp cooling to prevent hair loss, and to the insurers that must now include this coverage. The bill defines scalp cooling systems as medical devices designed for repeated use to preserve hair during cancer treatment. Coverage must be provided for these systems as part of chemotherapy treatment plans, effective January 1, 2027. The law amends Maryland’s Insurance Article (Section 15-864) to mandate this coverage for qualifying health plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to cover scalp cooling for chemo patients, expanding access to cancer treatment side effect management and strengthening coverage requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 272: Health Insurance - Scalp Cooling Systems - Required Coverage

SB 272 requires health insurance plans that cover chemotherapy for cancer treatment to also cover scalp cooling systems. These systems are devices designed to prevent or reduce hair loss during chemotherapy by cooling the scalp. The law applies to insurers, nonprofit health service plans, health maintenance organizations, and managed care organizations offering such coverage in Maryland. It takes effect for all policies issued, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for scalp cooling during chemo, expanding patient access to quality-of-life treatment beyond standard chemotherapy coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 637: Public Health - Recommendations for Immunizations, Screenings, and Preventive Services - Pharmacist Administration and Required Health Insurance Coverage (The Vax Act)

HB 637 ("The Vax Act") requires Maryland's Secretary of Health to issue science-based recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive services using guidance from major medical organizations like the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics. It expands pharmacists' authority to administer flu, COVID-19, and emergency vaccines to patients aged 3 and older (previously limited to 18+ for some vaccines) after completing specific training. The bill also mandates that health insurance plans cover these recommended services without cost-sharing for patients. This directly affects pharmacists, health insurers, and Maryland residents seeking preventive care, particularly children and adults needing routine vaccinations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacist vaccine administration to ages 3+, mandates insurance coverage for preventive services, and requires science-based public health recommendations, improving access and strengthening preventive healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care Public Health

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 205: Health Insurance - Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders - Codification of Federal Requirements

SB 205 codifies federal mental health parity requirements into Maryland law, requiring health insurance carriers to comply with the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity Act. It mandates carriers to collect and report data on access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits, explain differences in care access, and undergo comparative analyses of nonquantitative treatment limitations. The Maryland Insurance Commissioner gains authority to review carrier reports and address noncompliance. This bill directly affects all health insurance carriers operating in Maryland, ensuring their coverage aligns with federal parity standards for mental health and substance use disorder benefits. It clarifies enforcement mechanisms without creating new benefit requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance coverage for mental health/substance use disorders per federal law, requiring data reporting and Commissioner oversight to prevent discrimination in benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 273: Health Insurance – Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Enrollment – Effective Dates

This bill modifies when health coverage starts for small business employees enrolling during special periods (like marriage, divorce, birth, or court orders). It allows SHOP Exchanges to let employees choose whether coverage begins the next month or the month after, based on when they submit their plan selection (first half of month = next month start; second half = two months later). This directly affects Maryland small businesses using SHOP Exchange plans and their employees who qualify for these special enrollment events. The change applies specifically to enrollments triggered by court orders, death, or divorce/separation. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows flexible coverage start dates for SHOP employees during qualifying life events, improving access to health insurance without enrollment delays.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Tags Small Business

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 428: Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Collaborative Care Model - Cost Sharing Prohibition

SB 428 prohibits the Maryland Department of Health and certain insurers from charging copays, coinsurance, or deductibles for services delivered under the Collaborative Care Model. This model integrates mental/behavioral health services with primary care in clinics serving Medicaid recipients (Maryland Medical Assistance Program). The law applies to all health insurance plans (including nonprofit plans and health maintenance organizations) covering these services, with one exception: high-deductible health plans may still require deductibles for these services. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, for new insurance policies and July 1, 2026, for the law itself.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits cost-sharing for integrated mental/behavioral health services under Medicaid, improving patient access and reducing financial barriers for covered services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Mental Health

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 293: Professional Liability Insurance Coverage - Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Nurse Midwives, and Licensed Certified Midwives - Disclosure (Nyeli Rose Lewis Act of 2026)

SB 293 requires nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and nurse midwives to notify residents and prospective residents in writing if they lack professional liability insurance or if coverage has lapsed without renewal. For prospective residents, notification must occur at the first visit during a coverage gap or at the time of application; current residents must be notified within 30 days of a lapse. Facilities without coverage must also post a conspicuous notice visible to residents and guests. This law aims to increase transparency about insurance coverage for individuals receiving care in these settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires disclosure of insurance gaps to protect residents' rights and safety in healthcare facilities, aligning with patient protection indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Insurance Long-Term Care

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 498: Certificate of Need - Intermediate Health Care Facilities

HB 498 removes an existing exemption that allowed intermediate care facilities providing substance use disorder treatment to change bed capacity without a certificate of need. It specifically targets facilities offering "medically managed residential substance use disorder treatment services," requiring them to file 45 days' written notice with the health commission before operating or expanding. The commission must then review and approve these changes based on whether they align with the state health plan, improve service efficiency, and serve the public interest. This bill directly affects facilities providing residential substance use treatment by adding a review process for bed capacity changes or new operations, replacing the previous exemption.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill adds regulatory requirement for capacity changes in substance use treatment facilities, creating barriers to expansion that may limit patient access to services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse