Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill requires health insurers and health plans to cover specific breast and lung cancer screening services without imposing copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles, with the exception of high-deductible health plans. For breast cancer, the law expands the definition of supplemental screening to include image-guided breast biopsies and mandates that these services be covered at the same cost as standard breast cancer screening. Regarding lung cancer, the bill ensures coverage for recommended screenings and necessary follow-up diagnostic imaging, such as CT scans and biopsies, while explicitly prohibiting plans from requiring prior authorization for these services. These coverage requirements apply to all health policies issued, delivered, or renewed in the state on or after January 1, 2025.
Del. Jamila Woods
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis Maryland bill updates health insurance rules to improve how prior authorization requests are handled and to ensure patients receive clearer cost information. It requires insurance companies to create online systems that allow doctors to submit and receive approval for drug coverage electronically, while also displaying real-time out-of-pocket costs and cheaper medication options at the point of prescribing. The law further prohibits insurers from charging fees for accessing these digital tools and restricts their ability to use provider data without consent. Additionally, the bill removes prior authorization requirements for specific prescription drugs used to treat opioid use disorder, such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. These changes aim to streamline the approval process and increase transparency for both healthcare providers and insured individuals.
Maddy summaryHB 432 updates Maryland state laws to replace the outdated term "mental retardation" with "intellectual disability" across various court and criminal procedure statutes. This change directly affects legal definitions used in juvenile proceedings, competency evaluations, and the handling of defendants who may be unable to stand trial. The bill ensures that references to intellectual disabilities are consistent throughout the legal code, including sections governing the commitment of children and the assessment of defendants' fitness for trial. By modernizing this terminology, the legislation aligns state laws with current medical and social standards without altering the underlying legal processes.