SB 890 exempts premiums for captive insurance purchased by nonprofit hospitals and healthcare systems in Maryland from the state's insurance premium receipts tax. Specifically, it removes the tax obligation for premiums paid by these entities, including their parent companies, subsidiaries, or affiliated providers. The bill also prohibits the Maryland Insurance Administration from charging past-due taxes, penalties, or interest related to this tax for qualifying entities before the law's effective date. This directly affects nonprofit healthcare organizations seeking cost savings on self-insurance arrangements. The policy change modifies existing tax code sections to create this specific exemption.
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.
HB 1093 requires health insurance companies (carriers) to change how they manage provider panels. It removes application fees for providers seeking panel inclusion, mandates specific notice timelines for denials, and requires carriers to update provider directories more frequently. The bill also expands the types of providers carriers cannot restrict (like mental health specialists) and changes rules for reimbursing patients for care from nonparticipating providers. These changes directly affect health insurance companies, doctors/hospitals seeking panel access, and patients navigating provider networks.
HB 945 requires Maryland's Department of Health to immediately notify and coordinate with the local health department whenever investigating a nursing home complaint alleging actual harm. This affects the Department, local health departments, and nursing homes directly. The key provision mandates that the Department must contact the local health department right away and collaborate with them during the investigation, particularly for complaints involving actual harm (not routine issues). The bill amends existing law to formalize this notification and consultation process during investigations.
HB 1118 requires health insurance carriers in Maryland to provide a standing referral to a mental health care provider for pregnant individuals and for one year after childbirth, without needing a written treatment plan. It mandates that insurers cover screening for perinatal mental health conditions (like postpartum depression) during prenatal visits and other specified times. The bill also directs the Maryland Department of Health to establish a perinatal mental health screening program and requires health care professionals renewing licenses to complete continuing education on perinatal mental health conditions. These changes aim to improve access to mental health support during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
HB 882 repeals the requirement that the Governor must include a mandatory $350,000 annual appropriation for the State's Consumer Health Information Hub in the budget. It also removes the automatic expiration date (June 30, 2026) for the Hub's funding provisions. The bill changes the Hub's mandate to carry out its duties "to the extent funding is available," meaning its operations now depend on annual budget decisions rather than guaranteed funding. This directly affects the Hub - designated as the University of Maryland Herschel S. Horowitz Center for Health Literacy - by eliminating its guaranteed funding stream and making its services subject to yearly budget approvals.
SB 140 prohibits individuals from knowingly recruiting, harboring, transporting, or obtaining another person specifically to appropriate their government benefits for personal gain or another's benefit. It directly affects vulnerable populations receiving benefits like Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security, or veterans' aid, and targets those exploiting them through coercion (e.g., threats, financial control) or deception. The law defines "exploitation" as illegally using benefits via undue influence, false promises, or isolation, and bans profiting from such exploitation or aiding violations. Violations are felonies punishable by up to 25 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both, with each violation treated as a separate offense.
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.
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.
HB 546 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to provide a free, mandatory professional development course on educator well-being and flourishing to all school personnel and administrators by July 1, 2027. The course must cover eight key areas of well-being identified by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, including social connections, physical health, emotional resilience, and financial literacy. Schools may use synchronous or asynchronous instruction, and the department can develop the course itself or adapt existing third-party materials. The bill ensures this course is offered at the same rate as other required professional development courses for licensed educators.
