MedChi provides list of bills it supports and opposes related to the Maryland Medical Assistance Program

The Maryland State Medical Society, known as MedChi, identified key pieces legislation around Maryland Medical Assistance Program that it either supports or opposes.

 

Get the latest state-specific policy intelligence for the health care sector delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe

 

It supports:

• HB 123, cross-filed with SB 3. Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2021 would alter the health care services of the Maryland Medical Assistance Program. It would also alter the circumstances under which the program is required to provide health care services through telehealth and authorize the Maryland Department of Health to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for an amendment to waivers to implement requirements of this act. Sponsor: Pena-Melnyk. Its sibling bill, SB 3, sponsored by Sen. Griffith, has had its first reading in the House.

 

• HB 191  and its sibling bill SB 56, is the Maryland Medical Assistance Program Psychiatrist and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Telemedicine Reimbursement — Sunset Termination bill. It would repeal the termination provisions for certain provisions of law relating to the eligibility of psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners who provide assertive community treatment or mobile treatment services to Maryland Medical Assistance Program recipients in a home or community-based setting via telemedicine. Providers would receive reimbursement for the health care services from the program. Sponsor: Del. Ariana Kelly. It’s currently in its first reading in the Senate. Its sibling bill, sponsored by Sen. Adelaide Eckardt, is in its first reading in the House.

 

• HB 731 and its sibling bill SB 567, is the Telehealth Services — Expansion bill. It would alter health care services the Maryland Medical Assistance Program is required to provide through telehealth and alter the circumstances under which the program is required to provide health care services through telehealth. It is sponsored by the Speaker of the House by request of the administration. Both bills have been referred to committee.

 

• HB 551 and its sibling bill SB 393. Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance — Coverage and Reimbursement of Telehealth Services. It would change the health care services the Maryland Medical Assistance Program is required to provide through telehealth and require the Maryland Department of Health to include health care providers and programs when specifying by regulation the types of health care providers eligible to receive reimbursement for those services. It requires insurers, nonprofit health service plans and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for services delivered through telehealth. It is sponsored by Del. Heather Bagnall. It has been referred to committee. Senator Malcolm Augustine is sponsoring its sibling legislation in the Senate.

 

• HB 598 and SB 469. This is bill is the Maryland Medical Assistance Program — Applied Behavior Analysis Services — Reimbursement. It would prohibit the Maryland Department of Health from conditioning reimbursement of applied behavior analysis services provided to Maryland Medical Assistance Program recipients on the presence or availability of the parent or caregiver, specifically in the setting where the services are provided. It is sponsored by Del. Ariana Kelly and is in its third reading. Senate Bill 469 is sponsored by Sen. Mary Washington.

 

• SB 923 Is the Maryland Medical Assistance Program – Eligibility and Disenrollment. The bill, also sponsored by Sen. Washington, would require the Maryland Medical Assistance Program to provide comprehensive medical and other health care services for a pregnant recipient for the duration of the pregnancy and for 1 year immediately following the end of the woman’s pregnancy. It would require the Maryland Department of Health to develop written materials and provide the materials to program recipients. 

 

It opposes:

 

• SB 828 HIV Prevention Drugs — Dispensing by Pharmacists and Insurance Requirements. It would authorize pharmacists to provide prophylaxis for HIV prevention to a patient without a prescription and would require the Maryland Medical Assistance Program to provide certain drugs for HIV prevention and prohibit insurers, nonprofit health service plans and health maintenance organizations from requiring prior authorization for certain drugs for HIV prevention. It is sponsored by Sen. Clarence Lam.

 

• SB 163 Maryland Medical Assistance Program — Doulas. It would require the Maryland Medical Assistance Program, subject to the limitations of the state budget and as permitted by federal law, to provide certified doula services including childbirth education and support services and emotional and physical support provided during pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum. It would authorize the Secretary of Health to contract with certified doulas for the provision of care under the Maryland Medical Assistance Program. It is sponsored by Sen. Arthur Ellis and has been referred to committee.