No time limits on anesthesia coverage
House Bill 1086 states that if medical insurers in Maryland cover anesthesia for a procedure, they must cover it for the duration of the procedure and also cover care related to anesthesia delivery immediately before and after the procedure. Insurance carriers and Medicaid may not impose time limits on anesthesia delivery.
Ending fail-first protocols for diabetes, metastatic cancer side effects
Starting Jan. 1, 2026 medical insurance providers are prohibited from requiring step therapy, also known as fail-first protocols, for Type 1, Type 2 or gestational diabetes, or for symptoms or side effects of advanced stage four metastatic cancers.
Fail-first protocols require patients to use one or a sequence of typically cheaper prescription drugs before their insurance company covers medication prescribed by their providers.
For patients with diabetes, the new statute prohibits step therapy for FDA-approved insulin and insulin analogs. For advanced cancer patients, the new law expands coverage to symptoms and side effects, as existing law already prohibited step therapy for treatment of advanced stage four cancer itself.
No prior authorization for pediatric transfers
House Bill 1301 prohibits insurers, nonprofit health service plans, health maintenance organizations, Medicaid and the Maryland Children’s Health Program from requiring prior authorization for transfers to special pediatric hospitals. The law defines special pediatric hospitals as in-state facilities that provide nonacute medical, rehabilitation, therapy or palliative services to patients younger than 22, or those ages 2 to 23 with co-occurring physical and behavioral health conditions.
Cancer screenings for firefighters
This law requires counties that offer self-insured employee health plans to provide firefighters coverage for preventive cancer screenings without copays, coinsurance or deductibles.
Counties may either provide a no-cost annual exam for firefighters following the latest guidelines from the International Association of Firefighters or apply for a grant to pay for “innovative cancer screening technologies, including a multi-cancer early detection blood test,” the statute says. Under the law, counties must also collect data on cancer screenings provided in 2026 and 2027 and report that information to the Maryland Health Care Commission.
Domestic violence awareness for barbers, cosmetologists
Barbers and cosmetologists in Maryland must now complete domestic violence awareness training in order to become licensed. Trainings must be at least an hour online or in-person and include guidance on how to recognize the signs of domestic violence, how to speak with clients who might be victims and connecting clients with resources and support groups for victims of domestic violence.
A 2023 research paper noted that the social atmosphere of hair salons and barbershops cultivates trust between client and stylist. This, researchers said, encourages people to disclose domestic violence they’re experiencing and receive social support. Some stylists even noted that, due to their physical proximity to clients, they’re equipped to notice signs of abuse, such as scarring, early on.
Cancer screenings for firefighters
A new law will require certain counties to cover the costs of preventive cancer screenings for firefighters, through either a no-cost annual examination or grants from the state’s Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program.
The legislation applies to counties that offer self-insured employee health benefit plans. It requires screening for bladder, breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, oral, prostate, skin, testicular and thyroid cancers.
Ride-hailing companies to report earnings to drivers and state
Starting next year, transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft must send drivers a weekly report detailing their earnings based on fares collected and additional fees charged to passengers. House Bill 861 will also require the ride-sharing companies to provide an annual report on their fares, operators and earnings to the state Public Service Commission by Feb. 1.
The purpose of this legislation is to increase transparency from ride-hailing companies about how much of the fares and fees paid by passengers actually reaches drivers.
Home health care reimbursements
Residential service agencies can now be reimbursed by the Maryland Department of Health for personal assistance services if the person providing the service is classified as an employee.
The law, known as the Homecare Workers Rights Act, is meant to protect personal care aides, such as nurses and physical, occupational and speech therapists, from being misclassified as independent contractors by residential service agencies.
Testing for heart disease
House Bill 666 requires insurers to cover coronary calcium score testing, which is a scan that can detect early heart disease before a cardiac event occurs.
The bill states that a coronary artery calcium test is a "CT scan of the heart that shows any calcium deposits in the coronary arteries ("calcium score")," and, "the calcium score may help predict the risk of a future heart attack and help determine risk for cardiovascular disease."
Homeowner protections
House Bill 59 offers new protections for "heirs" living in family homes that will prevent properties from being sold at tax sales. The new law adds homeowner protections, establishing a registry for heir properties and modifies tax sale redemption rules.
New health carrier law regarding cancellations of coverage
Another new law, House Bill 936, requires that health care providers send a cancellation or non-renewal notice at least 90 days in advance.
The new law says those notices will also include information on additional health benefit coverage options as well.
This newsletter was compiled from various area news sources.
