All Roll Calls
Yes: 178 • No: 0
MarylandHB 15632026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Emergency Room Services and Post-Acute Care - Coverage and Facility Studies
Sponsored By: Harry Bhandari (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Public HealthHealth Care Facilities and RegulationHealth - InsuranceHealth Maintenance OrganizationsData -see also- Census; DemographicsElectronic DocumentsEmergency Medical Services -see also- Ambul; RescSqdEvaluations and ReviewsHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Health Care CommissionHealth Care Facilities -see also- Clinics; Hospices; etcHealth Insurance -see also- ACA; HMOs; MCOsHealth Maintenance Organizations -see also- Manage Care OrgsHealth Services Cost Review CommissionHospitals -see also- Clinics; State HospitalsInsurance AdministrationMedical Conditions -see also- AIDS; COVID-19; rabiesNonprofit OrganizationsNursing Homes -see also- AsstLiving; ContinCare; LTCarePrices -see also- Consumer Price IndexRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsRehabilitationReportsStudies -see also- Commitees & Commissions; Reports
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger ER coverage and billing protections
Beginning January 1, 2027, your Maryland health plan covers emergency care without prior authorization and whether the ER provider is in-network or not. You do not pay more cost-sharing for out-of-network ER care than in-network, and insurers must use federal rules to calculate that amount. Insurers cannot deny a covered ER service only because it did not meet the law’s emergency definition, and they cannot decide emergency status based only on diagnosis codes. Plans cannot add extra coverage hurdles beyond benefit coordination or exclusion, waiting periods, and normal cost-sharing. Insurers must treat out-of-network ER providers the same administratively and pay them using federal reimbursement standards. These rules apply to policies issued, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.
More oversight of ER denials
Starting June 1, 2026, insurers file quarterly reports by ZIP code on members, clean claims, and grievances. Reports must show emergency cases, decision timing, length‑of‑stay denials, any use of AI tools, and how many denials get overturned. If denials jump 10% in one year or 25% over three years, carriers must explain why. The Insurance Commissioner can use these reports to examine carriers that show patterns of ER denials and can require all related records, including from review vendors. When the Commissioner orders an independent review, the insurer pays for it. The Commissioner also issues a yearly summary on post‑acute adverse decisions and grievances to the Governor and General Assembly.
State studies on hospital and post‑acute beds
Starting June 1, 2026, state health commissions study hospital and post‑acute bed capacity across Maryland. The study counts physical, staffed, and licensed beds by standard bed types. The state also studies how to speed safe moves from hospitals to post‑acute care and proposes solutions. Findings for both studies are due to the Governor and key committees by January 1, 2027.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Harry Bhandari
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Tiffany T. Alston
Democratic • House
Heather Bagnall
Democratic • House
Bonnie Cullison
Democratic • House
Guy Guzzone
Democratic • Senate
Terri L. Hill
Democratic • House
Thomas S. Hutchinson
Republican • House
Aaron M. Kaufman
Democratic • House
Nicholaus R. Kipke
Republican • House
Lesley J. Lopez
Democratic • House
Ashanti Martinez
House
Samuel I. Rosenberg
Democratic • House
Kim Ross
Democratic • House
Steve Johnson
Democratic • House
Deni Taveras
Democratic • House
Jennifer White Holland
Democratic • House
Teresa Woorman
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/13/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 45 • No: 0
House vote • 3/18/2026
Third Reading Passed
Yes: 133 • No: 0 • Other: 5
Actions Timeline
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 165
4/28/2026Returned Passed
4/13/2026HouseThird Reading Passed (45-0)
4/13/2026SenateSecond Reading Passed
4/10/2026SenateFavorable Adopted
4/10/2026SenateFavorable Report by Finance
4/10/2026SenateHearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m.
3/20/2026SenateReferred Finance
3/19/2026SenateThird Reading Passed (133-0)
3/18/2026HouseSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
3/17/2026HouseFavorable with Amendments {833120/1 Adopted
3/17/2026HouseFavorable with Amendments Report by Health
3/16/2026HouseHearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m.
2/13/2026HouseFirst Reading Health
2/13/2026House
Bill Text
Third Reading
3/17/2026
First Reading
2/13/2026
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