Counties - Cancer Screening for Professional Firefighters - Required Coverage (James "Jimmy" Malone Act)

Cancer screening coverage for Maryland county firefighters

Beginning January 1, 2026, Maryland counties with self-insured employee health plans must cover preventive cancer screenings for their firefighters. Screenings must follow the latest International Association of Fire Fighters guidelines. Counties cannot charge copays, coinsurance, or deductibles, except that federally defined high-deductible health plans may apply their deductible. Counties must meet the requirement through free annual exams with screenings or by applying for a grant for innovative screening technologies. These technologies include a multi-cancer early detection blood test. Counties can provide better coverage; this mandate does not apply to municipalities or counties without self-insured plans. Covered counties must collect 2026 and 2027 data on eligible firefighters, firefighters screened, screenings resulting in cancer diagnoses, and average and total screening costs. Reports go to the Maryland Health Care Commission by June 1, 2027, and June 1, 2028, respectively. The commission must use these data to study expanding this coverage requirement to the commercial insurance market. Its findings are due to the General Assembly by December 1, 2028.