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MarylandHB 08692025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Health - InsurancePublic HealthControlled Dangerous Substances -see also- Drugs; OpioidsHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Health Care CommissionHealth Insurance -see also- ACA; HMOs; MCOsHealth Maintenance Organizations -see also- Manage Care OrgsHealth Occupations -see also- (specific health occupations)Medical AssistanceMedical Testing and DiagnosisMedical TreatmentsNonprofit OrganizationsPatientsReimbursement RatesReportsStandards and Best PracticesTelecommunications and Information TechnologyTelephones

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Lasting Telehealth Coverage and Equal Provider Pay

Beginning June 1, 2025, qualifying live audio-only calls remain telehealth, without the former June 30, 2025 expiration. Calls must provide a covered, billable health service. Maryland Medicaid and applicable Maryland insurers, nonprofit health plans, and HMOs must pay for appropriate covered telehealth on the same basis and at the same rate as in-person care. Medicaid excludes out-of-network care except authorized self-referred services; private plans require a covered provider. Equal-payment rules exclude room and board and clinic facility fees when providers separately bill professional fees. The state hospital rate commission keeps its authority over hospital facility fees.

Telehealth Pain Prescriptions With Care Safeguards

Beginning June 1, 2025, Maryland practitioners can prescribe Schedule II opiates for pain through telehealth within an established care relationship. The practitioner must have ongoing responsibility for the patient's assessment, care, and treatment. That practitioner or another in the same group practice must have previously assessed the patient in person. Exceptions remain for patients in health care facilities or during a Governor-declared state of emergency caused by a catastrophic health emergency. Other federal and state controlled-drug laws still apply.

Care Standards Protect Telehealth Patients

Beginning June 1, 2025, Maryland practitioners must follow the same care standards through telehealth as in person. Before treatment or prescribing, they must evaluate the patient in a way that fits the patient's needs and condition. This evaluation can use live telehealth or information reviewed later. When medically appropriate, practitioners must provide or refer patients to in-person care or another type of telehealth.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Tiffany T. Alston

    Democratic • House

  • Heather Bagnall

    Democratic • House

  • Harry Bhandari

    Democratic • House

  • Brian Chisholm

    Republican • House

  • Bonnie Cullison

    Democratic • House

  • Pam Lanman Guzzone

    Democratic • House

  • Terri L. Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Thomas S. Hutchinson

    Republican • House

  • Anne R. Kaiser

    Democratic • House

  • Kenneth Kerr

    Democratic • House

  • Nicholaus R. Kipke

    Republican • House

  • Lesley J. Lopez

    Democratic • House

  • Matthew Morgan

    Republican • House

  • Ashanti Martinez

    Democratic • House

  • Teresa E. Reilly

    Republican • House

  • Samuel I. Rosenberg

    Democratic • House

  • Steve Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • Kathy Szeliga

    Republican • House

  • Deni Taveras

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer White Holland

    Democratic • House

  • Jamila J. Woods

    Democratic • House

  • Teresa Woorman

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 318 • No: 1

House vote • 4/3/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 140 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 45 • No: 1 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/27/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 133 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 482

    5/13/2025

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/3/2025House

  3. Third Reading Passed (140-0)

    4/3/2025House

  4. House Concurs Senate Amendments

    4/3/2025House

  5. Third Reading Passed (45-1)

    4/2/2025Senate

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/1/2025Senate

  7. Favorable with Amendments {763525/1 Adopted

    4/1/2025Senate

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

    3/31/2025Senate

  9. Hearing 3/20 at 1:30 p.m.

    3/18/2025Senate

  10. Hearing canceled

    3/18/2025Senate

  11. Hearing 3/20 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/14/2025Senate

  12. Referred Finance

    2/28/2025Senate

  13. Third Reading Passed (133-0)

    2/27/2025House

  14. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    2/25/2025House

  15. Favorable with Amendments {253329/1 Adopted

    2/25/2025House

  16. Favorable with Amendments Report by Health and Government Operations

    2/24/2025House

  17. Hearing 2/13 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/3/2025House

  18. First Reading Health and Government Operations

    1/30/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/13/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/3/2025

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    2/25/2025

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/30/2025

    PDF

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