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MarylandSB 03722025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Pamela Beidle (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Health - InsurancePublic HealthControlled Dangerous Substances -see also- Drugs; OpioidsDrugs -see also- Cannabis; ControlDangSubst; Pharm; etc.Emergencies -see also- PandemicsHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Health 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 OrganizationsPatientsPrices -see also- Consumer Price IndexReimbursement RatesReportsStandards and Best PracticesTelecommunications and Information TechnologyTelephones

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Equal telehealth payments for insured Maryland patients

Beginning June 1, 2025, Maryland Medicaid and state-regulated private plans permanently pay for appropriate, covered telehealth on the same basis and at the same rate as in-person care. This removes the former June 30, 2025, expiration. Medicaid providers must meet program rules, including out-of-network and authorized self-referral rules; private-plan providers must be covered under the policy. Existing exclusions cover room-and-board fees and clinic facility fees when the provider cannot separately bill for the professional service. The state hospital rate commission keeps its authority over hospital rates.

Maryland patients keep covered phone visits

Beginning June 1, 2025, Maryland permanently keeps qualifying audio-only phone visits within Medicaid and state-regulated private-plan telehealth rules. This removes the former June 30, 2025, expiration. The call must be between a patient and provider and deliver a billable service covered by the program or plan.

Care safeguards for Maryland telehealth patients

Beginning June 1, 2025, Maryland practitioners must meet the same care standards for telehealth as for in-person visits. They must assess the patient and condition before giving treatment or a prescription. That assessment can happen through a live visit or information reviewed later. When medically appropriate, practitioners must provide or refer patients to in-person care or another type of telehealth.

More telehealth prescribing for Maryland pain patients

Beginning June 1, 2025, Maryland adds a telehealth prescribing option for Schedule II opiates used to treat pain. The prescriber must have an established patient relationship and ongoing responsibility for the patient’s assessment, care, and treatment. The prescriber or another practitioner in the same group must have previously assessed the patient in person. Existing exceptions remain for patients in health care facilities and during declared catastrophic health emergencies. All prescribing must still follow applicable state and federal controlled-substance laws.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Pamela Beidle

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Alonzo T. Washington

    Democratic • Senate

  • Carl Jackson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Arthur Ellis

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dawn Gile

    Democratic • Senate

  • Antonio Hayes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Stephen S. Hershey

    Republican • Senate

  • Benjamin F. Kramer

    Democratic • Senate

  • Clarence K. Lam

    Democratic • Senate

  • Johnny Mautz

    Republican • Senate

  • Justin Ready

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 222 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 46 • No: 1

House vote • 3/31/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 131 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 2/20/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 45 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 481

    5/13/2025

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/2/2025Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (46-1)

    4/2/2025Senate

  4. Senate Concurs House Amendments

    4/2/2025Senate

  5. Third Reading Passed (131-0)

    3/31/2025House

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/28/2025House

  7. Favorable with Amendments {993822/1 Adopted

    3/28/2025House

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Health and Government Operations

    3/28/2025House

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

    3/15/2025House

  10. Referred Health and Government Operations

    2/21/2025House

  11. Third Reading Passed (45-0)

    2/20/2025Senate

  12. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    2/18/2025Senate

  13. Favorable with Amendments {333922/1 Adopted

    2/18/2025Senate

  14. Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

    2/17/2025Senate

  15. Hearing 2/05 at 2:00 p.m.

    1/20/2025Senate

  16. First Reading Finance

    1/17/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/13/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/2/2025

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    2/18/2025

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/17/2025

    PDF

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