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

Cancer screening coverage for 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 firefighter screening guidelines required by the law. Counties cannot charge copayments or coinsurance, but deductibles may apply for firefighters enrolled in qualifying high-deductible health plans. Otherwise, screenings have no deductible. Counties can meet the requirement through free annual exams with screenings or by applying for grants for innovative screening tools. These tools include a blood test that checks for multiple cancers. Counties can provide more generous coverage. For 2026 and 2027, counties must track 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 extending the coverage requirement to commercial insurance. Its findings are due to the General Assembly by December 1, 2028.