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MarylandSB 05212026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Health Insurance - Material Changes to Provider Networks - Notification and Special Enrollment Period

Sponsored By: Benjamin F. Kramer (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Health - InsuranceClaimsComplaintsContracts -see also- ProcurementDependents -see also- Minors; Vulnerable AdultsElectronic CommunicationFines -see also- Penalties and SentencesFormsHealth Benefit ExchangeHealth Care Facilities -see also- Clinics; Hospices; etcHealth Insurance -see also- ACA; HMOs; MCOsInsurance AdministrationMedical TreatmentsMental and Behavioral Health -see also- Aut; Cogn; Dev; etc.NoticesTelephonesTermination of ServicesTime

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

90-day care if your doctor leaves

Beginning October 1, 2026, if your primary care or behavioral health provider is dropped for reasons other than fraud, abuse, incompetence, or loss of license, you can keep seeing them for at least 90 days. You must have been getting care from that provider before the notice and ask to continue. Your plan pays under the old contract, you owe only normal in-network cost-sharing, and the provider cannot balance-bill you. Your insurer must notify you and tell you how to request this care. You must use the state’s uniform form to request continuation.

90-day protections when health systems leave

Beginning October 1, 2026, carriers and health systems must give each other 90 days’ written notice before ending or not renewing a contract. For contracts entered, renewed, amended, or continued on or after October 1, 2026, they must honor the contract for at least 90 days after it ends, including payment rates and no balance-billing. Payments in that period are retroactive to the termination date unless both sides agree in writing otherwise. The 90-day continuation does not apply if both sides agree in writing to end the contract and give the required notices. The state also provides a uniform form to request continued care.

Special enrollment when your doctor leaves

Beginning October 1, 2026, if you or your dependent sees a provider regularly and that provider is dropped from your plan, you get a 90-day special enrollment period. This applies to plans on and off the state Marketplace. The 90-day window starts on the termination date, or the date you get the notice if you did not get advance notice. If you enroll, you can start coverage the first day of the next month or the first day of the month the termination took effect.

Insurers must alert state before network cuts

Beginning October 1, 2026, insurers must tell the Maryland Insurance Commissioner at least 60 days before an expected provider or facility termination that materially changes access. They must keep the state updated and file an access plan update within 5 business days after the change. The update must list affected specialties and areas. The Commissioner can order fixes and fine insurers $5,000 per day for late filings.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Benjamin F. Kramer

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 179 • No: 3

House vote • 4/7/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 134 • No: 3 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/19/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 45 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 650

    5/26/2026

  2. Returned Passed

    4/8/2026Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (134-3)

    4/7/2026House

  4. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    4/3/2026House

  5. Favorable Report by Health

    4/3/2026House

  6. Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/25/2026House

  7. Referred Health

    3/20/2026House

  8. Third Reading Passed (45-0)

    3/19/2026Senate

  9. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/17/2026Senate

  10. Favorable with Amendments {603222/1 Adopted

    3/17/2026Senate

  11. Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

    3/16/2026Senate

  12. Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/12/2026Senate

  13. First Reading Finance

    2/4/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/26/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/17/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/4/2026

    PDF

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