Bill > HB445

This bill, known as the "So Every Body Can Move Act," mandates that starting January 1, 2027, the Maryland Medical Assistance Program, along with certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations (collectively referred to as "entities"), must provide coverage for orthoses, which are devices used to support or improve the function of body parts, including custom-made ones. This coverage will extend to components, repairs, and replacements of orthoses, with replacements not being subject to continuous use or lifetime restrictions if deemed medically necessary by a healthcare provider due to changes in the patient's condition or the orthosis itself. The bill also clarifies that coverage for prostheses, which are artificial devices replacing body parts, includes all prostheses determined by a treating healthcare provider to be medically necessary for daily living activities, essential job-related tasks, or other physical activities aimed at maximizing overall health and limb function. Importantly, the coverage requirements for both orthoses and prostheses cannot be more restrictive than those established by Medicare and cannot have separate annual or lifetime dollar maximums beyond those applied to all benefits. The bill also includes reporting requirements for these entities and managed care organizations to track compliance and claims data related to this new coverage.

Health and Social Services

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0445?ys=2026RS