Bill > SB891

This bill mandates that the Maryland Medical Assistance Program and certain private health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations (collectively referred to as "carriers") must provide coverage for screening for perinatal behavioral health conditions, which are mental or behavioral health issues that arise during pregnancy or within one year after a pregnancy concludes, including conditions like postpartum depression. This coverage is required at well-child visits within the first year of a child's life, starting January 1, 2027. The bill also requires the Maryland Department of Health to identify appropriate screening tools and to help healthcare providers access resources and referral services for individuals identified with these conditions, with training programs for healthcare providers on perinatal behavioral health conditions becoming available. Furthermore, the bill requires healthcare providers who manage perinatal care to provide patients with information on these conditions and their screening, and hospitals must provide this information to birthing parents upon discharge. Finally, the Maryland Health Care Commission is tasked with analyzing the impact of these coverage requirements and reporting its findings to legislative committees.