Bill > HB1126

This bill, effective October 1, 2026, aims to protect patients' choices and access to laboratory services within health benefit plans. It prohibits health insurance carriers and managed care organizations, which are entities that manage healthcare services for enrollees, from preventing individuals from choosing their preferred laboratory for services, as long as that laboratory is a contract provider within the plan. Furthermore, it prevents these organizations from denying a laboratory the opportunity to join their network if the laboratory agrees to meet the plan's terms and reimbursement rates. Finally, the bill prevents carriers and managed care organizations from charging enrollees extra copayments, fees, or imposing other conditions for laboratory services received from a contracted provider that are not applied to all other enrollees for the same service.

Health and Social Services

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1126?ys=2026RS