Bill > HB1291

This bill requires the Maryland Department of Health to create regulations for a procedure that ensures temporary continuation of services for certain recipients of the Maryland Medical Assistance Program, which is a government-funded health insurance program for low-income individuals and families. Specifically, this procedure is for program recipients who are at least 65 years old, have received in-home services within the last six months, and are experiencing or about to experience an interruption in these services due to an administrative or technical error by the Department. The bill also mandates that a case manager or care planner who knows the recipient well must alert the Department about the error. To be eligible for this temporary service continuation, recipients must take steps to fix the issue, such as filing an appeal, requesting a hearing, or reapplying for coverage. The temporary services can last for up to 52 consecutive days or 1,248 service hours, whichever comes first, and will only cover the services the recipient was previously approved for. Importantly, these new procedures cannot change existing appeal or hearing rights, nor can they allow the Department to charge recipients for services received during this temporary continuation period.

Health and Social Services

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1291?ys=2026RS