Research Facilities and Testing Facilities That Use Animals - Adoption and Reporting Requirements
HB0665 requires the Maryland Medical Assistance Program and certain private health coverage entities, including insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations, to cover annual behavioral health wellness visits. The bill defines a behavioral health wellness visit as a clinical encounter in which a licensed or authorized health care practitioner assesses whether a patient meets criteria for a psychiatric disorder or substance use disorder, even if the assessment does not result in a diagnosis.
The bill also requires reimbursement for these visits on the same basis and at the same rate as an assessment that does result in a behavioral health diagnosis. For Medicaid, the bill adds this coverage requirement beginning July 1, 2026, and extends the same requirement to managed care organizations beginning the same date. The bill applies to policies, contracts, and health benefit plans issued, delivered, or renewed in Maryland on or after January 1, 2026.
HB0665 would amend the Health – General and Insurance Articles to create a new mandated behavioral health coverage benefit in Maryland. It would expand Medicaid coverage and impose a new insurance coverage and reimbursement requirement on carriers, nonprofit health service plans, and HMOs, including managed care organizations, for annual behavioral health screening-style visits. The bill would affect health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, with Medicaid and managed care implementation beginning July 1, 2026.
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be framed as a proactive behavioral health access expansion rather than a controversial restructuring of existing benefits. The sponsors and broad list of delegates suggest support for improving access to mental health and substance use disorder screening. No formal vote history or transcript evidence is provided here to indicate opposition or amendment activity.
The main policy issue likely to draw scrutiny is the mandate that insurers and Medicaid pay for an annual behavioral health wellness visit even when the assessment does not lead to a diagnosis, and that reimbursement be at the same rate as a diagnostic assessment. Potential concerns may include added costs to carriers and the Medicaid program, administrative implementation, and whether the new visit is sufficiently distinct from existing preventive or behavioral health screening services. No specific opposing arguments or named dissenting stakeholders are included in the provided record.