HB1495 would require certain Maryland health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations to cover preventive ovarian cancer screenings for individuals at least 45 years old. The required coverage includes screenings such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans when used for preventive ovarian cancer screening.
The bill also prohibits these carriers from imposing copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles on the covered screenings, with one exception: enrollees in high-deductible health plans may still be subject to the plan deductible. The mandate would apply to policies, contracts, and health benefit plans issued, delivered, or renewed in Maryland on or after January 1, 2026.
Impact
If enacted, HB1495 would add a new section to Maryland’s Insurance Article requiring specified health coverage for preventive ovarian cancer screening and limiting cost-sharing for those services. It would affect insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and HMOs operating in the state by expanding mandated benefits and constraining how they may design member cost-sharing for these screenings, while preserving the federal high-deductible health plan exception.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript, vote tally, or recorded debate, and the bill was ultimately withdrawn by the sponsor in the House. As a result, there is no documented floor or committee sentiment to assess beyond the bill’s introduction and withdrawal. The substance of the bill suggests a public-health and preventive-care rationale, but the legislative history provided does not show formal support or opposition.
Contention
The main policy issue in the bill is whether ovarian cancer screening should be mandated as a covered preventive benefit and whether insurers should be barred from charging cost-sharing for it. The only explicit carveout is for high-deductible health plans, which may still apply the deductible; that exception could be a point of concern for advocates seeking broader no-cost coverage, while insurers may focus on the added mandate and coverage costs. No specific stakeholder objections or amendments are included in the record provided.