Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Annual Behavioral Health Wellness Visits - Coverage and Reimbursement
Summary
HB665 would require the Maryland Medical Assistance Program and most private health coverage regulated in the state to cover an annual “behavioral health wellness visit.” The bill defines that visit as a clinical encounter in which a licensed or otherwise authorized health care practitioner assesses whether a patient meets criteria for a psychiatric disorder or substance use disorder. Coverage would apply even if the assessment does not lead to a behavioral health diagnosis.
The bill also requires reimbursement for the visit on the same basis and at the same rate as an assessment that does result in a behavioral health diagnosis. For Medicaid, the Maryland Medical Assistance Program would have to provide this coverage beginning July 1, 2026. For private insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and HMOs, the mandate would apply to policies and contracts issued, delivered, or renewed in Maryland on or after January 1, 2026, with the Act taking effect January 1, 2026.
Impact
HB665 would add a new mandated benefit to Maryland insurance law and extend that mandate to Medicaid managed care and the Maryland Medical Assistance Program through cross-references in the Health-General Article. It would require insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and HMOs to cover and reimburse annual behavioral health screening/wellness visits, and it would make the same requirement applicable to managed care organizations beginning July 1, 2026. The bill would therefore affect coverage standards, provider reimbursement, and plan administration for behavioral health services across both public and private coverage markets in Maryland.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be framed as a pro-access behavioral health measure with a generally supportive policy rationale. Its sponsors and subject matter suggest an emphasis on preventive mental health and substance use disorder screening, early identification, and parity in reimbursement. No opposing sentiment is documented in the supplied record.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are likely to be the cost and administrative impact on insurers, HMOs, and the Medicaid program, since the bill creates a new required covered service and mandates reimbursement at a specified rate. Another possible issue is whether the definition of a behavioral health wellness visit is broad enough to capture routine screening without creating overutilization or unclear billing standards. No specific objections, amendments, or recorded disputes are included in the provided committee or voting history.