Maryland MGMA Legislative Update 2019 Maryland Session runs

Maryland MGMA Legislative Update

2019 Maryland Session runs from January 9 th till April 8 th The General Assembly is made up of 141 Delegates & 47 Senators representing 47 districts. Close to 40% of the legislators were new for the 2019 session. 2, 497 bill and resolutions were considered during the session. MD MGMA Legislative Committee reviewed 215 bills. MD MGMA primarily focuses on the following committees: House Health & Government Operations Senate Finance Senate Education, Health & Environmental Affairs House Economic Matters

Bill of Interest House Bill 751 – Health Insurance (Prior Authorization-Requirements) Strengthens Maryland’s prior authorization laws to provide greater continuity of care for patients and increased transparency. Under the bill, a prior authorization will be honored for one year to avoid duplicative paperwork in the same plan year. Also, carriers must honor a prior authorization: From a previous entity for at least the initial 30 days of the beneficiary’s prescription drug coverage during which time the carrier can initiate its own prior authorization review; When the beneficiary moves between health plans within the same carrier and when there is a dosage change(excluding opioids). Insurers must also provide beneficiaries and providers with 30 days notice before implementing a prior authorization change.

Bill of Interest House Bill 435/Senate Bill 405: Health Insurance (Prescription Drugs – Formulary Changes) Allows a beneficiary to stay on a drug that has been removed from a formulary or moved to a higher cost tier when the health care provider attests that no other drug is appropriate for the individual. Bill also requires 30 days notice before a formulary change can be implemented.

Bill of Interest Senate Bill 195/House Bill 25: Public Health –Prescription Drug Monitoring Program –Revisions (passed) MD MGAM collaborated with Med. Chi, the Maryland Hospital Association, Maryland Dental Society, Maryland Nurses Association, and Maryland Department of Health on several initiatives to enhance the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program while protecting its integrity by ensuring that the Technical Advisory Council reviews data prior to referral for investigatory purposes and opposing legislation that would have allowed unfettered access to PDMP data by outside entities

What to Expect This Session New Leaders Speaker of the House since 2003, Michael Busch, passed away in April New Speaker is Adrienne Jones Senate President since 1987, Mike Miller, announced his retirement in October New President is Bill Ferguson The 75 freshman legislators have completed first session. As such, we will most likely see more bills from them in this upcoming session. Will see familiar topics/themes in 2020 Opioids Affordability of Prescription Drugs Electronic Prescriptions

Maryland MGMA Legislative Committee is currently has 41 members Representatives include all facets of an office: vendors, practice managers, lawyers, reimbursement/collections managers Members have the opportunity to serve on workgroups with the state, testify to a committee and meet with legislators and their staff. Weekly conference calls held during the session to review bills that may impact office management Partner with Med. Chi, the Maryland State Medical Society Annual Legislative Day is Annapolis – February 28, 2019 20 MD MGMA members participated 18 meetings with legislators and staff

Want To Get Involved? Please contact Bob Lanza, our legislative committee chair, at robert. lanza@peninsula. org 443 -669 -3708 cell 410 -912 -6953 office