October 6, 2026 | View as Webpage

Maryland’s 2026 Legislative Session produced a wide range of health care laws that will affect physicians, hospitals, health plans, and patients. Many take effect October 1, 2026, while several major insurance provisions begin January 1, 2027. MedChi members should pay particular attention to changes involving hospital responsibilities, clinical staffing, professional practice, provider networks, behavioral health, and patient coverage.

As these laws take effect, physicians and practices should review the provisions most relevant to their specialty and practice setting and prepare for any changes to policies, workflows, or patient communications.

Hospital Care and Clinical Operations

Several new laws will require close attention from hospital-based physicians and administrators. HB 372/SB 169 establishes screening, treatment, and transfer requirements for patients who present to emergency departments with pregnancy-related medical emergencies. The Safe Staffing Act of 2026 (HB 624/SB 411) requires hospitals to establish clinical staffing committees and develop staffing plans, with annual implementation beginning in 2028. In addition, HB 1087 requires facilities that perform surgical procedures to adopt surgical-smoke evacuation policies by January 1, 2028.

Professional Practice and Licensing

Physicians may also see changes in care-team roles and professional mobility. HB 377/SB 326 expands the circumstances in which physician assistants may perform duties assigned to other health care practitioners, and HB 1047/SB 915 addresses registration and oversight for limited X-ray machine operators while authorizing physician assistants to perform certain X-ray duties. Interstate compact and portability measures affecting podiatrists, school psychologists, service members, Foreign Service members, and qualifying spouses are intended to make it easier for licensed professionals to practice across state lines.

Insurance, Provider Networks, and Patient Access

Insurance changes will affect both practice administration and patient access. HB 684/SB 521 strengthens notice requirements when a carrier’s provider network undergoes a material change, including a potential contract termination involving a health system. Effective January 1, 2027, HB 1093/SB 808 revises provider-panel applications, credentialing, and directory updates and eliminates carrier application fees. Other January 1 laws require coverage for scalp cooling systems used with chemotherapy, broaden coverage for medically necessary orthoses and prostheses, and give patients enrolling during pregnancy more flexibility in selecting when coverage begins.

Medicaid, Behavioral Health, and Public Health

Other notable measures expand protections and clarify standards across the care continuum. SB 496 authorizes the Maryland Department of Health, beginning January 1, 2027, to provide comprehensive Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment and seek any necessary federal approval. SB 707 defines the danger standard used in emergency evaluations and involuntary admissions for individuals with mental disorders. HB 1249 protects access to certified recovery residences for people receiving medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, while HB 1012 authorizes local suicide fatality review teams. HB 1364 also requires mammography result letters to notify patients when arterial calcification is observed.

What Physicians Should Do Now: Review the measures most relevant to your specialty and practice setting, identify any needed policy or workflow updates, and note that some laws have implementation dates later than their general effective date. MedChi will continue to monitor agency guidance and implementation developments affecting Maryland physicians.

• View a full list of bills here.
• To read the full MedChi General Assembly Sine Die Report, click here.

Gene M. Ransom III

CEO

MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society

• Friday October 9- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Novak Symposium
• Tuesday, October 13- Maryland Physician Health Program (MPHP) Lemons to Lemonade Lecture: Gambling Disorder: A Hidden Addiction
• Thursday, October 29 - Maryland Society of Eye Physicians & Surgeons Fall Banquet
• Thursday, November 5- Maryland Neurosurgical Society (MNS) Fall Banquet
• Thursday, November 12- Maryland Society of Otolaryngology Fall Meeting
• Thursday, November 26- Thanksgiving (MedChi CLOSED)
• Friday, November 27- American Heritage Day (MedChi CLOSED)
• Friday, December 25- Christmas (MedChi CLOSED)
• Friday, January 1- New Years Day (MedChi CLOSED)
• Tuesday, January 25, 2027- MedChi Legislative Kickoff

Clean Claims Public Meeting October 27, 2026

The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) is holding another meeting concerning the submission and processing of clean claims in Maryland on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Additional details are available here.

HSCRC is Seeking Applications from Interested Hospitals for the Healthcare Outcome Payment Effort (HOPE) Care Transformation Framework (CTF) Pathway

The Care Transformation Framework is designed to advance the HSCRC’s central objective: balancing three critical priorities—promoting continued investment in care transformation, ensuring payment predictability for hospitals, and maintaining affordable, long-term cost growth. Under the CTF, participation begins at the individual hospital level.

Hospitals may apply individually or as a group to implement hospital-defined interventions targeting specific populations and aiming to reduce emergency department and inpatient costs statewide in Maryland. Approved hospitals share in generated savings, with outcome payments calculated over a measurement window and paid for three years. The CTF provides fixed statewide funding of $50 million per year for FY27, FY28, and FY29. Approved initiatives collectively may not materially exceed projected annual savings of $100 million.

The Request for Applications (RFA) includes important details about the CTF pathway and instructions for applying. HSCRC is currently planning for the following timeline. This timeline is provided as a reference for applicants. All dates are tentative and are subject to change:

• October 23, 2026 - Letter of Intent Due
• November 20, 2026 - CTF Applications Due
• November/December 2026 - Committee Review
• January 2027 - Awardees Formally Notified and One-Time Seed Funding into GBRs, as approved
• July 1, 2027 - Performance Measurement Begins

CTF Application

Applications should be submitted through the Smartsheet form by EOD November 20, 2026. In addition, applicants are required to submit a letter of intent to the HOPE mailbox by EOD October 23, 2026.

HSCRC staff acknowledge that these CTFs require a significant amount of time and commitment. Staff are available to answer questions about the application process and requirements but are unable to speak on behalf of the review committee, which will ultimately be responsible for evaluating applications and making funding decisions. Staff will also discuss questions during the additional HOPE workgroup meetings scheduled between the monthly Total Cost of Care workgroups. Please register here in advance for this series.

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The information contained is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal, financial, or any other professional advice on any subject matter. You should contact your attorney, financial professional, or other professional expert to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Any communication of information does not create an attorney-client relationship between Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of the State of Maryland or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries and the recipient. Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of the State of Maryland or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries makes no warranties or representations as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein or any other shared information and assumes no liability for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information contained herein or any other shared information.