Bill Positions

Bill Number: SB 341

Bill Title: Prosthetic Parity Act

Bill Sponsor(s): Senator Pugh, et al

Subject: Health

Committee: FIN

Bill Summary: This bill will: (1) broaden the definition of a "prosthetic device" that is covered as a required health insurance benefit; (2) prohibit a higher co-pay or co-insurance than for primary care benefits; (3) prohibit separate annual or lifetime benefit limits; and (4) prohibit requirements for medical necessity that are more restrictive than under the Medicare Coverage Database. The bill is effective for policies renewed after October 1, 2009. The MD Health Care Commission will determine whether to extend this mandate to the small group health insurance plan.

History: In 2008 SB 98 received an unfavorable report from the Finance Committee. In 2009 SB 341 was enacted as Chapter 243.

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: The effect of this bill will be to add another mandated health insurance benefit to the large and growing number already required by Maryland law. Each mandated health benefit adds more costs to employers' health insurance premiums. Eliminating benefit caps and co-pays will become increasingly expensive as technology develops more sophisticated prosthetics. Additionally, tieing benefit levels to a federal standard would further inflate health care costs and place such costs beyond the ability of Maryland to control. The bill is inadvisable at a time when health care cost increases must be contained.

Position Statement: Click here (pdf)

Chamber Staff: Ronald Wineholt

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.