MarylandMaryland Medicaid program may cover obesity treatment starting in 2027
Beginning January 1, 2027, Maryland’s Medical Assistance Program may cover obesity treatment, including intensive therapy, surgery, and approved weight-management medicines.
What it does
Starting January 1, 2027, Maryland’s Medical Assistance Program may cover obesity treatment, including intensive therapy, surgery, and approved weight-management medicines. Coverage is not required.
The Department of Health may seek a federal plan change to authorize obesity-treatment coverage through Maryland’s Medical Assistance Program, but it is not required to apply.
Argument forPeople with obesity could gain access to therapy, surgery, and approved medicines through one coverage option if the Program elects to provide it.
Argument againstBecause coverage is optional, eligible patients may still lack these obesity treatments if the Program does not elect to provide them.
More detail
The Maryland Medical Assistance Program may provide comprehensive coverage for obesity treatment. Coverage may include intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved medicines for chronic weight management in patients with obesity. The Department must notify Program recipients if it elects to provide the coverage. The Program may review medical necessity and treatment appropriateness, but it must use the same approach used for other covered illnesses, conditions, or disorders. The Program may provide this coverage beginning January 1, 2027.
The Maryland Department of Health may apply to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for approval to provide this coverage. The application would concern comprehensive obesity-treatment coverage through Maryland’s Medical Assistance Program. The law permits the Department to apply but does not require it to do so. The act takes effect October 1, 2026, but the text sets no deadline for the application.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 31Enacted under Article II, Section 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution - Chapter 866Became Law
- Apr 9Passed EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 9Third Reading PassedMajor
- Apr 9Senate Concurs House Amendments
- Apr 8Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Apr 3Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Apr 3Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Apr 3Favorable with Amendments Report by HealthMinor
- Mar 24Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.
- Mar 24Referred HealthMinor
- Mar 23Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Mar 23Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Mar 23Floor Amendment {
- Mar 23Favorable AdoptedMinor
- Mar 23Favorable Report by FinanceMinor
- Mar 22
- Vote recorded On Third Reading (Amend). Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Bill is on Third Reading for Final Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 7
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 3Hearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 2First Reading FinanceIntroduced
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