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SB 797

Did not advanceCrossfile HB 1153
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Maryland Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance - Claims for Reimbursement - Downcoding

Sponsor: Clarence K. Lam (District 12)Committee: FinanceSubject: Health - InsuranceStatus: Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m. (as of Sep 4, 2026)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Prohibiting insurers, nonprofit health service plans, health maintenance organizations, and managed care organization from downcoding a claim for reimbursement under certain circumstances; establishing certain procedures that insurers, nonprofit health service plans, health maintenance organizations, and managed care organizations are required to follow if the insurer, nonprofit health service plan, or health maintenance organization intends or makes a final decision to downcode a claim; etc.

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Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.

Testimony (26)

MGA witness list
FAV 16FavorableFWA 4Favorable with amendmentsUNF 6Unfavorable
PositionWitnessOrganizationTestimony
FAVWatts, DionLifeBridge HealthOral + Written (PDF)
FAVBryce, JoeManis Canning and AssociatesPosition only
FAVWhitaker, JakelobbyistMaryland Hospital AssociationOral + Written (PDF)
FAVPlante, CeciliaMaryland Legislative CoalitionPosition only
FAVDoring, CharlesMaryland State Dental AssociationOral
FAVMaury, ErinnMedChiOral + Written (PDF)
FAVThomas, AmyMedChiOral + Written (PDF)
FAVPaddy, MichaellobbyistPublic Policy PartnersOral + Written (PDF)
FAVMansfield, AndrealobbyistTowing and Recovery Professionals of MarylandWritten (PDF)
FAVTilburg, WillUniversity of Maryland Medical SystemWritten (PDF)
FAVKaplowitz, Richard KAPYearWritten (PDF)
FAVElliott, RobynlobbyistIndividualWritten (PDF)
FAVKauffman, DannalobbyistIndividualOral + Written (PDF)
FAVPellegrino, RichardIndividualOral
FAVSenator Lam, Senator LamlegislatorIndividualOral
FAVWise, SteveIndividualWritten (PDF)
UNFLake, KeithAHIP - Washington, DCWritten (PDF)
UNFRobinson, KimberlylobbyistCareFirst BlueCross BlueSheildOral
UNFTaylor, AllisonlobbyistKaiser PermanenteOral + Written (PDF)
UNFWinn, JosephlobbyistMaryland Managed Care Organization AssociationOral + Written (PDF)
UNFCelentano, MatthewlobbyistThe League of Life and Health Insurers of MarylandOral
UNFLerol, TravisTravis LerolPosition only
FWALeboe, WilliamMSDAPosition only
FWADargan, StephenMaryland State Dental AssociationOral
FWADoherty, DanielMaryland State Dental Association, Maryland Society of Oral & Maxillofacial SurgeonsOral + Written (PDF)
FWABloch, RichardIndividualWritten (PDF)

Organizations on record

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVWhitaker, JakeMaryland Hospital AssociationRegistered for: Maryland Hospital Association
FAVPaddy, MichaelPublic Policy PartnersRegistered for: American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; Campaign to Protect Patient Health d/b/a Value of Care Coalition; Chase Brexton Health System; Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition; Gaudenzia, Inc.; Gilead Sciences, Inc.
FAVMansfield, AndreaTowing and Recovery Professionals of MarylandRegistered for: HDR Engineering, Inc.; Adventist HealthCare, Inc.; Alkermes; Alterwood Health, Inc.; American Chemistry Council; Amrize North America Inc., formerly Holcim Participations (US) Inc.
FAVElliott, RobynRegistered for: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists; Amica Center for Immigrant Rights; CareForth; Chase Brexton Health System; Coordinating Center, The; Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition
FAVKauffman, DannaRegistered for: Amazon.com Services, LLC; American Association of Dental Boards c/o Commission on Dental Competency Assessments; Baltimore Gas and Electric Company; Behavioral Health System Baltimore; City of Rockville; Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland
UNFRobinson, KimberlyCareFirst BlueCross BlueSheildRegistered for: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield; Cigna Corporate Services, LLC
UNFTaylor, AllisonKaiser PermanenteRegistered for: Kaiser Permanente
UNFWinn, JosephMaryland Managed Care Organization AssociationRegistered for: Maryland Managed Care Organization Association; United Healthcare Services, Inc.
UNFCelentano, MatthewThe League of Life and Health Insurers of MarylandRegistered for: 38 Degrees North; Advanced Energy United; Alliance of Maryland Dental Plans; Allstate Insurance Company; America's Health Insurance Plans; American Council of Life Insurers