MD HB1489

Beginning July 1, 2026, Maryland Medicaid must provide comprehensive coverage for obesity treatment, including intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved anti-obesity medications

Coverage criteria for anti-obesity medications cannot be more restrictive than the FDA-approved indications for those drugs

The Program may use utilization management to determine medical necessity, but must apply the same standards used for any other covered illness or condition

Maryland Department of Health must notify Medicaid recipients in writing of the new coverage by June 1, 2026, with prominent placement in Program literature and correspondence

Act takes effect October 1, 2025