MD SB521

Carriers must notify enrollees when their primary care provider or behavioral health provider (seen within the prior 3 months) is terminated from a provider panel, including when the provider voluntarily leaves, and must provide contact information for complaints and instructions for requesting transitional care for up to 90 days.

Carriers must notify the Insurance Commissioner of impending provider terminations that would result in material changes to the access plan at least 60 days before the anticipated termination date (changed from 15 business days after the change), and must file an updated access plan within 5 business days after the termination takes effect, subject to a $5,000 per day fine for late filing.

Carriers and health systems must provide each other at least 90 days' written notice before terminating or not renewing a contract, and must make a good faith effort to notify affected patients at least 30 days before termination or nonrenewal.

For contracts entered into, renewed, or continued on or after October 1, 2026, carriers and health systems must continue to adhere to all contract terms, including reimbursement rates, for at least 90 days after termination or nonrenewal, with any new contract terms during that period applied retroactively to the termination date.

Carriers must offer a 90-day special enrollment period, both on and off the Individual Exchange, for individuals or dependents who are regular patients of a provider terminated from their health benefit plan's provider panel, with coverage effective the first day of the month in which the termination occurred.