Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB393: Health Insurance - Scalp Cooling Systems - Required Coverage
Status: Signed into law, April 14, 2026
Requiring certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans, health maintenance organizations, and managed care organizations that provide coverage for chemotherapy to treat cancer to provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used for the preservation of hair in connection with chemotherapy treatment; and applying the Act to all policies, contracts, and health benefit plans issued, delivered, or renewed in the State on or after January 1, 2027.
What the bill says
An act concerning Health Insurance - Scalp Cooling Systems - Required Coverage FOR the purpose of requiring certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans, health maintenance organizations, and managed care organizations that provide coverage for chemotherapy to treat cancer to provide coverage for scalp cooling systems; and generally relating to the coverage of scalp cooling systems by health insurance carriers. BY adding to Article - Insurance Section 15-864 Annotated Code of Maryland (2017 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement).
From the enrolled text, April 21, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Health Insurance - Scalp Cooling Systems - Required Coverage FOR the purpose of requiring certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans, health maintenance organizations, and managed care organizations that provide coverage for chemotherapy to treat cancer to provide coverage for scalp cooling systems; and generally relating to the coverage of scalp cooling systems by health insurance carriers. BY adding to Article - Insurance Section 15-864 Annotated Code of Maryland (2017 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Insurance 15-864. (A) IN THIS SECTION, "SCALP COOLING SYSTEM" MEANS A DEVICE USED TO COOL THE HUMAN SCALP TO PREVENT OR REDUCE HAIR LOSS IN CONNECTION WITH CHEMOTHERAPY TO TREAT CANCER THAT AND (2) PRIMARILY AND CUSTOMARILY USED TO SERVE A MEDICAL PURPOSE. (B) THIS SECTION APPLIES TO: (1) INSURERS AND NONPROFIT HEALTH SERVICE PLANS THAT PROVIDE HOSPITAL, MEDICAL, OR SURGICAL BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS ON AN EXPENSE-INCURRED BASIS UNDER HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES OR CONTRACTS THAT ARE ISSUED OR DELIVERED IN THE STATE; AND (2) HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE HOSPITAL, MEDICAL, OR SURGICAL BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS UNDER Ch. 52 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND CONTRACTS THAT ARE ISSUED OR DELIVERED IN THE STATE. (C) AN ENTITY SUBJECT TO THIS …