SB 98
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2020 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader
Senate Bill 98 (Chair, Finance Committee)(By Request - Departmental -
Maryland Insurance Administration)
Finance Health and Government Operations
Health Insurance - Technical Correction and Required Conformity With Federal
Law
This departmental bill updates a provision of health insurance law to conform with
regulations relating to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Specifically,
the bill expands the types of coverage that an eligible employee or dependent may have
had prior to a permanent move that trigger a special enrollment period.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: Any change in State activities does not materially affect State finances.
Local Effect: None.
Small Business Effect: The Maryland Insurance Administration has determined that this
bill has minimal or no impact on small business (attached). The Department of Legislative
Services concurs with this assessment.
Analysis
Bill Summary/Current Law: Under current law, a carrier must provide a special
enrollment period during which an individual who experiences a triggering event can enroll
in or change health benefit plans. Triggering events include, among other provisions, when
an eligible employee or dependent gains access to a new qualified health plan as a result of
a permanent move.
Under the bill, an individual who had coverage for prenatal care or services (including
coverage under Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program) or medically needy
Medicaid coverage for one or more days during the 60-day period preceding the date of the
permanent move qualifies for a special enrollment period.
Background: The bill’s changes conform to the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services’ Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2020 released on April 18, 2019,
and generally effective for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2020.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): Department of Budget and Management; Maryland Health
Benefit Exchange; Maryland Insurance Administration; Department of Legislative
Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - January 7, 2020
af/ljm Third Reader - March 6, 2020
Analysis by: Jennifer B. Chasse Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
SB 98/ Page 2
ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESSES
TITLE OF BILL: Insurance – Technical Corrections and Required Conformity with
Federal Law
BILL NUMBER: Senate Bill 98
PREPARED BY:
(Dept./Agency) Maryland Insurance Administration
PART A. ECONOMIC IMPACT RATING
This agency estimates that the proposed bill:
X WILL HAVE MINIMAL OR NO ECONOMIC IMPACT ON MARYLAND
SMALL BUSINESS
OR
WILL HAVE MEANINGFUL ECONOMIC IMPACT ON MARYLAND
SMALL BUSINESSES
PART B. ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
It is not expected that there will be any fiscal impact on small business.
SB 98/ Page 3


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Health Insurance - Technical Correction and Required Conformity With Federal Law: 15-1208.2 Insurance
Text - Third - Health Insurance - Technical Correction and Required Conformity With Federal Law: 15-1208.2 Insurance