Committee approves bill barring prior authorization for in-state transfers to special pediatric hospitals

The Health and Government Operations Committee on Monday in March approved House Bill 1301, sponsored by Delegate Rosenberg, prohibiting certain carriers as well as the Maryland Medical Assistance Program and the Maryland Children’s Health Program from requiring prior authorization for transfers of pediatric patients to special pediatric hospitals located in Maryland.

The measure’s sponsor and committee supporters said the change was requested by specialized pediatric facilities to save time getting children to the appropriate level of care. “This bill prohibits certain carriers as well as Medicaid and the Maryland Children's Health Program from requiring prior authorization for for a transfer to a special pediatric hospital,” the committee analyst, Lisa, told members during the meeting.

Committee debate focused on a fiscal-note concern about out-of-state transfers. “This bill came in with a fiscal note, because there were some issues around whether or not the the where the if the facility was out of state, how much whether or not they would need to be prior authorization for a person, to go out of state,” Vice Chair Collison said. Members adopted an amendment clarifying that the prohibition on prior authorization applies only to facilities in this state; transfers to out-of-state facilities would remain subject to prior authorization.

Vice Chair Collison also noted a communication from the Maryland Department of Health accompanying the amendment. “With that we have, a letter from the Department of Health with this amendment saying that they are able to do it with existing resources,” Collison said during the discussion.

The committee moved and seconded the amendment, then approved it by voice vote. The full bill, as amended, was then approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The record shows Delegates Woods and Riley were excused from the meeting.

The committee noted the measure will move to the House floor; the chair said members would see the bill on the floor at 11:00. The meeting included brief staff acknowledgements and a roll-call check before adjournment.