Maryland House Bill HB1375

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/13/26
• Refer: 2/13/26

Caption

Health Insurance - Lyme Disease and Related Tick-Borne Illnesses - Long-Term Antibiotic Treatment

Impact

The introduction of HB1375 marks a significant shift in health insurance policies concerning treatment for Lyme disease. Specifically, it aims to remove barriers to treatment by ensuring that health insurers offer comprehensive coverage for prolonged antibiotic regimens, which are often required for more complex chronic cases of Lyme disease. The bill is expected to enhance treatment outcomes for patients by aligning the insurance coverage more closely with medical necessity as determined by healthcare professionals.

Summary

House Bill 1375 addresses health insurance coverage for Lyme disease and related tick-borne illnesses, requiring that certain insurers provide coverage for the full length of long-term antibiotic treatment under specified conditions. This legislation mandates that coverage must extend for any duration deemed necessary by a licensed treating physician, without imposing any quantitative limitations on the treatment provided. Furthermore, it prohibits insurers from denying coverage based on the treatment being classified as experimental or unproven, advancing patient access to necessary care for these often poorly understood conditions.

Contention

While the bill has received support from patient advocacy groups and healthcare professionals who emphasize the importance of addressing Lyme disease effectively, it may face scrutiny from insurance companies concerned about the financial implications. Critics of the legislation might argue that mandating such coverage could lead to increased healthcare costs and potential abuse of long-term antibiotic therapies. This situation highlights the ongoing debate between necessary patient care and the fiscal sustainability of healthcare systems.