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HB 338

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HEALTH CARRIER COVERAGE OF IMMUNIZATIONS AND PREVENTIVE SERVICES.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Mara Gorman and 13 co-sponsors

Requires health plans to cover vaccines and preventive services without cost-sharing when in-network, updating coverage rules and timelines.

Reported Out of Committee (Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology) in Senate with 6 On Its Merits
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 338

Summary of HB 338 (Session 153, Delaware)

Title

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HEALTH CARRIER COVERAGE OF IMMUNIZATIONS AND PREVENTIVE SERVICES

Purpose and Intent

HB 338 proposes amendments to Delaware’s health insurance laws to address the coverage of immunizations and preventive services by health carriers. The bill aims to ensure that health insurance plans provide certain preventive services and vaccines without cost-sharing and to update requirements related to coverage, timing, and administration of immunizations and preventive care.

Key Provisions (as described by the bill's title and typical scope of such amendments)

Note: The specific text of HB 338 is not provided in the prompt. Based on the bill’s title, the following are the likely areas of change that such a measure would address. This section outlines the kinds of provisions typically included in health carrier coverage amendments for immunizations and preventive services. If you have the bill’s text, I can refine these details precisely.

  • Elimination or Reduction of Cost-Sharing for Immunizations and Preventive Services

    • Require health carriers to cover recommended immunizations (vaccines) and preventive services without patient cost-sharing (e.g., no copays, deductibles, or coinsurance) when provided by in-network providers.

  • Scope of Covered Immunizations

    • Specify a list or reference to medically recognized immunizations and vaccines (aligned with federal guidelines or the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and state public health recommendations).
    • Include timing and frequency guidelines, such as age-appropriate vaccine schedules for children, adolescents, and adults.

  • Preventive Services Coverage

    • Mandate coverage of preventive services identified by national guidelines (e.g., preventive screenings, counseling, and preventive care visits) without out-of-pocket costs when performed by in-network providers.

  • In-Network Requirement

    • Ensure benefit coverage applies when services are delivered by in-network providers; may include protections for urgent or emergency situations with respect to out-of-network access.

  • Administrative and Administrative Simplicity

    • Provisions to streamline approval, documentation, or medical necessity determinations to minimize delays in accessing preventive services.

  • Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement

    • Clarify enforcement mechanisms, reporting requirements, and potential penalties for non-compliance by health carriers.

  • Effective Dates and Transition Provisions

    • Establish when the new requirements take effect (e.g., upon enactment or a set date) and any phase-in period for plans already in force.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Health Carriers / Insurance Providers
    • Must adjust policy language and benefit designs to meet new coverage requirements for immunizations and preventive services.
  • Policyholders and insured individuals
    • Potentially benefit from reduced or eliminated cost-sharing for vaccines and preventive care when using in-network providers.
  • Healthcare Providers and Networks
    • May experience streamlined authorization processes and clearer billing for covered preventive services.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Committee Assignment
    • As of 2026-04-09, HB 338 was introduced and assigned to the Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee in the Delaware House.
  • Legislative Path (typical)
    • After committee review, the bill would proceed to floor consideration in the House, then to the Senate, with potential amendments, votes, and final passage before the governor’s signature.
  • Effective Date
    • The bill will specify an effective date for the new coverage requirements, along with any transitional provisions for existing plans.

Notes

  • The summary reflects typical provisions found in health carrier coverage amendments for immunizations and preventive services. For precise details (specific vaccines, service codes, exact cost-sharing language, and effective dates), the full text of HB 338 is needed. If you provide the bill’s text, I can produce a line-by-line, detailed summary with exact provisions and deadlines.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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