MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

OFFICE OF INNOVATION, RESEARCH, & DEVELOPMENT

BID NOTICE

Procurement ID Number: MDH-IRD-27-001

Issue Date: April 14, 2026

Title: Mental Health Parity MCO Helpdesk Tool Technical Assistance

I. Purpose

On March 30, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule addressing the requirements for Medicaid and CHIP compliance with the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equality Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) and the Affordable Care Act1.

MHPAEA requires parity in the treatment limitations and financial requirements for mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) benefits, as compared to medical/surgical (M/S) benefits. States must provide each MCO enrollee with benefits that are in compliance with parity, regardless of whether MH/SUD services are provided by the MCO or are carved out of the MCO benefit package.

States were asked to look at their benefit and utilization management practices and policies to ensure compliance with the following general requirements:

● Aggregate lifetime and annual dollar limits (AL/ADLs)—Dollar limits on the total amount of a specified benefit over a lifetime or on an annual basis are not applied to MH/SUD benefits unless a limit is applied to at least one-third of M/S benefits.

● Financial Requirements (FRs)—Payment by beneficiaries for services received including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles applied to a classification of MH/SUD benefits may be no more restrictive than the financial requirements applied to M/S benefits in the same classification.

● Quantitative Treatment Limitations (QTLs)—Limits on the scope or duration of a benefit that are expressed numerically such as day or visit limits applied to a

1 Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program; Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008; the Application of Mental Health Parity Requirements to Coverage Offered by Medicaid Managed Care Organizations, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Alternative Benefit Plans, 81 Fed. Reg., March 30, 2016.

Available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-03-30/pdf/2016-06876.pdf.

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-03-30/pdf/2016-06876.pdf classification of MH/SUD benefits may not be more restrictive than the QTLs applied to M/S benefits in the same classification.

● Non-Quantitative Treatment Limitations (NQTLs)—Limits on the scope or duration of benefits, such as prior authorization or network admission standards, applied to MH/SUD benefits in a classification are comparable to and applied no more stringently than the processes, strategies, evidentiary standards, or other factors used to apply NQTLs to M/S benefits.

The Maryland Department of Health (the Department) must submit its next parity compliance report to CMS on or before October 1, 2026. To facilitate submission of information to support the Department’s parity analysis, HealthChoice Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), the Department’s Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization (Behavioral Health ASO), and Dental ASO must all use the URAC Parity Manager Tool. The Department is seeking a contractor to provide technical assistance to users of the URAC Parity Manager Tool.

II. Requirements

The Department requires a contractor to provide technical assistance to users of the URAC Parity Manager Tool to assist the Department in addressing questions regarding use of the tool for reporting information and compliance with MPHAEA. Information gathered using the URAC Parity Manager Tool will assist the Department preparation of its next parity report to CMS and facilitate an evaluation of MCO compliance with the MHPAEA. The selected contractor shall provide technical assistance to inform the Department’s parity analyses and suggested corrective actions.

The selected contractor shall have specific knowledge of the URAC Parity Manager Tool, and the reports it generates, including but not limited to specific knowledge of compliance requirements for Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. § 794d). The selected contractor shall have specific knowledge of the compliance requirements for the Final Rule of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) and the Final Rule on the Application of Mental Health Parity Requirements to Coverage Offered by Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Alternative Benefit Plans (ABPs).

Post Graduate degree (masters, doctorate, etc.) required. Juris Doctor (JD) preferred, but not required. Bar admission not required. Preference shall be given to contractors who are located within the continental United States.

III. Staffing Requirements

The contractor will be responsible for providing technical assistance to users of the URAC Parity Manager Tool, which will include the following, HealthChoice MCOs, the Behavioral Health ASO, and the Dental ASO.

IV. References

Contractor is required to include at least three references of similar work completed related to mental health parity and work performed related to the URAC Parity Manager Tool. Submit at least three professional references within the last three years.

V. Term of Contract

The contract will be in effect for the duration of State Fiscal Year 2027, (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027).

VI. Issuing Officers

Joanna Ruth Health Policy Analyst Advanced Maryland Department of Health 201 W. Preston Street Baltimore, Maryland, 21201 joannae.ruth@maryland.gov

VII. Submission Deadline

To be eligible for consideration, all required documents must be received by the Issuing Officers at the Department by close of business, 5pm EST, on April 17, 2026. All bids must include Federal Tax Identification Numbers. Facilitators mailing proposals must allow for sufficient mail delivery time to ensure timely receipt by the Department. Bids may also be submitted electronically to joannae.ruth@maryland.gov by the specified date and time.

VIII. Procurement Method

The procurement method for this solicitation is a Small Procurement as described in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 21.05.07.

IX. Required Documents

1. Provide the most updated portfolio (list of publications and presentations) with information related to work/projects/presentations completed on mental health parity and Medicaid, CMS compliance requirements, and other related topics, for the individual responsible for installing and providing technical assistance for the Tool. Also, include a rates document when submitting the bid.

2. Submit three (3) professional references within a three (3) year time period.

X. Payment

The Contractor shall invoice with itemizing hours expending and tasks performed in accordance with the rates contained in Attachment A, Bid Form. The Contractor should provide an hourly rate by labor category. The information will be used for evaluation purposes and bid comparisons. Billing under the contract will be for actual hours worked by each individual up to a maximum total bill of $50,000 for the contract. The contractor may not bill for work unless and mailto:joannae.ruth@maryland.gov until such work is specifically requested by the Contractor Monitor. This amount is limited to Small Procurements Category III with a maximum of 50,000. Invoicing shall be directed to:

Joanna E. Ruth Office of Innovation, Research, and Development

Office of Health Care Financing Maryland Department of Health

201 W. Preston Street Baltimore, MD 21201

XI. Termination Clause

The State may terminate this contract at any time and for any reason. Bidders must acknowledge this statement in their response to this Bid Board Notice to be considered an acceptable response.

MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND SMALL BUSINESSES ARE

ENCOURAGED TO RESPOND TO THIS SOLICITATION

ATTACHMENT A

BID FORM

MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Title: CMS Final Rule: Mental Health Parity Act in Maryland Facilitated Discussion

Labor Category Hourly Rate

Principal $

Other $

Bid Price Authorized by:

Name/Title ________________________________________________________________

Signature ______________________________________ Date _______________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip _____________________________________________________________

Federal ID# ________________________________________________________________

Phone Number/Fax Number __________________________________________________

E-Mail Address _____________________________________________________________

(Note: The hourly rate shall be fully loaded; no overtime amounts will be paid. The hourly rate is for evaluation purposes only. The Department does not guarantee a minimum or maximum number of hours in the performance of this Contract. Invoices shall identify services provided by hours worked by deliverable with time sheets as supporting documentation).