MedicaidAdministrativeHigh impact
Updated Procedures for Professional Service and Laboratory Preauthorizations
Maryland Medicaid·MD·Provider Transmittal
Effective date
Dec 5, 2021
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
Maryland Medicaid has implemented an emergency procedure change requiring all preauthorization requests for professional services (including drugs, high-cost injectables, and surgeries) and laboratory services to be submitted via secure email to mdh.preauthfax@maryland.gov instead of fax, effective immediately due to a December 4, 2021 network security incident. Faxes submitted on or after December 5, 2021 must be resubmitted to the email address.
Action Required
Immediately: Billing team and administrative staff must discontinue faxing preauthorization requests to (410)767-6034 and transition all professional service and laboratory preauthorization submissions to secure email at mdh.preauthfax@maryland.gov. Update billing workflows, staff instructions, and system templates to reflect the new email-based submission process. Identify and resubmit any preauthorization requests faxed on or after December 5, 2021 to the secure email address. Train all staff responsible for prior authorization submissions (billing, coding, clinical) on the new process. Consequences: Preauthorization requests sent via fax will not be processed, resulting in claim denials and service delays for Maryland Medicaid patients.