An Act ensuring protections for physicians and hospitals that contract with Medicaid managed care organizations

This bill aims to protect physicians and hospitals in Massachusetts by changing how they negotiate payment rates with Medicaid managed care organizations. It mandates that reimbursement rates for medical services must be negotiated directly between providers and these organizations, rather than being set by contracts between the state and the organizations. Additionally, the legislation prevents the state from forcing hospitals to accept specific fee-for-service rates for non-emergency care when those hospitals are already part of a managed care network. These changes apply to acute and non-acute hospitals, accountable care organizations, and dual-eligible health plans, ensuring that provider compensation is determined through direct negotiation instead of state-imposed limits.