S 616 Massachusetts Senate · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act relating to patient cost, benefit and coverage information, choice, and price transparency

This Massachusetts bill requires health plans and pharmacy benefit managers to provide patients, doctors, and family members with real-time information about prescription drug costs and coverage. Upon request, these entities must supply current data on eligibility, clinically appropriate alternatives, specific out-of-pocket expenses across different pharmacies, and any usage restrictions like prior authorization. The law mandates that this information be delivered immediately in standard electronic formats, ensuring that individuals can make informed decisions about their medication choices without relying on non-standard or proprietary systems.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
House Passage
Feb 2023
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action Mar 14, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 16, 2023
House · Passed
House concurred
Feb 16, 2023
Senate · Referred to committee
Referred to the committee on Financial Services
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Julian Cyr
Julian Cyr
DDemocratic
MA
Cape and Islands