H 4897 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act improving access to community behavioral health centers

H 4897 requires most health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover "behavioral health bundled services" from licensed community behavioral health centers on equal terms. This applies to group insurance for Commonwealth employees (active and retired), individual accident/sickness policies, hospital service plans, and health maintenance contracts. The bill mandates that these plans provide nondiscriminatory coverage for medically necessary mental health, developmental, or substance use disorder care delivered through defined community centers. It directly affects insured individuals and insurers by standardizing coverage requirements across multiple insurance types. The law applies to policies issued or renewed within or outside Massachusetts.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 8, 2026 Last action Jul 9, 2026
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Jan 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
lower
Jan 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from the committee on Financial Services
lower
0 primary · 3 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.