An Act relative to dual diagnosis treatment coverage

This bill (H 4898) requires Massachusetts health insurers and Medicaid to cover specific addiction and mental health treatment services without preauthorization. It defines three key services: "acute treatment" (24-hour medically supervised addiction care), "clinical stabilization" (post-detox recovery support), and "co-occurring treatment" (inpatient psychiatric care for dual diagnosis). The law mandates coverage for up to 14 days for clinical stabilization and co-occurring services, with facilities required to notify insurers within 48 hours of admission. It directly affects Commonwealth employees (via Group Insurance Commission), Medicaid beneficiaries, and private insurers offering hospital/surgical coverage in Massachusetts. Medical necessity is determined by clinicians, not insurers, streamlining access to critical early recovery care.