Healthcare (Telehealth)

introduced · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

HD 5843: A report of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (under Section 109 of Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025) submitting a report from the Massachusetts Telehealth Task Force

This report details the work of the Massachusetts Telehealth Task Force, which was created to study how doctors can legally provide virtual care to patients in other states. The group examined various strategies, such as joining interstate licensing agreements or creating special registration systems, to help physicians maintain continuity of care for mobile patients. The task force analyzed these models to identify ways to remove barriers that currently prevent doctors licensed in Massachusetts from treating patients who travel temporarily outside the state. Ultimately, the document presents findings and recommendations to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing on how to improve access to telehealth services across state lines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill facilitates interstate telehealth access, expanding patient care options and removing barriers for mobile patients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 15, 2026

H 5018: An Act increasing access to acute hospital at home services

H 5018 requires all health insurance policies in Massachusetts - covering group, individual, and hospital service plans - to reimburse hospital-at-home services equally with in-person care. It applies to any policy providing hospital or surgical coverage (excluding Medicare supplemental plans) and mandates coverage for services from hospitals participating in the federal CMS Acute Hospital Care at Home Program. The law ensures insurers pay for these services at the same rate as traditional hospital visits, without additional patient cost-sharing. This affects all Massachusetts health insurers and their policyholders, including Commonwealth employees covered under group insurance. The bill does not create new services but standardizes existing insurance coverage for this care option.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires equal insurance reimbursement for hospital-at-home services vs in-person care, expanding patient access to acute care without coverage barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Telehealth

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 5017: An Act relative to telehealth and digital equity for patients

This bill requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover and reimburse new telehealth services, including e-consults (provider-to-provider digital advice), e-visits (patient-initiated digital check-ins), and remote monitoring of health data. It directly affects patients seeking virtual care, healthcare providers delivering telehealth services, and insurance carriers. Key provisions mandate coverage for these services without extra prior authorization compared to in-person visits, include interpreter services for non-English speakers or Deaf patients, and require insurers to offer digital health literacy programs for patients with low tech skills. The bill also creates a shared portal for applying to affordable broadband programs to support digital access.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for telehealth services, expanding patient access to virtual care without prior authorization barriers95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates insurance coverage for telehealth services including remote monitoring, promoting digital equity in healthcare access95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Telehealth Broadband Access

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 5019: An Act relative to access to health care

This bill requires Massachusetts state employee health plans and Medicaid programs to cover stuttering speech therapy as either habilitative (helping develop skills) or rehabilitative (restoring lost skills) services. It mandates coverage without annual visit limits, restrictions based on the cause of stuttering, or prior authorization. The law also requires coverage for both in-person and telehealth speech therapy services, including all necessary technology compliant with privacy laws. It directly affects Commonwealth employees, retirees, and Medicaid recipients by ensuring access to this specific therapy without typical insurance barriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid/state plans to cover stuttering therapy without visit limits or restrictions, expanding access to speech therapy services as required healthcare coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Telehealth

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 27, 2026

H 4340: An Act relative to telehealth parity for nutrition counseling

H 4340 requires health insurance plans and providers to pay the same rate for telehealth nutrition counseling as they do for in-person sessions. It specifically applies to licensed dietitians/nutritionists providing medical nutrition therapy (nutrition care for disease prevention, management, or treatment) via video or phone calls. The bill mandates equal reimbursement rates for telehealth services under most health insurance policies, including employer plans and hospital service corporations, ensuring providers aren’t penalized for offering virtual care. This directly affects dietitians/nutritionists and insurers covering these services in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance reimbursement for telehealth nutrition counseling, improving patient access to medical nutrition therapy services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health Telehealth

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 716: An Act relative to telehealth parity for nutrition counseling

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 716) of Julian Cyr for legislation relative to telehealth parity for nutrition counseling. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates telehealth parity for nutrition counseling, ensuring equal insurance coverage as in-person visits, expanding patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2222: An Act establishing a commission to study quality & accessibility to telehealth

HD 1239 establishes a 10-member commission to study telehealth quality and accessibility for Massachusetts residents. The commission will assess current policies for expanding telehealth access (including out-of-state providers) and evaluate safety/quality standards for providers like doctors and therapists. It will hold public hearings and submit recommendations with draft legislation to the state legislature by December 2026. This bill directly affects residents seeking telehealth services and healthcare providers operating within Massachusetts, but does not change existing telehealth laws itself. The commission includes appointments from the governor, Senate, House, and mental health organizations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes commission to study telehealth quality/accessibility, directly addressing healthcare access improvement with mental health focus, aligning with support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Telehealth

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 28, 2025

H 1288: An Act relative to telehealth parity for nutrition counseling

This bill requires insurance companies and healthcare organizations to pay the same rate for virtual (video or phone) medical nutrition therapy as in-person sessions. It directly affects licensed dietitians/nutritionists who provide counseling for disease prevention, management, or treatment, and the insurers or health plans covering these services. The key provision mandates equal reimbursement rates for telehealth and in-person nutrition counseling under specific insurance coverage rules. This policy change aims to ensure consistent access to nutrition care without financial barriers for patients using telehealth options.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance coverage for telehealth nutrition counseling, expanding access to healthcare services and aligning with parity principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 763: An Act relative to telehealth and digital equity for patients

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 763) of Adam Gomez, Lindsay N. Sabadosa, Manny Cruz, Sal N. DiDomenico and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to telehealth and digital equity for patients. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands telehealth access and ensures digital equity, improving patient access to healthcare services per title and summary.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes digital equity for telehealth access, advancing technology accessibility and internet inclusion for patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

H 1130: An Act relative to telehealth and digital equity for patients

This bill expands telehealth coverage and digital access for Massachusetts residents. It requires health insurers to cover virtual visits, digital consultations, remote patient monitoring, and related devices at the same rate as in-person care. The bill also creates a shared application portal for affordable broadband programs and mandates insurers to provide interpreter services and digital literacy support for patients with limited English proficiency or low tech skills. These provisions directly affect patients, healthcare providers, and insurers across Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes telehealth access via digital equity, enhancing patient access to healthcare services and addressing digital barriers in healthcare delivery.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly promotes digital equity for telehealth access, directly advancing equitable technology and internet access for patients per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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