This bill requires health insurance policies in Massachusetts to cover scalp hair prostheses and facial medical pigmentation (like eyebrow replacements) for specific conditions. It directly affects individuals who have lost scalp or facial hair due to cancer/leukemia treatment, alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, non-classical 21-hydroxylase deficiency, or injury - not natural aging. Insurance must cover these items on a nondiscriminatory basis, subject to a physician’s written statement confirming medical necessity, and at a minimum equal to coverage for chemo-related hair loss. The bill amends multiple insurance law sections to mandate this coverage without expanding government programs.
HD 1298 requires Massachusetts state agencies to create and file a "premium impact statement" before changing health insurance regulations, explaining how the change would affect insurance rates. The statement must be publicly shared for comment, and agencies must update it before finalizing any regulation. Additionally, legislative committees must wait for a premium impact statement from the Center for Health Information and Analysis before advancing any health insurance-related bills. This bill directly affects state agencies creating health insurance rules and legislative committees reviewing health policy. It aims to ensure health insurance cost impacts are formally analyzed and considered before regulations or bills are adopted.
This bill requires all health insurance plans sold in Massachusetts to cover colorectal and breast cancer screenings without cost-sharing. Specifically, it prohibits deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance for both the initial screening (like a colonoscopy or mammogram) and any additional screenings ordered by a doctor within the same policy year. The law applies to all individual and group health insurance plans, including employer-sponsored coverage and state employee plans. It directly affects insured Massachusetts residents by ensuring these preventive screenings are fully covered at no out-of-pocket cost.
This bill (HD 375) requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover specific addiction treatment services without preauthorization. It defines "transitional support services" (short-term residential care after stabilization) and mandates coverage for up to 30 days of acute treatment, clinical stabilization, and transitional support services for:
1) Active or retired Commonwealth employees with group insurance, and
2) All insured individuals under Medicaid and general health plans.
Facilities must notify insurers within 48 hours of admission and provide discharge plans, with utilization reviews allowed only after 14 days (and not restricting future care unless 30+ consecutive days are provided). Medical necessity is determined by the treating clinician, not insurers.
This bill (HD 1965) would require all health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover treatment for vitiligo as a chronic autoimmune disease, including mental health services related to the condition. It directly affects individuals with vitiligo who have health insurance through the state's group insurance program, Medicaid managed care plans, or private health insurance policies. The law mandates that coverage must be provided for both physical treatments and mental health care connected to vitiligo, applying to all health insurance policies sold or renewed in Massachusetts. This change would ensure consistent coverage for vitiligo treatment across public and private insurance plans without requiring separate applications or approvals for this specific condition.
This bill requires health insurance policies (including group plans, hospital services, and health maintenance contracts) to cover medically necessary treatments for students with disabilities, as specified in their individual education plans or similar federal special education documents. It directly affects students with disabilities whose care is outlined in these plans and their families, ensuring insurers cannot deny coverage based on disability. The law mandates that all qualifying insurance policies issued or renewed after January 1, 2024, provide equal coverage for these treatments without discrimination. It applies broadly to all relevant insurance products under Massachusetts law, aligning with existing federal special education requirements.
This bill requires all health insurance policies covering infantile cataract surgery in Massachusetts to include coverage for aphakic lenses (lenses needed after cataract surgery) and related prosthetic contact lenses or glasses, as determined medically necessary by a physician. It directly affects children diagnosed with infantile cataracts and their families, ensuring insurance coverage for essential post-surgery vision correction. The law mandates this coverage across multiple insurance regulatory chapters, overriding any existing policy exclusions. It focuses on concrete policy changes by requiring insurers to cover these specific treatments without additional patient cost for medically necessary items.
This bill requires all health insurance plans sold in Massachusetts - including state employee group plans, individual policies, and hospital service agreements - to cover biennial echocardiograms (heart screenings) and concussion analysis for children aged 5 to 18. It directly affects insurers and policyholders by mandating this specific preventive care coverage for youth. The key provision adds new requirements to multiple chapters of state law, ensuring consistent coverage across all medical insurance types in the commonwealth. The policy change focuses on making these screenings accessible without out-of-pocket costs for families.
This bill requires health insurance policies in Massachusetts to cover medically necessary tattoos when a physician deems them necessary. It defines "medical tattoo" as one used for skin restoration, concealing surface defects, or marking treatment sites. Insurance plans must provide this coverage, with the insurance commissioner tasked to create implementing regulations. The law directly affects patients needing such tattoos for medical reasons and all health insurance providers operating in the state.
By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 759) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation to redirect excessive health insurer reserves to support health care needs. Financial Services.
