HD 550 requires health insurance coverage for eligible municipal employees to become effective on their first day of employment or the date they enroll (within 10 days of starting), whichever is later. This directly affects new municipal employees who choose to enroll in the group health insurance plan. The bill mandates that the Group Insurance Commission create specific rules to implement this change within three months of the law taking effect. The key provision removes delays in coverage for employees who sign up promptly after hiring.
HD 2251 requires all health insurance plans in Massachusetts - covering Commonwealth employees, Medicaid members, private accident/sickness policies, and health maintenance organizations - to cover FDA-approved epinephrine injectors (like EpiPens) without higher out-of-pocket costs than other prescribed medications. The bill applies to weight-based dosages and mandates that insurers cannot impose stricter deductibles, copays, or coinsurance for these injectors compared to other drugs. It directly affects individuals with severe allergies who rely on epinephrine for emergencies, ensuring consistent access to life-saving medication through existing insurance coverage. The law updates multiple insurance chapters to standardize this coverage requirement across all major health plan types in the state.
By Representative Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1248) of Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Natalie M. Blais and Lindsay N. Sabadosa relative to protections and health insurance coverage for living organ donors. Financial Services.
By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 789) of Liz Miranda for legislation relative to insurance coverage for doula services. Financial Services.
By Representative Kerans of Danvers, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1223) of Sally P. Kerans and Kristin E. Kassner relative to providing health insurance coverage for scalp and facial hair prosthesis. Financial Services.
HD 303 prohibits insurers from claiming reimbursement or placing liens on personal injury settlement payments for medical costs already covered by the insurer. It directly affects individuals who settle claims for injuries, malpractice, or wrongful death, and insurers (including health insurance companies, medical service plans, and health maintenance organizations). The bill creates a legal presumption that such settlements exclude costs paid by insurers, blocking any future subrogation claims or reimbursement demands from the insurer. Violating this provision would be considered an unfair insurance practice under state law.
This bill limits health and disability insurers' ability to seek reimbursement from accident victims' settlements. It states that insurers can only claim back the proportion of their paid medical benefits relative to the total injury damages, not the full settlement amount. The bill also creates a court process where either the insurer or the injured person can request a judge to review settlement fairness and allocate payments appropriately. It directly affects individuals who receive medical coverage through insurers and are involved in accident claims. This changes how insurers can recover costs from settlements, aligning private insurance practices with public policy.
HD 1877 requires Massachusetts health insurance companies to count all payments toward deductibles, copays, and coinsurance (including payments made by others on behalf of the insured) toward the insured's annual out-of-pocket maximum. It also mandates that insurers include all covered health services within essential health benefits when calculating this annual limit. The bill applies to health plans entered into, amended, extended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The Massachusetts Insurance Commission may create rules to implement these changes.
This bill amends Massachusetts health insurance laws to change coverage rules for surviving spouses of deceased or retired state employees. It removes language requiring coverage termination upon remarriage (affecting those who remarried before the law took effect) and shifts premium costs: the government now pays half the premium, with the surviving spouse covering the other half. The changes apply only prospectively, meaning no retroactive coverage is provided to those who lost coverage due to remarriage before the bill's effective date. These updates directly impact surviving spouses who were previously required to pay full premiums or lose coverage if they remarried.
By Mr. Driscoll, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 728) of William J. Driscoll, Jr. relative to step therapy and in vitro fertilization insurance coverage. Financial Services.
