Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 832: An Act providing health insurance coverage for scalp and facial hair prostheses

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates health insurance coverage for scalp/facial hair prostheses, expanding medical coverage under healthcare policies per its explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 28, 2025

H 1309: An Act assuring prompt access to health care

HD 538 requires health insurers in Massachusetts to cover routine outpatient medical visits (like check-ups and consultations) without deductibles as part of basic health insurance plans. This applies to all standard insurance plans offered by insurers or third parties, with an exception for tax-exempt plans that would lose federal tax status if deductibles were banned. The law mandates that coverage must follow guidelines developed by the state’s Division of Insurance. It directly affects health insurance companies and policyholders by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for these specific services. The bill does not change existing deductible requirements for other types of medical care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates reimbursement for outpatient evaluations to ensure prompt healthcare access, directly improving patient access to care services.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 866: An Act to protect medically fragile children

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 866) of Cindy F. Friedman and Sean Garballey for legislation to protect medically fragile children. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects medically fragile children via Health Care Financing, directly advancing patient protection and access to specialized care under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 2, 2026

H 3362: An Act relative to requiring premium impact statements

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires disclosure of premium impacts from healthcare regulation changes, enhancing consumer transparency and protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 4, 2025

S 1576: An Act relative to culturally competent and effective health care

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1576) of Liz Miranda for legislation relative to culturally competent and effective health care. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes culturally competent healthcare to improve patient access and care quality, aligning with support indicators like enhancing service effectiveness.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 1286: An Act relative to colorectal and breast cancer screenings

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for colorectal and breast cancer screenings, expanding preventive care access and aligning with healthcare strengthening indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 773: An Act expanding access to mental health services

By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 773) of John F. Keenan for legislation to expand access to mental health services for inpatient treatment. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands access to mental health services for inpatient treatment, directly advancing patient access and supporting mental health services per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 4014: An Act authorizing pharmacists to provide opioid use disorder treatment

This bill requires Massachusetts insurers to cover opioid use disorder treatment provided by pharmacists at rates comparable to other nonphysician health providers. It mandates coverage under group insurance (Chapter 32A), Medicaid plans (Chapter 118E), private health insurance policies (Chapter 175), and hospital service plans (Chapter 176A). Pharmacists must be reimbursed for this service if it aligns with their scope of practice and would be covered if provided by a physician or nurse practitioner. The policy directly affects patients seeking opioid treatment and pharmacists who can now deliver this care with guaranteed insurance reimbursement.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes pharmacists to provide opioid use disorder treatment with insurance coverage, expanding access to substance use disorder care and aligning with healthcare access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 8, 2026

H 1131: An Act expanding access to mental health services

This bill (HD 2218) removes preauthorization requirements for certain mental health services under group insurance for Commonwealth employees and Medicaid coverage. It directly affects state employees insured through group plans and Medicaid beneficiaries by allowing immediate access to services like inpatient psychiatric care, crisis stabilization, and outpatient substance use treatment without prior insurance approval. Key provisions include requiring facilities to notify insurers within three business days of admission (with limited data), while covering services provided before notification. The bill also broadens the definition of "licensed mental health professional" to include more provider types, such as licensed counselors and psychiatric nurse practitioners. These changes aim to streamline access to critical mental health care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to expand mental health service coverage, directly advancing healthcare access as defined in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 8, 2026

H 1319: An Act related to comprehensive clinical and extended support services

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for comprehensive clinical and extended support services, expanding patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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