This bill submits the Department of Public Health's annual report on the Vaccine Purchase Trust Fund for fiscal year 2024 to the Massachusetts General Court. The fund finances the state's universal purchase and distribution system for routine childhood immunizations, ensuring that children under 19 have access to recommended vaccines through their healthcare providers. During the reported period, the fund collected $208 million from health insurance surcharges and spent $138 million on vaccine purchases and registry maintenance. The report details a significant increase in costs driven by the addition of new vaccines for COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, as well as catch-up vaccinations following the pandemic.
This bill requires every high school in Massachusetts that offers interscholastic athletic activities to employ a licensed athletic trainer who has completed annual head injury safety training. It also mandates that health insurance plans reimburse services provided by licensed athletic trainers with a physician's referral, ensuring these costs are not more restrictive than those for other comparable health care providers.
This bill requires the Massachusetts Health Connector to submit an annual report on the ConnectorCare Expansion Pilot program for fiscal year 2026. The report will detail the program's progress and outcomes, which aim to expand health insurance eligibility to individuals earning up to a specific percentage of the federal poverty level. By placing this report on file, the legislature ensures that officials and the public have access to data on how the pilot is performing. The measure is administrative in nature and does not create new laws or change eligibility rules directly.
This bill expands health insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices in Massachusetts to ensure equitable access for people with limb loss or differences. It mandates that insurance plans cover specialized equipment designed for physical activities like swimming or biking, removes discriminatory barriers to coverage based on disability, and requires networks to include at least two distinct providers for these services. Additionally, the legislation simplifies the process for replacing devices by allowing replacements based on medical necessity rather than strict time limits, provided repairs would cost more than 60% of a new device. These changes directly affect state employees and other insured individuals, aiming to improve their ability to perform daily life activities and maintain physical function.
Report of the Health Policy Commission (pursuant to Chapter 343 of the Acts of 2024) submitting fifth report and recommendations to assess the impact of health plan design on patient access to primary care services
Senate, May 26, 2026 -- The committee on Health Care Financing to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 889) of Paul W. Mark for legislation relative to single payer healthcare benchmarking and reporting, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 3071).
This bill requires MassHealth to submit an annual report on mental health parity for the fiscal year 2025, as mandated by state law. The report will detail how the healthcare program ensures equal coverage for mental health services compared to physical health services. By placing the document on file, the legislation makes this compliance data publicly available for review. The measure directly affects MassHealth administrators and the state's oversight of mental health insurance benefits.
This bill aims to improve the sustainability of birth centers and the midwifery workforce by ensuring that midwives receive payment rates equal to those of physicians for the same services. It directly affects certified nurse-midwives and licensed certified professional midwives who provide care to employees of the Commonwealth and individuals covered by various health insurance plans. The key mechanism requires insurance companies, Medicaid managed care organizations, and other health plans to pay midwifery services at rates no lower than what would be paid if a doctor performed them, regardless of where the care is given. Additionally, the legislation mandates that these payment standards apply to both prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum care provided by midwives. By establishing these parity rules across different types of insurance and service agreements, the bill seeks to support the financial viability of midwifery practices.
This bill creates a special legislative commission to study perimenopause and menopause care across Massachusetts, with 19 members representing diverse health, community, and advocacy organizations. The commission will collect data on care access and disparities, evaluate insurance coverage and treatment options, identify gaps in medical education for providers, and submit a report with recommendations by December 2027. Additionally, the state Department of Public Health will develop public education materials in multiple languages about menopause symptoms and treatments, provide training for healthcare workers, and support research on causes and therapies. The bill also establishes September as Perimenopause Awareness Month to increase public understanding of this life stage.
This bill establishes minimum payment rates for psychiatric collaborative care services across multiple types of health insurance and programs in Massachusetts, including Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and health maintenance organizations. It requires these payers to reimburse providers for specific psychiatric collaborative care billing codes at rates equal to or higher than the current Medicare fee schedule, with provisions for annual adjustments. The law applies to all contracts entered into, renewed, or amended on or after January 1, 2027, and includes a list of specific billing codes that must be covered while allowing insurance regulators to add additional codes through future regulations. The bill aims to standardize reimbursement practices for mental health care services delivered through collaborative models across different insurance systems.
