MA H1710

Bill

Providing for efficient access to mental health services

Introduced
01/22/2019

In Committee
01/22/2019

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

191st General Court

Bill Summary

For legislation to increase access to treatment for behavioral health disorders. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

AI Summary

This bill aims to increase access to behavioral health treatment, including counseling and applied behavior analysis, by requiring insurance providers to continue covering existing patients' treatment even if the provider's contract is not renewed. The bill defines "behavioral health treatment" and specifies that insurers must provide 180-day notice before non-renewing a provider's contract, and must demonstrate that any lawful communication about regulations or statutes did not factor into the non-renewal decision. The provisions apply to various insurance policies, contracts, and certificates issued or renewed after the effective date of the bill.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (9)

Marjorie Decker (D), Nika Elugardo (D), Carmine Gentile (D), Carlos González (D), Jim Hawkins (D), Russell Holmes (D), David LeBoeuf (D), Jim O'Day (D), José Tosado (D),

Last Action

Accompanied a study order, see H4450 (on 02/20/2020)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1710

(10 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1710
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1710.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H1143	Relative to funding the Behavioral Health Workforce Development Trust Fund	Accompanied a study order, see H4450	Similar To
H1159	Requiring MassHealth behavioral health care carve out contracts to be subject to the freedom of information statute	Reporting date extended to Thursday December 31, 2020, pending concurrence	Similar To
H1160	Relative to behavioral health emergency services	Reporting date extended to Thursday December 31, 2020, pending concurrence	Similar To
H1704	Establishing a behavioral health workforce development trust fund	Accompanied a study order, see H4450	Similar To
H1705	Relative to expanding access and safety of mental health services	Accompanied a study order, see H4450	Similar To
H4450	Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery	Reported, in part, by H1745	Replaced by
H980	To improve child and adolescent mental health services	Accompanied a study order, see H5160	Similar To
S1120	Relative to the repayment of student loans for mental and behavioral healthcare workers	Accompanied a study order, see S2541	Similar To
S656	Relative to transparency for mental health parity	Accompanied a study order, see S2543	Similar To
S730	To require equitable access to behavioral health services for MassHealth consumers	Ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 10) and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session	Similar To

Bill > H1710

MA H1710

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (9)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary