MA S571

Bill

MA S571

Relative to unfair and deceptive insurance practices

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 relative to unfair and deceptive insurance practices. Financial Services.

AI Summary

This bill aims to address unfair and deceptive practices in the insurance industry in Massachusetts. It prohibits insurance carriers from: (1) limiting healthcare providers' ability to assist patients with insurance claims, including restrictions on medical record access or testimony; (2) threatening healthcare providers, insureds, or their lawyers with criminal charges; (3) purporting to give criminal releases to these parties; and (4) entering into confidential settlement agreements with healthcare providers or lawyers representing insurance claimants. The bill also specifies that medical examinations or reviews conducted for insurance companies are invalid if the examiner was previously used by the insurer or if the insurer provided the examiner with its position on the claim. Additionally, the bill deems insurance company Special Investigations Unit (SIU) investigators as state actors subject to constitutional limitations, with the insurance company vicariously liable for their actions.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (1)

Sal DiDomenico (D),

Last Action

Accompanied a study order, see S2543 (on 02/18/2020)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S571

(8 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S571
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S571.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H1607	For a minimum hourly health improvement wage	Accompanied a study order, see H5123	Similar To
H968	Relative to improving lives by ensuring access to brain injury treatment	Reporting date extended to Thursday December 31, 2020, pending concurrence	Similar To
S1106	Relative to continuation of health insurance in the case of plant closings	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To
S2543	Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on Financial Services to make an investigation and study of certain current Senate documents relative to financial services issues	Discharged to the committee on Senate Rules	Replaced by
S585	To ensure dependent health coverage for adults with disabilities	Ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 10) and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session	Similar To
S590	To require health care coverage for the emergency psychiatric services	Ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 10) and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session	Similar To
S616	Relative to insurance coverage for mammograms and breast cancer screening	Ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 10) and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session	Similar To
S717	To create a special commission to improve transparency and affordability at the Group Insurance Commission	Ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 10) and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session	Similar To

Bill > S571

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary