MA S555

Bill

Relative to the continuity of care of mental health treatment

Introduced
01/22/2019

In Committee
07/23/2020

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

191st General Court

Bill Summary

For legislation relative to the continuity of care for mental health treatment. Financial Services.

AI Summary

This bill aims to ensure the continuity of mental health care treatment for patients. It defines a "continuing course of treatment" as having at least one visit in the past four months for the same or similar mental health diagnosis or symptoms. The bill requires health insurance carriers to allow patients who are engaged in a continuing course of treatment with an out-of-network mental health provider to continue that treatment, with the carrier reimbursing the provider at the usual in-network rate and limiting any additional costs or copayments for the patient. The bill also makes some technical amendments to existing law regarding the treatment of out-of-network providers.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (5)

Ruth Balser (D), Jo Comerford (D), Mindy Domb (D), Jamie Eldridge (D), Walter Timilty (D),

Last Action

Ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 10) and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session (on 07/23/2020)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S555

(9 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S555
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S555.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H1022	Relative to the treatment of infantile cataracts	Accompanied a study order, see H5160	Similar To
H1050	Relative to ensuring treatment for genetic craniofacial conditions	Accompanied a study order, see H5160	Similar To
H1115	Relative to the care and treatment of patients with mitochondrial disease	Accompanied a study order, see H5160	Similar To
H1116	Relative to ensuring treatment for genetic craniofacial conditions	Accompanied a study order, see H5160	Similar To
H1719	Relative to creating intensive stabilization and treatment units within the Department of Mental Health	Accompanied S1153	Similar To
H907	Relative to the continuity of care of mental health treatment	Reporting date extended to Thursday December 31, 2020, pending concurrence	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
S1148	Relative to medical necessity for mental health acute treatment	Committee recommended ought to pass and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To
S1163	Relative to creating intensive stabilization and treatment units within the Department of Mental Health	Ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 10) and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session	Similar To

Bill > S555

MA S555

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary