Bill > S2769

This bill, titled "Putting Patients First", aims to expand access to telemedicine services and make several changes to the regulation of healthcare practitioners in Massachusetts. Key provisions include: - Establishing a process for the Health Policy Commission to recommend noncontracted commercial rates for emergency and non-emergency healthcare services provided by out-of-network providers. These rates would then be reviewed and implemented by the Division of Insurance. - Requiring state health insurance programs and plans to cover healthcare services delivered via telehealth to the same extent as in-person services, with some limitations on relying solely on telehealth providers for network adequacy. - Expanding the scope of practice for certain advanced practice nurses, including nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists, to allow them to independently order tests, prescribe medications, and provide other services. - Establishing a new dental therapist profession with the ability to perform certain dental procedures under the supervision of a dentist. - Making various other changes to the regulation of controlled substances, the scope of practice for optometrists, and requirements for healthcare provider price transparency.

Senate Committee on Ways and Means (S)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2769