Bill > S1534

This bill aims to protect the independence of clinical decision-making by establishing clear guidelines for health care practices in Massachusetts. The legislation defines key terms such as "clinician," "health care practice," and "management services organization," and sets forth specific requirements for the ownership and operation of health care practices. Under the bill, health care practices must be owned and controlled by clinicians with independent practice authority, such as physicians or nurse practitioners, and can be organized as various types of business entities. The bill prohibits non-clinicians from owning health care practices and prevents entities that provide compensation to clinicians from interfering with professional medical judgment. Specifically, the legislation bars entities from controlling or directing clinical decisions, including patient treatment time, discharge decisions, diagnostic terminology, and clinical orders. The bill requires health care practices to provide written certifications to the Board of Registration in Medicine or Nursing, file registration applications, and designate a medical director. Management services organizations are restricted from exercising control over critical aspects of medical practice, such as medical records, personnel decisions, and billing procedures. Violations of these provisions would constitute unauthorized practice of medicine or nursing, with potential penalties and voided contractual provisions.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1534