Bill > S697

This bill aims to increase access to nurse-midwifery services by requiring various types of health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover services provided by certified nurse midwives under the same conditions and reimbursement rates as those for licensed physicians. Specifically, the bill mandates that state employee group insurance, individual and group hospital service plans, medical service plans, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) must provide coverage for services rendered by nurse midwives who are designated by the board of registration in nursing, as long as the services are within the midwife's authorized scope of practice and the plan already provides benefits for identical services from other licensed healthcare providers. A key provision is that insurers cannot reduce physician reimbursement rates to comply with this requirement, ensuring that nurse midwives are compensated at the same rate as physicians for equivalent services. This legislation seeks to improve healthcare access and options for patients by recognizing the professional expertise of certified nurse midwives and removing potential financial barriers to their practice.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S697