Bill > S703

This bill aims to improve access to community behavioral health services by requiring various types of health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover "behavioral health bundled services" from licensed community behavioral health centers on a non-discriminatory basis. Specifically, the bill defines "behavioral health bundled services" as comprehensive mental health, developmental, and substance use disorder services (including evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, care coordination, management, and peer support) that are reimbursed at a flat rate per encounter. The bill applies to multiple types of health insurance, including group insurance for state employees, individual and group accident and sickness insurance, hospital service plans, medical service agreements, and health maintenance contracts. By mandating coverage across these different insurance types, the bill seeks to ensure that active and retired state employees, as well as other insured individuals, can access medically necessary behavioral health services through community behavioral health centers that are licensed by the department of public health and regulated under specific state guidelines.

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

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S703