Bill > S802

This bill requires various health insurance providers in Massachusetts, including the Group Insurance Commission, health insurers, hospital service plans, medical service agreements, and health maintenance organizations, to cover preventive behavioral health services for children under 21 years old. These services include up to six sessions of short-term interventions in individual, family, or group settings designed to help children develop coping skills for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other emotional concerns. The services can be provided by licensed behavioral health clinicians or supervised trainees in settings such as pediatric primary care, community-based outpatient clinics, and schools. Notably, these services would be covered without patient cost-sharing, though an exception exists for plans that might lose tax-exempt status due to free coverage. The bill also allows providers to use alternative diagnosis codes, including Social Determinants of Health Z-codes, when submitting claims. The Division of Insurance, in consultation with the Office of Medicaid, is tasked with developing implementation guidance for this new coverage requirement. The goal of the bill is to provide early intervention and support for children's mental health before conditions potentially become more serious.

Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S802