Bill > S883

This bill amends Chapter 118E of the General Laws to protect Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMBs) from improper billing by healthcare providers. Specifically, the bill prohibits Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and MassHealth providers from billing QMB-eligible beneficiaries for Medicare Part A or Part B cost-sharing, which includes deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance. Providers who violate this prohibition will be subject to sanctions, which the division must establish within 90 days of the law taking effect. These sanctions can include monetary fines, but the regulations will also consider mitigating factors such as clerical errors or good-faith mistakes. The bill aims to ensure that low-income Medicare beneficiaries in the QMB eligibility group are not inappropriately charged for medical expenses that should be covered under federal and state law, providing additional financial protection for a vulnerable population.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S883