Bill > H1198

This bill aims to improve patient access to non-emergency medical transportation by establishing new requirements for insurance providers and state health programs across multiple chapters of Massachusetts law. The bill mandates that any prior authorization for non-emergency ambulance and wheelchair van transportation for specific medical services (including dialysis treatment, behavioral health services, and post-acute care) must be valid for a minimum of 3 business days. Additionally, the bill requires MassHealth and its contracted health insurers to pay eligible providers and non-public ambulance service providers at least 2.5 times the standard determined rates for specified transportation services. The legislation applies to various types of health coverage, including Medicaid, hospital service plans, medical service agreements, and health maintenance contracts. As part of implementation, the bill also calls for the health policy commission to conduct a study on the adequacy of reimbursement rates for non-emergency medical transportation, examining factors such as minimum wage increases and workforce sustainability in the emergency medical service industry. This comprehensive approach seeks to address transportation barriers for patients requiring specialized medical services by ensuring more flexibility in authorization and improving compensation for transportation providers.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1198