Bill > H1142

This bill aims to promote equitable reimbursement and access to patient care by establishing consistent treatment of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) across various healthcare systems and insurance providers in Massachusetts. The legislation mandates that state-regulated health insurance plans, including the state employee health commission, Medicaid managed care organizations, individual and group insurance policies, hospital service plans, and health maintenance organizations, cannot discriminate against CRNAs when it comes to participation, coverage, and payment. Specifically, the bill requires these entities to reimburse CRNAs at the same rate as physicians for equivalent services, provided the CRNA is practicing within their licensed scope of practice. The bill also stipulates that claims must include the National Provider Identifier of the service provider and prevents insurance providers from reducing physician reimbursement rates to comply with the new CRNA reimbursement requirements. Furthermore, the legislation allows CRNAs to fulfill physician authorization requirements for anesthesia services and ensures that quality and performance measures are applied equally to both physicians and CRNAs. This bill represents a significant step towards recognizing the professional capabilities of advanced practice registered nurses and ensuring they are compensated fairly for their medical services.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1142