Bill > H2234

This bill establishes five regional pilot programs across Massachusetts to explore alternative transportation methods for behavioral health patients. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will design these programs to promote non-emergency medical transport for individuals requiring behavioral health interventions. The programs will involve consultation with existing hospital-based behavioral health treatment providers, and MassHealth along with its contracted insurers and health plans will be required to provide reimbursement for transportation services offered by pilot participants. Additionally, the health policy commission, in collaboration with the center for health information and analysis and the executive office of health and human services, will collect data and study the pilot's effectiveness. This study will evaluate various aspects of the alternative transportation model, including patient transfer times, patient treatment experience, cost-effectiveness, and resource utilization compared to traditional ambulance transport. The analysis will also examine MassHealth reimbursement for these services and develop recommendations for establishing reimbursement rates in both Medicaid and commercial healthcare markets.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2234