Bill > H4935

This bill authorizes the state commissioner to designate contagious and infectious diseases of heightened public health importance, and for such designated diseases, it prohibits insurance plans, health coverage, and medical assistance programs from charging cost sharing (which includes co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles) or requiring utilization review (such as prior authorization or step therapy) for any health care service related to the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of these diseases, with an exception for plans that would lose their tax-exempt status under the Federal Internal Revenue Code. The commissioner is required to notify relevant state agencies, including the Group Insurance Commission and the Division of Insurance, to enforce these provisions, and to inform the public health council, healthcare institutions, providers, and consumers, while also maintaining a publicly accessible list of designated diseases that is reviewed annually. This measure amends various chapters of Massachusetts General Laws to ensure these protections apply to different types of health coverage, including group health insurance for state employees, medical assistance programs, individual and group accident and sickness insurance policies, hospital service plans, medical service agreements, health maintenance contracts, and preferred provider contracts.

Health and Social Services

Joint Committee on Financial Services (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4935