Bill > S573

This bill amends Chapter 32A of the General Laws to establish a smoking and tobacco use cessation treatment benefit for active and retired employees of the Commonwealth who are insured under the group insurance commission, which is the entity that manages health insurance for state employees. This new benefit, to be covered at least twice per year, will include screening for tobacco use, coverage for at least 90 days of all Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications used to help quit smoking or tobacco use per attempt, and coverage for at least 300 minutes of counseling, which can be individual, group, or telephone-based, provided by a physician, a certified tobacco use cessation counselor, or another qualified healthcare professional. Importantly, the bill prohibits cost-sharing, meaning employees will not have to pay deductibles or copayments for these services, and also prohibits prior authorization requirements, which are pre-approval steps often needed for medical treatments.