MA H487

Bill

Relative to the transparency of mental health benefits

Introduced
01/23/2017

In Committee
01/23/2017

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
12/31/2018

Introduced Session

190th General Court

Bill Summary

Relative to the disclosure of certain data by behavioral health management firms and other third party administrators. Financial Services.

AI Summary

This bill aims to improve the transparency of mental health benefits in Massachusetts. It requires health insurance companies that provide behavioral health services, including those that use third-party administrators or behavioral health management firms, to report comprehensive data to the Health Policy Commission's Office of Patient Protection. This includes information on denials of service, provider network size and composition, payment rates, and geographic sampling mechanisms used to determine provider payments. The bill also establishes a system for insured individuals to report unsuccessful attempts to schedule appointments with providers in the insurer's network, and requires insurers to publicly disclose the terms of their contracts with third-party administrators for behavioral and mental health coverage.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (5)

Ruth Balser (D), Ken Gordon (D), Paul Heroux (D), Kay Khan (D), Denise Provost (D),

Last Action

Accompanied a study order, see H4778 (on 07/18/2018)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H487

(7 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H487
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H487.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H1061	Relative to expanding access and safety of mental health services	Accompanied a study order, see H4710	Similar To
H1065	Relative to creating intensive stabilization and treatment units within the Department of Mental Health	Accompanied a study order, see H4528	Similar To
H110	Relative to ensuring the safety of residents of facilities under the authority of the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Developmental Services	Accompanied a study order, see H4792	Similar To
H2193	To limit retroactive denials of health insurance claims for mental health and substance abuse services	Accompanied a new draft, see H4315	Similar To
H4778	Financial services	Discharged to the committee on House Rules	Replaced by
S2112	Relative to the promotion of mental health education in Massachusetts high schools	No further action taken	Similar To
S582	To limit retroactive denials of health insurance claims for mental health and substance abuse services	Accompanied a new draft, see S2403	Similar To

Bill > H487

MA H487

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

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