HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 463        FILED ON: 1/11/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1783

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Ruth B. Balser

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to promote efficient access to mental health services.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Ruth B. Balser

12th Middlesex

 

Brian A. Joyce

Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth

1/16/2013

James M. Cantwell

4th Plymouth

 

Colleen M. Garry

36th Middlesex

 

Denise Andrews

2nd Franklin

 

Paul R. Heroux

2nd Bristol

 


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 463        FILED ON: 1/11/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1783

By Ms. Balser of Newton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1783) of Ruth B. Balser and others relative to promoting efficient access to mental health services.  Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 2876 OF 2011-2012.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

_______________

 

An Act to promote efficient access to mental health services.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Behavioral Health plans must give no fewer than 180 days notice to behavioral health providers of any decision to not renew a contract. 

Further, Health Plans must show cause for not renewing provider contracts, and must demonstrate that any lawful communication concerning regulations and statutes that effect service delivery is not a factor in said non-renewal.

Further, should a Behavioral Health Plan not renew a behavioral health provider contract, said plan must continue to cover payment for an existing patient receiving services prior to the termination date of the contract, until such treatment is no longer medically necessary consistent with terms of contract in place at the time of non-renewal and usual and customary utilization management processes.

Further, Behavioral Health Providers shall not be prohibited from collecting any portion of a deductible for services rendered at the time of service.