HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1236        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 956

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Theodore C. Speliotis

_________________

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 relative to Lyme Disease treatment coverage.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Theodore C. Speliotis

13th Essex

1/15/2015

John V. Fernandes

10th Worcester

9/9/2019

William Smitty Pignatelli

4th Berkshire

9/9/2019

Timothy R. Madden

Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket

9/9/2019

James J. Dwyer

30th Middlesex

9/9/2019

Jonathan D. Zlotnik

2nd Worcester

9/9/2019

Joan B.  Lovely

Second Essex

9/9/2019

David M. Rogers

24th Middlesex

9/9/2019

Robert L. Hedlund

Plymouth and Norfolk

9/9/2019

Carole A. Fiola

6th Bristol

9/9/2019

Sean Garballey

23rd Middlesex

9/9/2019

Brian R. Mannal

2nd Barnstable

9/9/2019


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1236        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 956

By Mr. Speliotis of Danvers, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 956) of Theodore C. Speliotis and others relative to Lyme disease treatment coverage.  Financial Services.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

_______________

 

An Act relative to Lyme Disease treatment coverage.

 

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 32A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition,  is hereby amended by inserting after section 17K the following section:-

Section 17L. Any coverage offered by the commission to an active or retired employee of the commonwealth insured under the group insurance commission that provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment shall provide coverage for Lyme disease therapy.

SECTION 2. Chapter 175 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after section 47DD, the following section:-

Section 47EE. Any policy, contract, agreement, plan or certificate of insurance issued, delivered or renewed within the commonwealth that provides medical expense coverage shall provide coverage for diagnostic testing and long-term antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease when determined to be medically necessary and ordered by a physician after making a thorough evaluation of the patient’s symptoms, diagnostic test results and response to therapy.  Therapy otherwise eligible for benefits pursuant to this section shall not be denied solely because such therapy may be characterized as unproven, experimental, or investigational in nature.

SECTION 3. Chapter 176A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after section 8FF the following section:-

Section 8GG. Any contract between a subscriber and the corporation under an individual or group hospital service plan which is delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide coverage for diagnostic testing and long-term antibiotic therapy for Lyme disease when determined to be medically necessary and ordered by a physician after making a thorough evaluation of the patient’s symptoms, diagnostic test results and response to therapy. Therapy otherwise eligible for benefits pursuant to this section shall not be denied solely because such therapy may be characterized as unproven, experimental, or investigational in nature.

SECTION 4. Chapter 176B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after section 4FF, the following section:-

Section 4GG. Any subscription certificate under an individual or group medical service agreement delivered, issued, or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide coverage for diagnostic testing and long-term antibiotic therapy for  Lyme disease when determined to be medically necessary and ordered by a physician after making a thorough evaluation of the patient’s symptoms, diagnostic test results and response to therapy. Therapy otherwise eligible for benefits pursuant to this section shall not be denied solely because such therapy may be characterized as unproven, experimental, or investigational in nature.

SECTION 5. Chapter 176G of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after section 4X the following section:-

Section 4Y. Any individual or group health maintenance contract shall provide coverage for diagnostic testing and long-term antibiotic therapy for  Lyme disease when determined to be medically necessary and ordered by a physician after making a thorough evaluation of the patient’s symptoms, diagnostic test results and response to therapy. Therapy otherwise eligible for benefits pursuant to this section shall not be denied solely because such therapy may be characterized as unproven, experimental, or investigational in nature.