HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2609        FILED ON: 1/19/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2182

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Elizabeth A. Malia

_________________

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 ensure access to recovery coaches.

_______________

PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2609        FILED ON: 1/19/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2182

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

_______________

An Act to ensure access to recovery coaches.

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 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 17O the following new section:-

Section 17P. The commission shall provide to an active or retired employee of the commonwealth who is insured under the group insurance commission coverage for the cost of substance abuse services provided by a certified addiction recovery coach, as part of a substance abuse treatment team and under the supervision of qualified supervisory staff.

Certified addiction recovery coach is defined as an individual who was certified by and in good standing with the Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification.

SECTION 2. Chapter 118E of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is amended by inserting after section 10J the following new section:-

Section 10K. The division and its contracted health insurers, health plans, health maintenance organizations, behavioral health management firms and third party administrators under contract to a Medicaid managed care organization or primary care clinician plan shall cover the cost of substance abuse services provided by a certified addiction recovery coach, as part of a substance abuse treatment team and under the supervision of qualified supervisory staff.

Certified addiction recovery coach is defined as an individual who was certified by and in good standing with the Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification.

SECTION 3. Chapter 175 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is amended by inserting after Section 47II, the following new section:-

Section 47JJ. A policy, contract, agreement, plan or certificate of insurance issued, delivered or renewed within the commonwealth that provides medical expense coverage shall cover the cost of substance abuse services provided by a certified addiction recovery coach, as part of a substance abuse treatment team and under the supervision of qualified supervisory staff.

Certified addiction recovery coach is defined as an individual who was certified by and in good standing with the Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification.

SECTION 4. Chapter 176A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is amended by inserting after Section 8KK the following new section:-

Section 8LL. 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 cover the cost of substance abuse services provided by a certified addiction recovery coach, as part of a substance abuse treatment team and under the supervision of qualified supervisory staff.

Certified addiction recovery coach is defined as an individual who was certified by and in good standing with the Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification.

SECTION 5. Chapter 176B of the General Laws as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is amended by inserting after Section 4KK the following new section:-

Section 4LL. Any subscription certificate under an individual or group medical service agreement delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall cover the cost of substance abuse services provided by a certified addiction recovery coach, as part of a substance abuse treatment team and under the supervision of qualified supervisory staff.

Certified addiction recovery coach is defined as an individual who was certified by and in good standing with the Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification.

SECTION 6. Chapter 176G of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is amended by inserting after Section 4CC the following new section:-

Section 4DD. Any individual or group health maintenance contract shall cover the cost of substance abuse services provided by a certified addiction recovery coach, as part of a substance abuse treatment team and under the supervision of qualified supervisory staff.

Certified addiction recovery coach is defined as an individual who was certified by and in good standing with the Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification.