SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1522        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1234

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Mark C. Montigny

_________________

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 strengthen patients' rights.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Mark C. Montigny

Second Bristol and Plymouth

 

James R. Miceli

19th Middlesex

1/29/2017

Keiko M. Orrall

12th Bristol

1/31/2017


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1522        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1234

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1234) of Mark C. Montigny, James R. Miceli and Keiko M. Orrall for legislation to strengthen patients' rights.  Public Health.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act to strengthen patients' rights.

 

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

Section 70E of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the fourth paragraph the following new paragraph:-

Every patient, upon placement into either inpatient or observation status, shall receive complete information from an admitting hospital regarding (i) whether such patient has been admitted to the hospital as an inpatient or is in observation status; (ii) a statement that observation status may affect the patient’s Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance coverage for hospital services, medication, and skilled nursing facility care following discharge; and (iii) a recommendation that the patient contact his or her insurance plan to better understand the implications of being placed in observation status versus inpatient admission.  Such notice shall be in addition to any requirements set forth by Medicare under Public Law 114-42.