HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3630        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1044

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Elizabeth A. Malia

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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 ensuring access to recovery coaches.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3630        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1044

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 2182 OF 2017-2018.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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An Act ensuring 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 2016 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 use disorder services provided by a certified addiction recovery coach, as part of a substance use disorder 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 so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after section 10L, inserted by section 71 of chapter 208 of the acts of 2018, the following new section:-

Section 10M. 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 use disorder services provided by a certified addiction recovery coach, as part of a substance use disorder 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 so appearing, 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 use disorder services provided by a certified addiction recovery coach, as part of a substance use disorder 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 so appearing, is amended by inserting after section 8MM, inserted by section 85 of chapter 208 of the acts of 2018, the following new section:-

Section 8NN. 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 use disorder services provided by a certified addiction recovery coach, as part of a substance use disorder 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 so appearing, is amended by inserting after Section 4MM, inserted by section 88 of chapter 208 of the acts of 2018, the following new section:-

Section 4NN. Any subscription certificate under an individual or group medical service agreement delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall cover the cost of substance use disorder services provided by a certified addiction recovery coach, as part of a substance use disorder 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 so appearing, is amended by inserting after Section 4EE, inserted by section 91 of chapter 208 of the acts of 2018, the following new section:-

Section 4FF. Any individual or group health maintenance contract shall cover the cost of substance use disorder services provided by a certified addiction recovery coach, as part of a substance use disorder 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.