HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1722        FILED ON: 2/10/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1263

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Carolyn C. Dykema and Daniel Cahill

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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 improving consumer choice in health care providers.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1722        FILED ON: 2/10/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1263

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act improving consumer choice in health care providers.

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. Section 15 of chapter 6D, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended in line 182 by inserting after the word “of” the following:- “health care services and”;

And in line 187 by striking out words “of these services”;

And in line 189 by striking out the words “as an approved provider of these free-standing ancillary services for ACO patients”.

And in line 193 by striking out the words “of free-standing ancillary services”.

And in line 207 by inserting after the word “programs” the following:-

(h) The commission shall annually review the standards published by each certified ACO pursuant to subsection (f) and shall issue a report of its findings, including any recommendations. At a minimum, the commission’s review shall include whether the standards of each ACO ensure consideration and participation by providers sufficient to ensure the goals of subsection (c) and to maximize value to patients by minimizing price and health status adjusted total medical expenses and maximizing quality and access. Such findings shall be used by the commission in the examination and cross examination of witnesses at the annual cost trend hearings pursuant to section 8. The commission shall biennially amend the minimum standards established under subsection (b) in order to ensure processes by which participants and out-of-ACO arrangements are approved and structured by certified ACOs, including through joint venture arrangements.

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, not later than January 1, 2022, the health policy commission shall promulgate regulations to implement the aggrieved provider review process established in subsection (f) of section 15 of chapter 6D of the General Laws.