SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1409        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 594

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Nick Collins

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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 addressing duplicative notifications of UR approvals (administrative simplification).

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1409        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 594

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 635 OF 2021-2022.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act addressing duplicative notifications of UR approvals (administrative simplification).

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 12 of Chapter 176O of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out subsections (b) and (c) and inserting in place thereof the following subsections:-

(b) A carrier or utilization review organization shall make an initial determination regarding a proposed admission, procedure or service that requires a determination within two working days of obtaining all necessary information. For purposes of this section, "necessary information" shall include the results of any face-to-face clinical evaluation or second opinion that may be required. In the case of a determination to approve an admission, procedure or service, the carrier or utilization review organization shall notify the provider rendering or requesting the service within 24 hours. In the case of an adverse determination, the carrier or utilization review organization shall notify the provider rendering or requesting the service within 24 hours, and shall provide written or electronic confirmation of the notification to the insured and the provider within one working day thereafter.

(c) A carrier or utilization review organization shall make a concurrent review determination within one working day of obtaining all necessary information. In the case of a determination to approve an extended stay or additional services, the carrier or utilization review organization shall notify the provider rendering or requesting the service within one working day. In the case of an adverse determination, the carrier or utilization review organization shall notify the provider rendering or requesting the service within 24 hours, and shall provide written or electronic notification to the insured and the provider within one working day thereafter. The service shall be continued without liability to the insured until the insured has been notified of the determination.