HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3149        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Mark J. Cusack

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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 relative to prior authorization requests.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3149        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to prior authorization requests.

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. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, all health insurance plans, as defined by Section 1 of Chapter 6D, shall be required to ensure adequate staff during evening, weekend, and holiday hours to review and respond to any prior authorization request within 24 hours of receipt. For the purposes of this section, “prior authorization request” shall mean a submission by a health care provider, as defined by Section 1 of Chapter 6D, to a patient’s health insurance plan for approval of a service or benefit deemed necessary by the patient’s treating health care provider.