SENATE DOCKET, NO. 3010        FILED ON: 6/26/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2600

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Michael F. Rush

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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 requiring health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 3010        FILED ON: 6/26/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2600

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 requiring health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems.

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 17E of Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended in subsection (a) after “Prosthesis” in line 3 by inserting following definition:-

“Scalp cooling system”, any device used to cool the human scalp to prevent or reduce hair loss during cancer chemotherapy treatment, provided that such device is designed and intended for repeated use and is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose

SECTION 2. Section 17E of Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended in subsection (b) by inserting in line 10 after the word “prosthesis” the following:-

“or scalp cooling systems”; and in said subsection by inserting in line 13 after the word “prosthesis” the following:-

“and scalp cooling systems”; and in said subsection by inserting in line 16 after the word “prosthesis” the following:-  

“and scalp cooling systems”

SECTION 3. Chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 47UU, the following:-

Section 47VV. Coverage for scalp cooling systems

Section 47VV. (a) For the purpose of this section the following terms shall have the following meanings:-

“Scalp cooling system”, any device used to cool the human scalp to prevent or reduce hair loss during cancer chemotherapy treatment, provided that such device is designed and intended for repeated use and is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose

(b) Every policy delivered or issued for delivery in the commonwealth that provides medical, major medical, or similar comprehensive type explanation coverage and provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment shall provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used in connection with cancer chemotherapy treatment. Coverage provided under this section may be subject to annual deductibles and coinsurance, including copayments consistent with those established for other benefits within a given policy. Scalp cooling system coverage pursuant to this section shall not exceed an amount of $300 per year.

SECTION 4. Chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 8VV, the following:-

Section 8WW. Coverage for scalp cooling systems

Section 8WW. (a) For the purpose of this section the following terms shall have the following meanings:-

“Scalp cooling system”, any device used to cool the human scalp to prevent or reduce hair loss during cancer chemotherapy treatment, provided that such device is designed and intended for repeated use and is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose

(b) Any non-profit hospital service corporation that issues a subscription certificate that provides coverage for hospital or medical expenses and includes coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment shall also provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used in connection with such treatment.

(c) Coverage provided under this section may be subject to annual deductibles and coinsurance requirements, including copayments, consistent with those established for other benefits under the same certificate. Scalp cooling system coverage pursuant to this section shall not exceed an amount of $300 per year.

SECTION 5. Chapter 176B of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 4VV, the following:-

Section 4WW. Coverage for scalp cooling systems

Section 4WW. (a) For the purpose of this section the following terms shall have the following meanings:-

“Scalp cooling system”, any device used to cool the human scalp to prevent or reduce hair loss during cancer chemotherapy treatment, provided that such device is designed and intended for repeated use and is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose

(b) Every medical service corporation that provides individual or group coverage for medical services and includes coverage for cancer chemotherapy shall provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used in connection with such treatment.

(c) Such coverage may be subject to the same deductible, copayment, and coinsurance provisions applicable to other medical services covered under the plan. Scalp cooling system coverage pursuant to this section shall not exceed an amount of $300 per year.

SECTION 6. Chapter 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 4NN, the following:-

Section 4OO. Coverage for scalp cooling systems

Section 4OO. (a) For the purpose of this section the following terms shall have the following meanings:-

“Scalp cooling system”, any device used to cool the human scalp to prevent or reduce hair loss during cancer chemotherapy treatment, provided that such device is designed and intended for repeated use and is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose

(b) Every health maintenance organization licensed under this chapter that issues evidence of coverage for health care services and includes cancer chemotherapy treatment shall provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used in connection with such treatment.

(c) Coverage may be subject to cost-sharing provisions, including deductibles and copayments, consistent with other benefits under the plan. Scalp cooling system coverage pursuant to this section shall not exceed an amount of $300 per year.

SECTION 7. Chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 10Q, the following:-

Section 10R. Coverage for scalp cooling systems

The division shall provide coverage for scalp cooling systems, as defined in Section 47VV of Chapter 175, when used in connection with cancer chemotherapy treatment, under the medical assistance program established pursuant to this chapter. Scalp cooling system coverage pursuant to this section shall not exceed an amount of $300 per year.

SECTION 8. This act shall apply to all contracts entered into, renewed or amended on or after January 1, 2026.