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April 14, 2026 Clouds | 78°F
The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Bill S.773 194th (Current)

An Act expanding access to mental health services

By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 773) of John F. Keenan for legislation to expand access to mental health services for inpatient treatment. Financial Services.

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Bill Information

Presenter:
John F. Keenan
Aligns the approval process for psychiatric units in acute care hospitals with the approval process for freestanding psychiatric facilities. Waives application fees for mobile integrated health services that have a behavioral health focus. Aligns coverage requirements of behavioral health crisis services required in Chapter 177 with how these services are delivered after the changes made by the Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform and ensures commercial coverage of these services, including commercial coverage for behavioral health evaluations performed in emergency departments. Addresses regulatory barriers related to Chapter 177’s elimination of prior authorization for inpatient psychiatric services. Improves access to behavioral health services by expanding the number of behavioral health settings that must be covered without prior authorization. Requires medical necessity is determined by the patient’s treating clinician and noted in the patient’s medical record. Allows qualified physician assistants to admit psychiatric patients and codifies regulations promulgated by the department of public health that expand the definition of licensed mental health professionals to include master’s level clinicians working towards licensure.
* The bill summary was created by the Primary Sponsor of the bill; no committee of the General Court certifies the accuracy of its contents.

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