Amendment #916 to H4000

Co-pays for Telehealth

Mr. Ryan of Boston moves to amend the bill by adding the following new section:

"SECTION XXXX

Section 1. Section 30 of Chapter 32A of the General Laws, as most recently inserted by Section 3 of Chapter 260 of the Acts of 2020 is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following subsection:

Coverage for telehealth services shall not include a co-payment requirement for a health care service provided via telehealth.

Section 2. Section 79 of Chapter 118E of the General Laws, as most recently inserted by Section 40 of Chapter 260 of the Acts of 2020 is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following subsection: - The division and its contracted health insurers, health plans, health maintenance organizations, behavioral health management firms and third-party administrators under contract to a Medicaid managed care organization, accountable care organization or primary care clinician plan shall not include a co-payment requirement for a health care service provided via telehealth.

Section 3.  Section 47MM of Chapter 175 of the General Laws, as most recently inserted by Section 47 of Chapter 260 of the Acts of 2020 is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following subsection:

A policy, contract, agreement, plan or certificate of insurance issued, delivered or renewed within the commonwealth that provides coverage for telehealth services shall not include a co-payment requirement for a heath care service provided via telehealth.

Section 4. Section 38 of Chapter 176A of the General Laws, as most recently inserted by Section 49 of Chapter 260 of the Acts of 2020, is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following subsection:

Coverage for telehealth services shall not include a provision for a co-payment requirement for a health care service provided via telehealth.

Section 5. Section 25 of Chapter 176B of the General Laws, as most recently inserted by Section 51 of Chapter 260 of the Acts of 2020, is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following subsection:

A contract that provides coverage for telehealth services shall not include a provision for a co-payment requirement for a health care service provided via telehealth.

Section 6.  Section 33 of Chapter 176G of the General Laws, as most recently inserted by Section 53 of Chapter 260 of the Acts of 2020, is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following subsection:

A contract that provides coverage for telehealth services shall not include a provision for a co-payment requirement for a health care service provided via telehealth.

Section 7.  Section 13 of Chapter 176I of the General Laws, as most recently inserted by Section 54 of Chapter 260 of the Acts of 2020, is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following subsection:

A preferred provider contract that provides coverage for telehealth services shall not include a provision for a co-payment requirement for a health care service provided via telehealth.

Section 8. Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are hereby repealed.

Section 9. Section 8 shall take effect 90 days after termination of the governor’s March 10, 2020 declaration of a state of emergency."

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #916 to H4000

Co-pays for Telehealth