In Massachusetts, a new bill number is assigned when a new version of the bill is drafted. The bill number was changed to S 2400 for the Senate and House Conference Report stages.
In Massachusetts, a new bill number is assigned when a new version of the bill is drafted. The bill number was changed to S 2400 for the Senate and House Conference Report stages.
Vote to pass a bill that reduces state health care spending.
Highlights:
Requires the State Attorney General to take action to prevent anti-competitive practices in the market, prevent “unreasonable” increases in health rates and prices, and prevent “adverse effects” on patient access and quality (Sec. 11).
Establishes the Institute of Health Care Finance and Policy to monitor trends in health care costs and review providers suspected of engaging in anticompetitive behavior (Sec. 15).
Requires the Secretary of Administration and Finance to meet with the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means and jointly develop a projected economic growth benchmark, which will be reported on September 15th each year (Sec. 18).
Establishes the Massachusetts e-Health Institute to implement a statewide system of electronic health records (Sec. 29).
Requires that every 4 years the Department of Health, in consultation with the Institute of Health Care Finance and Policy, submit a health resource plan that identifies the healthcare needs of the state and the resources required to meet them (Sec. 50).
Requires healthcare providers to disclose, upon patient request, the following (Sec. 83):
The allowed charge for a proposed admission, procedure, or service including facility fees within 2 working days; or
If unable to quote a specific amount to to disclose the estimated maximum allowed charge within 2 working days.
Authorizes the Commissioner to impose a fine of up to $1000 on any health care provider in violation of the requirement to disclose the maximum allowed charge to the patient or prospective patient (Sec. 83).
Requires the Secretary of the Executive Office to establish “fair and adequate” charges to be used by state institutions for general health supplies, care, accommodations, and rehabilitative services (Sec. 97).
Establishes a Health Safety Net Office within the office of Medicaid to set reimbursement rates to community health centers/acute hospitals that provide healthcare services to low-income, uninsured/underinsured patients (Sec. 104).
Establishes a personal care attendant quality home workforce council to assist consumers with finding personal care attendants (Sec. 104).
Requires insurance carriers to disclose limitations of coverage relating to preexisting conditions (Sec. 137).
Requires insurance carriers to establish a toll-free number and website that enables consumers to obtain information about the amount that the insured will be responsible to pay for a proposed admission, procedure, or service that is a medically necessary covered benefit including (Sec. 137):
Any facility fee;
Copayment;
Deductible;
Other out-of-pocket amount; and
The actual or maximum estimated allowed amount and co-insurance for any covered health benefits.
Establishes a small group wellness incentive program that will provide technical assistance and an annual subsidy to eligible small groups that implement evidence-based employee health and wellness programs (Sec. 160).
Establishes the Health Care Quality and Finance Authority to set health care cost containment goals and implement health care delivery and payment models that will lower cost growth (Sec. 162).
Requires the advisory board to the Health Care Quality and Finance Authority to establish a health care cost growth benchmark for statewide average growth no later than April 15 of each year (Sec. 162).
Requires the Health Care Quality and Finance Authority to establish procedures for a “Beacon ACO” certification process (Sec. 162).
Defines “Beacon ACO” as a certification given by the board of the Health Care Quality and Finance Authority to indicate that a provider organization meets certain standards regarding quality, cost containment, and patient protection (Sec. 162).
Requires the Health Care Quality and Finance Authority to develop standards for alternative payment methods for use by the group insurance commission, Medicaid, and all other state-funded insurance programs (Sec. 162).
Establishes the Distressed Community Hospital Trust Fund to improve ability of “qualified” community hospitals to serve populations in need more “effectively” (Sec. 173).
Requires the Department of Health to create a model wellness guide for payers, employers, and consumers (Sec. 175).
Requires the Department of Health to submit a health resource plan to the Governor and General Court no later than January 1, 2014 (Sec. 183).
Requires the group insurance commission, MassHealth, and all other state-funded insurance programs to implement alternative payment methods no later than July 1, 2014 (Sec. 186).
Establishes a commission to review price variation among health care providers (Sec. 190).