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Read. Follow. Verify.Massachusetts Bill Requires Equal Behavioral Health Access for MassHealth Consumers
Last action · March 30, 2026: Accompanied a study order, see H5319 (under House Rule 27)Sponsors: Adam Scanlon and 1 other
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What This Bill Would Do
MassHealth contracted health plans, insurers, and must provide equal access to behavioral health services, benefits, and medications of comparable quality to medical assistance recipients. The state division must obtain approval from the secretary of the executive office of health and human services for all behavioral health policies, protocols, and management criteria. Additionally, all contracted health entities must report their inpatient mental health and substance use provider reimbursement methodologies within 90 days of the act taking effect.
MassHealth consumers gain a legal guarantee of behavioral health care access matching physical medical standards, while contracted health plans face mandatory state oversight and strict reporting deadlines regarding their provider reimbursement rates.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
MassHealth consumers
Consumers receive a guarantee of equal access to behavioral health services, benefits, and medications of comparable quality.
Contracted accountable care organizations and health insurers
These entities must ensure equal behavioral health access, obtain secretarial approval for policies, and submit inpatient reimbursement methodology reports.
Inpatient mental health and substance use providers
Providers are part of the reimbursement methodology reporting and transparency requirements established by contracted health entities.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What standards must health plans meet regarding behavioral health services for MassHealth consumers?
Who must approve the behavioral health policies and utilization criteria used by health plans?
What reporting is required regarding provider reimbursement?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
4 actions- Mar 30, 2026HouseAccompanied a study order, see H5319 (under House Rule 27)
- Oct 24, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 11/03/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
- Feb 27, 2025SenateSenate concurred
- Feb 27, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to the committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
malegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz35Current news / social attention level
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