An Act to improve patient access to non-emergency medical transportation
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to improve access to non-emergency medical transportation for patients in Massachusetts. It extends the validity period of prior authorizations for ambulance and wheelchair van services to a minimum of three business days for trips to dialysis, behavioral health, and post-acute care facilities. The bill also addresses reimbursement rates for these services by requiring a study of current rates and economic factors affecting the transportation industry.
Key provisions
- Extends prior authorization validity for non-emergency ambulance and wheelchair van services to 3 business days.
- Applies this extended validity period to transportation for dialysis, behavioral health, and post-acute care.
- Addresses reimbursement rates for non-emergency medical transportation services.
- Requires a study of reimbursement rates by the Health Policy Commission and Center for Information and Analysis.
- Covers ambulance service, advanced life support, nonemergency transport, wheelchair van transportation, and patient attendant transportation.
- Specifies covered services including inpatient and outpatient dialysis, behavioral health, and post-acute care.
Who is affected
- Patients in Massachusetts
- Healthcare providers (dialysis, behavioral health, post-acute care)
- Ambulance service providers
- Wheelchair van service providers
- Health insurers and managed care organizations
Bill text
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
3 on record
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Cosponsors
Daniel J. Hunt
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