Bulletin 2021-10

The record

Jurisdiction

Massachusetts; Division of Insurance · Massachusetts

Level

Sector regulator

Authority

M.G.L. c. 26, § 8A; Chapter 260 of the Acts of 2020

Issued

2021-09-07 Sept. 7, 2021

Effective

2021-09-07

End

Telehealth rate parity for behavioral health through January 1, 2023; for other services through 90 days after the end of the state of emergency (read as 2023-01-01)

In force

Sept. 7, 2021 to Jan. 1, 2023

Quarters

2021 Q3

2020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3

Limitation types

Health care orders

Addressees

• commercial health insurers, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, HMOs and the Group Insurance Commission

Functions reached

• IN health carriers (telehealth reimbursement parity)
• TM telehealth of Massachusetts providers (industries 01-04) through Q3 2021 and beyond
• CB payers

Character

context

Collection

State insurance and banking regulators AGY-ST-INSURANCE-BANKING

Operative words

Chapter 260 amends M.G.L. chs. 175, 176A, 176B, 176G, and 176I to add telehealth requirements. This Bulletin outlines the Division's expectations regarding continued access to telehealth services in 2021... As was noted in Bulletin 2021-04, Carriers must reimburse providers for services delivered via telehealth at least at the rate of reimbursement that is defined in Chapter 260... the rate of payment for in-network providers of behavioral health services delivered [via telehealth] shall be no less than the rate of payment for the same service delivered via in-person methods for the period lasting through January 1, 2023 (Sections 69, 76, and 78 of Chapter [260]); the rate of payment for all other in-network providers shall be no less than the rate of payment for the same service delivered via in-person methods through the expiration of the 90-day [period following the end of the state of emergency].

Enforcement