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SD 2504

An Act establishing alternative models for behavioral health transport

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Feeney

Establish five regional pilots to use non-emergency transport for behavioral health, with MassHealth reimbursement and data analysis to gauge effectiveness and shape future rates.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 2504

Summary of Senate Bill SD 2504: An Act Establishing Alternative Models for Behavioral Health Transport

Overview

SD 2504 proposes five regional pilot programs to explore alternative non-emergency transport models for individuals needing behavioral health intervention. The aim is to promote non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) options for behavioral health patients and to study their effectiveness, efficiency, and potential for broader adoption.

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Status: House concurred (House has concurred with the Senate version)
  • Filed as: Senate Docket No. 2504 (Senate No. 1397)
  • Department/ agencies involved: Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), MassHealth, Health Policy Commission (HPC), Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA)

What the bill would do (Key Provisions)

Section 1 — Establishment of regional pilots and reimbursement

  • The Secretary of Health and Human Services (or designee) must establish and implement five regional pilot programs, geographically dispersed across the Commonwealth.
  • Purpose of the pilots: promote the use of non-emergency medical transport for individuals needing behavioral health intervention.
  • In designing the pilots, EOHHS must consult with existing hospital-based providers of alternative behavioral health treatment.
  • MassHealth and its contracted insurers, health plans, HMOs, behavioral health management firms, and third-party administrators under contract to Medicaid managed care organizations or primary care clinician plans must provide reimbursement for NEMT services provided by pilot participants.

Section 2 — Data collection, evaluation, and reimbursement recommendations

  • HPC, in collaboration with CHIA and EOHHS, shall collect data and study the pilots’ effectiveness.
  • Evaluation metrics include:
    • Transfer times for behavioral health patients
    • Reduction of stigma in treatment access
    • Cost-effectiveness and appropriate use of resources of the alternative transport method versus traditional ambulance-based NEMT
  • The analysis will examine MassHealth reimbursement under the pilot and will make recommendations on setting reimbursement for these services in both Medicaid and commercial markets.

Who would be affected

  • Behavioral health patients who require transport for intervention
  • Hospitals and hospital-based providers offering alternative behavioral health treatments
  • MassHealth enrollees, Medicaid managed care plans, commercial health plans, and their contracted providers
  • Non-emergency medical transportation providers and vendors participating in the pilots
  • State agencies and analytic bodies (EOHHS, MassHealth, HPC, CHIA)

Timelines and process

  • The bill directs the creation of five regional pilot programs but does not specify exact start dates or duration within the text provided.
  • Legislative actions indicate referral to the Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery committee and House concurrence as of February 27, 2025.

Financial/reimbursement considerations

  • Reimbursement for pilot-provided NEMT services is required through MassHealth and its contracted insurers, health plans, HMOs, and related entities.
  • Section 2 directs analysis of MassHealth reimbursement levels and consideration of rate setting for Medicaid and commercial markets based on pilot results.

Potential impact

  • Aims to improve access to timely behavioral health services, reduce transport-associated stigma, and optimize resource use.
  • Could influence broader adoption of NEMT models if pilots demonstrate improved outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
  • Findings may inform future reimbursement policies across Medicaid and private insurers.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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