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SD 283

An Act relative to mandatory coverage for certain health screenings for firefighters

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Brady

Requires insurers to cover four cancer screenings (bladder, cervical, lung, testicular) for all Massachusetts firefighters, with no copay or deductible, upon PCP referral.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 283

Summary: Bill SD 283 — An Act relative to mandatory coverage for certain health screenings for firefighters

Overview

SD 283 proposes to add a new section to Chapter 41 of the General Laws to ensure mandated insurance coverage for specific health screenings for firefighters. The bill is titled “An Act relative to mandatory coverage for certain health screenings for firefighters.” The Senate filed the bill, and it has progressed to a House concurrence. Introduced on February 27, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 283, filed January 10, 2025). The bill builds on a previously filed similar measure (House No. 2604 of 2023-2024).

Key Provisions

  • New Section 101B added to Chapter 41.
    The bill would authorize coverage for screenings or evaluations in four cancer-related domains:
    • Bladder cancer
    • Cervical cancer
    • Lung cancer
    • Testicular cancer
  • Referral requirement.
    Participating firefighters must obtain a screening or evaluation upon the referral of their primary care physician.
  • Medically necessary determination.
    The screenings/evaluations are deemed medically necessary for purposes of insurance coverage.
  • Broad eligibility for firefighters.
    Coverage applies to all categories of firefighters: permanent, full-time, call, volunteer, intermittent, part-time, or reserve.

Coverage and Cost-Sharing

  • Insurance coverage obligation.
    The screening or evaluation services shall be covered by the insured plan.
  • No cost-sharing.
    Coverage shall be without copayment, deductible, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing requirement.
  • Scope of plans.
    Applies to the various insurance plans noted in the bill (including plans under chapter 32A, 175, 176A, 176B, or 176G, among others under general or special law).

Who Is Affected

  • All types of firefighters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (permanent, full-time, call, volunteer, intermittent, part-time, and reserve) who obtain a primary care physician referral for the specified cancer screenings.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative actions.
    • Referred to the Senate Committee on Public Service on February 27, 2025.
    • House concurrence occurred on February 27, 2025 (indicating agreement between Senate and House on the bill’s terms at that stage).
  • Status.
    The bill is positioned as a proposed bill with House concurrence noted, and it references a related bill from the 2023-2024 session (House No. 2604) as similar matter.

Potential Impact

  • Public health and safety.
    Increases access to potentially life-saving cancer screenings for firefighters, emphasizing early detection and preventative care.
  • Financial impact on insurers and plans.
    Shifts cost-sharing to zero for the specified screenings, potentially affecting premium calculations and utilization of preventive services.
  • Operational impact.
    Requires consistent implementation across diverse firefighter employment arrangements and multiple insurance offerings.

Effective Date

  • The bill text does not specify an explicit effective date. If enacted, the effective date would typically be defined in the final enacted language.

This summary outlines the bill’s purpose, core provisions, affected populations, and legislative status to help readers understand its substantive impact.

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

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