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HD 2407

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

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rita Mendes

Requires insurers to cover 100% of bladder, cervical, lung, and testicular cancer screenings for firefighters when referred by a primary care physician, with no cost-sharing.

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Bill Summary · HD 2407

Summary: An Act relative to mandatory coverage for certain health screenings for firefighters (House Bill HD 2407)

Overview

  • Purpose: To ensure firefighters have mandatory insurance coverage for specific cancer screenings (bladder, cervical, lung, and testicular) when referred by their primary care physician.
  • Jurisdiction: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 41. The bill would create a new Section 101B, inserted after existing Section 101A.
  • Status: The version provided is a proposed bill in the 2025-2026 General Court (House Docket No. 2407, File dated 1/16/2025). The user-supplied status line lists “Introduced: November 29, 2025,” but the official text shows filing in January 2025. This summary reflects the textual provisions as drafted.

Key Provisions

  • Section 101B(a) scope

    • Applies to all firefighter ranks and roles: permanent full-time, call, volunteer, intermittent, part-time, and reserve firefighters.
    • Eligible screenings/evaluations: bladder, cervical, lung, and testicular cancer screenings or evaluations.
    • Trigger for screening: referral by the firefighter’s primary care physician.

  • Section 101B(b) coverage and cost-sharing

    • Screening services deemed medically necessary for coverage purposes.
    • Insurers must cover the full cost of the screening or evaluation.
    • No cost-sharing: no co-payments, deductibles, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing requirements for these screenings.

Affected Parties

  • Primary beneficiaries: Massachusetts firefighters across all status categories (permanent, volunteer, part-time, etc.).
  • Insurers: All plans that provide coverage to firefighters, including but not limited to plans under chapters 32A, 175, 176A, 176B, 176G, as well as other general or special laws.

Potential Impact

  • Access and Equity: Removes financial barriers to preventive cancer screenings for firefighters, promoting early detection and potentially better health outcomes.
  • Administrative: Insurers would need to verify medical necessity and process claims for these screenings without cost-sharing, potentially affecting claims processing and policy language.
  • Fiscal: Not specified in the text; mandating full coverage could have budgetary implications for insurers and, by extension, cost considerations for employer-based or public sector plans.

Implementation Notes

  • Effective date: The text provided does not specify an explicit effective date or phase-in period. If enacted, the bill would require implementing regulations or guidance to align plan documents and ensure compliant administration.
  • Legislative context: A related measure was previously filed in the 2023-2024 session (House No. 2604), indicating ongoing interest in firefighter health screenings.

Bottom Line

HD 2407 would mandate comprehensive insurance coverage (with no cost-sharing) for specified cancer screenings of firefighters when prescribed by a physician, expanding access to preventive care across all firefighter classifications in Massachusetts.

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

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