WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 712

Enacts the "Nassau future protectors act"

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Rhoads

Requires insurance plans to cover medically necessary craniofacial repair/restoration for congenital/genetic conditions, with cost-sharing parity.

REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 712

Summary — S 712 (An Act relative to ensuring treatment for genetic craniofacial conditions)

Note on metadata: The bill text is for a Massachusetts state statute (amending the Massachusetts General Laws). Some supplied metadata (title “Nassau future protectors act” and certain sponsor names such as Rick Scott) appear inconsistent with the bill text. This summary is based on the bill language filed in the Massachusetts Senate (Senate Docket No. 553 / Senate No. 712).

Purpose

Require public and private health plans in Massachusetts to cover medically necessary functional repair or restoration of craniofacial disorders caused by congenital disease or anomaly, explicitly including certain genetic conditions, and to ensure parity of cost-sharing for these services.

Key provisions

  • Amends multiple Massachusetts General Laws chapters to add uniform coverage requirements:
    • Chapter 32A (state group insurance) — inserts section 17T.
    • Chapter 118E (MassHealth/health care programs) — inserts section 10R.
    • Chapter 175 (insurance) — inserts section 47VV.
    • Chapter 176A (hospital service plans) — inserts section 8WW.
    • Chapter 176B (medical service agreements) — inserts section 4WW.
    • Chapter 176G (HMOs) — inserts section 4OO (text truncated in provided excerpt).
  • Coverage required: medically necessary functional repair or restoration to improve function or approximate normal appearance of abnormal structures caused by congenital disease/anomaly.
  • Specifically names and requires coverage for: ectodermal dysplasia, dentinogenesis imperfecta, and amelogenesis imperfecta.
  • Excludes: cosmetic surgery and dental or orthodontic treatment unrelated to the congenital disease/anomaly.
  • Parity clause: benefits under these new sections cannot be subject to greater deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, or out-of-pocket limits than other benefits under the same plan/contract.

Who is affected

  • Beneficiaries: active and retired Commonwealth employees covered by the Group Insurance Commission, MassHealth recipients, individuals and groups covered by private insurers, HMOs, and service corporations operating in Massachusetts.
  • Providers: surgeons, craniofacial specialists, dentists and allied specialists who provide medically necessary repair/restoration.
  • Insurers and plan administrators: must amend policies and contracts to comply.
  • Patients with congenital craniofacial disorders, particularly those with the enumerated genetic conditions, would gain clearer coverage rights.

Procedural status and timeline (from provided record)

  • Filed in Massachusetts Senate (Senate Docket No. 553 / Senate No. 712), filed 1/14/2025; introduced in Senate 2/25/2025.
  • Referred to committees: Civil Service and Pensions; Financial Services (records show multiple referrals).
  • Hearing scheduled: 10/27/2025, Gardner Auditorium (per provided legislative actions).
  • Prior related matter: similar bill in prior session (Senate No. 615 of 2023–2024).

Potential impact

  • Expands access to medically necessary craniofacial reconstruction and related treatments for congenital/genetic conditions.
  • Reduces inconsistent coverage and potential financial barriers for affected patients by prohibiting higher cost-sharing for these services.
  • Likely administrative and actuarial impacts for insurers and public programs; the bill text does not include fiscal estimates.

If you want, I can: (1) produce a plain‑language explainer for patients/families, (2) draft a one‑page memo on likely fiscal impacts, or (3) compare this text to the prior-session bill.

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

Sign in to ask a question.