Para requerir a todo asegurador y organizaciones de servicios de salud constituidos conforme a la Ley Núm. 77 de 19 de junio de 1957, según enmendada, conocida como “Código de Seguros de Puerto Rico”, planes de seguros que brinden servicios en nuestro Archipiélago y cualquier otra entidad contratada para ofrecer beneficios de salud localmente, así como a la Administración de Seguros de Salud, y a cualquier entidad contratada para ofrecer servicios de salud o de seguros de salud en Puerto Rico, a través de la Ley 72-1993, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley de la Administración de Seguros de Salud de Puerto Rico”, que incluyan, como parte de sus cubiertas, la musicoterapia clínica como uno de los tratamientos interdisciplinarios o complementarios autorizados para la prevención, tratamiento y recuperación de la salud en las dimensiones físicas, cognitivas, emocionales, y psicológicas de los pacientes.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico bill mandates health insurers cover clinical music therapy as preventive and therapeutic treatment across physical, cognitive, emotional, and psychological health dimensions.

Referido a Comisión(es)

Legislative bill overview

Bill PC 452 requires all health insurers, health service organizations, and the Puerto Rico Health Insurance Administration to include clinical music therapy as a covered treatment in their health plans. The bill classifies music therapy as an interdisciplinary or complementary treatment for prevention, treatment, and recovery across physical, cognitive, emotional, and psychological dimensions of patient health.

Why is this important

This legislation would expand mental health and wellness treatment options available to Puerto Rico's insured population by mandating coverage of an evidence-based therapeutic practice. It reflects growing recognition of music therapy's role in integrated healthcare while potentially increasing healthcare costs through new mandatory coverage requirements.

Potential points of contention

Cost and affordability: Mandating new coverage increases insurance premiums and administrative costs, with unclear data on patient demand or cost-effectiveness in Puerto Rico's specific context

Scope of "clinical music therapy": The bill lacks precise definitions of what qualifies as clinical music therapy, credential requirements for practitioners, or treatment protocols, creating implementation ambiguity

Insurance burden: Required coverage expansion places regulatory burden on insurers and the Health Insurance Administration during discussions about healthcare affordability in Puerto Rico's economic context