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S 783

Relates to municipal websites

2025 Regular Session Introduced by James Skoufis

Massachusetts law requires payers to reimburse CRNAs at parity with physicians for same services within scope, boosting access and preventing payer discrimination or cutbacks.

SIGNED CHAP.97
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Bill Summary · S 783

Summary — S 783 (An Act to promote increased access to patient care through equitable reimbursement)

Status: Signed (Chapter 97, 2025)
Filed: Jan 16, 2025; Introduced: Feb 27, 2025

Purpose / Intent

The bill requires public and private health payers in Massachusetts to treat Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) who are practicing within their authorized advanced practice scope the same as physicians for the purposes of participation, coverage, and payment. The intent is to promote increased access to patient care by ensuring equitable reimbursement for CRNAs providing anesthesia and related services.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new section to multiple Massachusetts statutes to establish parity between physicians (chapter 112 licensees) and CRNAs (advanced practice nursing under section 80B of chapter 112) when acting within scope:
    • Chapter 32A (state commission coverage) — new Section 34
    • Chapter 118E (MassHealth / Medicaid-related programs) — new Section 83
    • Chapter 175 (accident & sickness insurance) — new Section 108O
    • Chapter 176A (hospital service contracts / HMOs) — new Section 39 (text truncated in available version but follows same parity model)
  • Non‑discrimination rule: payers shall not make distinctions in participation, coverage, or payment between physicians and CRNAs when both act within their licensure/certification.
  • Reimbursement parity: a contracted CRNA must be reimbursed in an amount not less than the allowed amount that would be paid if the same service were provided by a physician.
  • Prohibition on cost‑shifting: payers may not reduce physician reimbursement amounts to comply with CRNA parity requirements.
  • Quality/performance adjustments permitted only if the same measures apply to both provider types.
  • Claims must identify the National Provider Identifier (NPI) of the clinician who provided the service.

Who is affected

  • Providers: CRNAs (who meet advanced practice requirements) will be eligible for payment parity with physicians for equivalent services; physicians are protected from reimbursement cuts required to meet parity.
  • Payers: Commonwealth health commission, MassHealth and contracted Medicaid/MCO/ACO administrators, private insurers (individual/group accident & sickness policies), and HMOs/corporations operating hospital service plans in Massachusetts.
  • Patients: Potentially increased access to anesthesia services and related care provided by CRNAs across public and private plans.
  • Employers/state (to the extent they fund plans): possible impacts on plan costs and contracting arrangements.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Bill was presented by Senator Joan B. Lovely (per bill text). Legislative action records show the bill passed both chambers and was delivered to and signed by the Governor (Chapter 97) on Feb 28, 2025.
  • The enacted law adds specific statutory sections (listed above) to relevant chapters of the General Laws; effective date is not specified in the excerpts provided (often effective upon enactment unless otherwise stated).

Potential impacts (practical)

  • Likely increases in compensation to CRNAs for services formerly reimbursed at lower rates, and contractual/administrative changes by payers to implement parity and NPI reporting.
  • Payers may adjust contracting, provider directories, and claims systems; insurers may evaluate premium or rate effects, though the statute forbids reducing physician rates to offset parity.

Note: Some metadata provided with the request (e.g., alternate sponsor names and an initial title referencing municipal websites) appears inconsistent with the bill text. The summary above is based on the bill text as enacted.

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

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