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Bill

S 754

Relates to the number of persons recommended for appointment to the commission for the governor to choose from

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Monica Martinez

Expands ASD coverage authority to licensed nurse practitioners and PMH-CS for diagnosis, treatment, and pharmacy care; insurers must update forms by 2027.

SIGNED CHAP.104
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Bill Summary · S 754

Summary — S.754 (Chapter 104 of 2025)

An Act relative to the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder

Purpose

This law expands which licensed clinicians may certify, prescribe, or otherwise authorize certain autism‑related diagnoses, treatments, and pharmacy care for the purpose of insurance coverage and program eligibility. The intent is to recognize advanced practice nurses (in addition to physicians) in statutory definitions that govern coverage for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) services.

Key provisions

  • Amends multiple Massachusetts statutes to insert the following provider types alongside "licensed physician" in relevant definitions:
    • licensed nurse practitioner (NP), and
    • licensed psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialist (PMH‑CS).
  • The insertions apply to the terms “disability verification,” “Pharmacy care,” and “Treatment of autism spectrum disorders” where those terms appear in the affected statutes.
  • Statutes amended include provisions in:
    • chapter 15C, section 29;
    • chapter 32A, section 25;
    • chapter 118E, section 10H;
    • chapter 175, section 47AA;
    • chapter 176A, section 8DD;
    • chapter 176B, section 4DD; and
    • chapter 176G, section 4V.
  • All health insurance policies, contracts and certificates subject to the listed sections that are delivered, issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 must conform to the act.
  • Form filings required to implement the changes are subject to approval by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance.

Who is affected

  • Patients with autism spectrum disorder and their families who seek covered diagnosis, prescriptions, or ASD treatments under state‑regulated health plans.
  • Licensed nurse practitioners and licensed psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists, who gain explicit statutory authority to provide disability verifications and authorize ASD treatments/pharmacy care for insurance purposes.
  • Private insurers, state employee plans, and public programs regulated under the amended statutes (including MassHealth‑related provisions) that must update policy forms and coverage rules to recognize these providers.

Implementation & timeline

  • Effective for new or renewed policies on or after January 1, 2027.
  • Form filings to reflect the changes must be approved by the Commissioner of Insurance.
  • Legislative status: Passed both chambers and signed into law (Chapter 104) on March 7, 2025.

Potential impact

  • Broadens the range of clinicians who can authorize treatment and pharmacy services for ASD, which may improve access to timely diagnosis and care in settings with physician shortages.
  • Requires insurers and public programs to update coverage documents and administrative processes to recognize authorized nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurse specialists.

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

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