WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 881

Requires colleges and universities in the state to have education programs for prospective teachers, administrators, and counselors for teaching immigrant-origin students

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cordell Cleare and 1 co-sponsor

Expands Medicaid coverage to include individual, group, and phone tobacco cessation counseling by a broader set of qualified providers.

REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 881

Summary — S.881 (2025): An Act providing Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation programs

Main purpose

The bill clarifies and expands what counts as “tobacco use cessation counseling” under Massachusetts Medicaid law (Chapter 118E, §10M), with the intent of ensuring Medicaid reimbursement for a broader set of counseling modalities and counseling providers who deliver tobacco cessation services.

Key provisions

  • Amends Chapter 118E, section 10M by adding the following definition/clarification:
    • “tobacco use cessation counseling” shall include individual, group and phone counseling delivered by a physician, dentist, behavioral health counselor, mental health counselor, certified tobacco use cessation counselor, or other qualified clinician.
  • The insertion is placed at the end of §10M (Medicaid-related statute); the change is limited to the statutory definition/coverage language and does not itself specify reimbursement rates, billing codes, or administrative rules.

Who would be affected

  • Medicaid enrollees (MassHealth beneficiaries) who use tobacco or nicotine products — greater access to covered cessation counseling across multiple modes (in-person individual and group, and by phone).
  • Providers — physicians, dentists, behavioral and mental health counselors, certified tobacco cessation counselors, and other clinicians who may now be explicitly eligible to provide reimbursable cessation counseling.
  • Massachusetts Medicaid program administrators and managed-care plans — required to interpret and implement the expanded coverage in provider enrollment, billing, and claims processing.
  • Public health outcomes — potentially increased uptake of cessation services, leading over time to reduced tobacco-related morbidity and costs.

Procedural status & timeline (as provided)

  • Introduced in the Senate: March 6, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 1233; Senate No. 881).
  • Referred to committee(s): various records show referral to Health Care Financing and (inconsistently) to Higher Education and Environment and Public Works.
  • Hearings: listed as scheduled July 15, 2025 (Gardner Auditorium) and noted as “hearings held” on Sept 10, 2025.
  • Current status in the provided record: REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION (this appears to conflict with the bill’s subject and other committee referrals).

Implementation notes & likely next steps

  • Administrative action (regulations, provider manuals, billing guidance) will be needed to operationalize coverage (define “other qualified clinician,” set billing codes, establish documentation standards).
  • The statute as drafted clarifies covered provider types and modes but does not appropriate funds or set reimbursement levels; fiscal impacts would depend on administrative implementation and utilization changes.

Note: The metadata provided with this bill contains several inconsistencies (title about higher education, mixed committee referrals, and a sponsors list that appears to mix federal names). The summary above is based on the bill text filed with Senate No. 881, which concerns Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation counseling.

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

Sign in to ask a question.