Mass. General Laws c.176B § 4SS

Subscription certificates; provision of mental health or community-based acute treatment; preauthorization

This is an unofficial version of a Massachusetts General Law. For more information on this topic, please see law about health insurance.

Updates

Added by St.2022, c.177, § 58, effective November 8, 2022

Section 4SS

(a)  “Community-based acute treatment”, 24-hour clinically managed mental health diversionary or step-down services for children and adolescents that is usually provided as an alternative to mental health acute treatment.

“Intensive community-based acute treatment”, intensive 24-hour clinically managed mental health diversionary or step-down services for children and adolescents that is usually provided as an alternative to mental health acute treatment.

“Mental health acute treatment”, 24-hour medically supervised mental health services provided in an inpatient facility, licensed by the department of mental health, that provides psychiatric evaluation, management, treatment and discharge planning in a structured treatment milieu.

(b)  A subscription certificate under an individual or group medical service agreement delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide coverage for medically necessary mental health acute treatment, community-based acute treatment, intensive community-based acute treatment and shall not require a preauthorization before obtaining treatment; provided, however, that the facility shall notify the carrier of the admission and the initial treatment plan within 72 hours of admission.

Last updated:	August 10, 2022