MA H1218

Requires all health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover stuttering speech therapy, including both habilitative (learning/improving skills) and rehabilitative (restoring lost skills) treatment administered by licensed speech language pathologists

Prohibits insurers from imposing annual benefit limits, visit caps, or limits based on the underlying cause of stuttering, including developmental stuttering

Eliminates prior authorization and medical necessity determinations for stuttering speech therapy services

Mandates coverage for both in-person and telehealth delivery of speech therapy, using HIPAA-compliant communication platforms

Applies to state employee insurance, Medicaid, individual and group accident/sickness policies, hospital service plans, medical service plans, HMOs, and preferred provider organizations for contracts entered, renewed, or amended on or after January 1, 2026