MA H4162

Requires all health insurers in Massachusetts (including Group Insurance Commission, Medicaid, HMOs, and private insurers) to cover medical supplies for ostomy care and management of surgically created or spontaneous fistulas

Mandates that ostomy care information, patient history, and prescriptions be transferred to new insurers within 72 hours when patients change coverage, with no delays to supply orders during transitions

Requires acute-care hospitals performing ostomy surgery to employ certified healthcare professionals specializing in ostomy care and ensure access to outpatient follow-up care

Establishes that ostomy supply prescriptions must be valid for at least 1 year, physicians may prescribe quantities exceeding insurance limits when medically necessary, and fulfillment cannot be delayed by approval processes

Requires suppliers to provide 1 month advance notice before prescription expiration or product substitution, with samples of substitute products provided and patient right to return to original product if quality is compromised