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MA H4939
Bill
Status
1/23/2026
Primary Sponsor
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Click for details
AI Summary
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Requires MassHealth and its contracted insurers, health plans, HMOs, and managed care organizations to cover patient navigation services for individuals eligible for screening, follow-up, or treatment services
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Defines community health workers as frontline liaisons between patients, healthcare providers, social services, and community members who facilitate access to physical, behavioral, preventive health services and address social determinants of health
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Covered patient navigation services include chronic disease prevention and screening, social needs assessments and referrals, health education, health coaching, assistance overcoming cultural and language barriers, and diagnosis-related patient education
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Limits reimbursement to individuals who have completed a national patient navigation certification program or other training approved by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services
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Applies to all contracts entered into, renewed, or amended on or after January 1, 2026, with the Executive Office required to obtain federal authorization and maximize federal financial participation
Legislative Description
To facilitate timely access to quality health care by expanding access to patient navigation
Last Action
Reported favorably by committee and referred to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
1/23/2026