MA S1493

Secretary of Health and Human Services must create a secure online portal for real-time psychiatric and substance use disorder bed searches, showing location, care specialty, and insurance requirements for all licensed inpatient beds

Department of Public Health cannot approve determination of need applications if the Office of Health Resource Planning finds existing health care resource supply already exceeds projected need at the statewide or regional level

Hospitals must file annual plans within 30 days of their fiscal year to eliminate unnecessary duplicate diagnostic services, including adoption of interoperable electronic health records; hospitals face civil penalties up to $500,000 for non-compliance

Health insurers may deny payment for duplicate diagnostic services unless medically necessary, and hospitals cannot balance bill patients for denied duplicate services

All licensed facilities must operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for admissions and discharges