MA S697

Requires insurance coverage for services provided by certified nurse midwives across multiple insurance types, including the Group Insurance Commission (state employees), commercial insurers, hospital service plans, medical service corporations, and HMOs

Mandates reimbursement parity: certified nurse midwives must be paid the same rate as licensed physicians for identical services in the same geographic area

Prohibits insurers from reducing physician reimbursement rates as a means of achieving compliance with the equal payment requirement

Coverage applies only when services fall within the nurse midwife's authorized scope of practice and when the insurance policy already covers the same service when performed by a physician

Amends five chapters of Massachusetts General Laws (Chapters 32A, 175, 176A, 176B, and 176G) to implement these requirements across different insurance regulatory frameworks