The
Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) wishes to be recorded in support of S.604
and H. 604, “An Act To Increase MassHealth Rates.” The MMS is grateful to Senator Michael Brady
and Representative Michelle Dubois for filing this legislation.
This
bill would implement “pay parity” whereby MassHealth rates would be equal to or
greater than Medicare rates for the same services.
For
physicians, access to care is a top priority.
All physicians want consumers to have access to quality health care
services, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. But presently, MassHealth does not reimburse
sufficiently to protect “physician viability”, that is the ability of a
physician to maintain an office practice.
Reimbursing providers at approximately half of what Medicare pays does
not cover the costs of providing services to Medicaid enrollees, and thus, serves
as a disincentive to physicians and other health care providers participating
in the MassHealth program.
This
bill ensure MassHealth patients access to care by requiring reimbursement
levels to be sufficient to allow physician practices to sustainably treat their
existing MassHealth patients, and accept new MassHealth patients.
We urge the Committee to report this legislation out favorably.
