Page 22 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 HILL ROLL | FROM PAGE 21 the employers it serves. “Telehealth has been an important tool to ensure members have continued access to provider services during closures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In order for telehealth to truly deliver on its promise of increased access to high-quality care at lower costs, it is imperative that market-based negotiations set the reimbursement rate and any extension of mandated rates of payment be time-limited. We applaud the conference committee for ensuring that some telehealth services can be negotiated after the current state of emergency, but we are concerned that it will require health plans to reimburse for other services at the same rate as in-person visits for two years.” “While we are pleased with other provisions in the bill, such as the increased Medicaid payment rates for community hospitals, MAHP is disappointed that the fi nal conference agreement did not address the well-documented and growing concern of surprise billing in a comprehensive way,” continued Pellegrini. “Congress passed legislation which may result in higher premiums for employers and consumers, making it more important than ever that the Massachusetts Legislature establish a policy for out of network providers that is fair, but does not provide an excessive rate of payment. We look forward to working with the House and Senate on this important issue in the next session.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes COVID SPENDING WEBSITE (H 5187) House 31-126, Senate 4-35, rejected Gov. Baker’s amendment to a bill requiring the state to create a searchable website that will show how the state spends the federal funds it receives to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Baker’s amendment made several changes including deleting a section that requires the site to be updated on a weekly basis and replacing it with a requirement it be updated on a “regular” basis. “I am supportive of the intent of this section and the Offi ce of Administration and Finance is currently developing such a website,” said Baker in a letter attached to his amendment. “However, some of the requirements included in the section are unable to be implemented or are administratively burdensome, such as a requirement that the website be updated weekly. AdditionHILL ROLL | SEE PAGE 23
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