Section 50: Directs DOI To Create MLR Regulations

Instructs the Division of Insurance (DOI), in consultation with the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, to establish regulations directing health insurance carriers to calculate and report medical loss ratios of health benefit plans. The regulations must provide definitions for carriers to distinguish between medical claims expenditures and administrative cost expenditures. Before adopting final regulations, DOI must consult with designated stakeholders.

Section 5: GIC Wellness Program

Requires the Group Insurance Commission to develop a wellness program for enrollees and to offer reductions in premiums or co-payments, or other incentives to encourage enrollees to comply with the wellness program goals. After 1 year of implementation, the GIC must issue a report to the legislature noting collective data, including level of participation and health services participants received and the savings incurred as a result of the program.

Section 48: Creates Community Hospital and Community Health Center Capital Reserve Funds

Creates Community Hospital and Community Health Center Capital Reserve Funds for the benefit of nonprofit community hospitals and nonprofit community health centers licensed by the Department of Public Health. These funds are to be used solely for the payment of the principal of Health and Education Facilities Authority (HEFA) bonds. Fund beneficiaries include only facilities where the ratio of the number of physician residents-in-training to the number of inpatient beds does not exceed 0.25. The Office of Health and Human Services and the Office of Administration and Finance may require that fund beneficiaries submit financial records to verify eligibility and agree to certain terms of lending, including reimbursement to the fund in the event a facility defaults on repayment of a loan. Section 188 of chapter 240 of the acts of 2010 subsequently dissolved HEFA and merged its functions into MassDevelopment.

Section 47: Authorizes HEFA To Direct Funds To Community Hospital and Community Health Center Capital Reserve Funds

Authorizes the Health and Educational Facilities Authority (HEFA) to allocate capital reserve funds to Community Hospital and Community Health Center Capital Reserve Funds created in Section 48 of this Act. These funds will support community hospitals and community health centers through loans and grant programs according to terms in Section 48 of this Act. Section 188 of chapter 240 of the acts of 2010 subsequently dissolved HEFA and merged its functions into MassDevelopment.

Section 46: Permits HEFA To Collect Fees

Authorizes the Health and Educational Facilities Authority (HEFA) to collect fees and administrative costs associated with the delegation of funds to various programs.

Section 188 of chapter 240 of the acts of 2010 subsequently dissolved HEFA and merged its functions into MassDevelopment.

Section 44: Health Connector Small Group Wellness Incentive Program

Directs the Health Connector, in coordination with the Department of Public Health, to create a small group wellness pilot program to encourage small businesses to implement employee wellness incentive programs. The Health Connector shall provide funding and technical assistance to eligible qualified small businesses for program implementation. Funding for the subsidy program is limited and subject to state appropriation, so the Health Connector may cap enrollment in the program if funds are insufficient to meet the costs of enrolling new employers.

The Health Connector must establish regulations necessary to implement this program and annually report to the legislature on the enrollment and impact of small group wellness incentive programs.

Section 43: Requires Notice Before Implementation of Changes to MCC Standards

Requires that the Health Connector give at least 90 days notice to the legislature before implementing any changes to minimum creditable coverage standards.

In addition to establishing the standards for minimum creditable coverage, other responsibilities assigned to the Health Connector Board include offering insurance products to individuals and small businesses, publishing a schedule for premiums at which individuals of varying ages are eligible, and establishing a schedule for affordability to be used in enforcing the individual mandate based upon percentage of income eligible to be spent on health care.

Section 42: Expands the Commonwealth Health Connector Insurance Authority Board of Directors

Expands the Connector Board from 10 to 11 members to include a seat for a member of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters to be appointed by the governor. The Commonwealth Health Connector is an independent public authority established under the 2006 health reform law (Chapter 58) to set health reform policies and offer subsidized coverage to low-income adults and allow for comparison and purchase of non-subsidized private health insurance plans to individuals and groups. The Secretary for Administration and Finance serves as chairperson. Each person appointed to the Board may serve a term of 3 years and may be eligible for reappointment.