The bill outlines the requirements for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) Office of Medicaid (MassHealth) to ensure compliance with mental health parity laws for Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) and other contracted entities. It mandates that these organizations conduct a compliance examination every four years and submit annual reports summarizing their adherence to the federal Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, as well as applicable state laws. The bill also specifies that all MCO and Accountable Care Partnership Plan (ACPP) contracts must include language requiring contractors to review their practices for compliance and submit certifications to EOHHS.

Additionally, the bill introduces new contract language for MCOs, ACPPs, Senior Care Organizations (SCOs), and One Care plans (ICOs) that emphasizes the necessity of compliance with mental health parity laws. It requires these organizations to review their administrative practices and submit certifications regarding their compliance status. The report also highlights MassHealth's ongoing efforts to integrate behavioral health services with physical health care, including the launch of a new Office of Accountable Care and Behavioral Health and the introduction of an annual behavioral health wellness examination. These initiatives aim to improve access to care and ensure that mental health and substance use disorder benefits are treated equitably compared to medical and surgical benefits.