The bill aims to enhance consumer choice in health care by expanding the role and recognition of licensed athletic trainers within the educational and health care systems. It amends Section 54A of chapter 71 to require that licensed athletic trainers, who have completed annual head injury safety training, be employed at every high school in Massachusetts that offers interscholastic athletic activities. Additionally, it modifies Section 8A of chapter 69 to include the term "athletic" before "coaches" and "trainers," thereby emphasizing the specific context of athletic training in schools.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new section to chapter 176O, which ensures that licensed athletic trainers, when acting under a physician's referral and within their legal scope of practice, cannot be denied reimbursement by health insurance carriers for covered services. This provision mandates that reimbursement policies for athletic trainers must be consistent with those for other health care providers, while also allowing for reasonable deductibles and co-payments. The intent is to prevent discrimination against athletic trainer care and to ensure that their services are recognized and compensated fairly within the health care system.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 71-54A