An Act to support behavioral health prevention for children

H 4893 requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover at least six sessions of preventive behavioral health services for individuals under 21 who have a positive screening for depression, anxiety, or other emotional concerns (or for infants whose caregivers screen positive for postpartum depression), without cost-sharing or prior authorization. This applies to group insurance plans for state employees, private insurance policies, and health plans governed by state law, covering individual, family, or group sessions delivered in pediatric primary care, community, or school settings. Insurers must accept alternative diagnosis codes (like Social Determinants of Health Z-codes) for billing these services. The bill directly affects children, adolescents, and infants with early behavioral health screenings by mandating accessible, no-cost preventive care to help prevent more severe conditions.