H 4953 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act promoting consumer choice in health care

This bill requires health insurance companies to reimburse licensed athletic trainers (with physician referrals) for services they're legally allowed to provide, on the same terms as other covered providers. It applies only to health plans that already cover similar services or conditions within athletic trainers' scope of practice. Insurers cannot impose additional cost-sharing (like higher deductibles) or utilization restrictions that unfairly target athletic trainer care, though standard plan rules still apply. The law ensures athletic trainers are treated equally for covered services without expanding their scope of practice.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 28, 2026 Last action Aug 10, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Aug 10, 2026
Committee
Referred to the committee on House Ways and Means with the amendment pending
lower
Aug 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee recommended ought to pass with an amendment, substituting therefor a bill with the same title, see H5645
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from the committee on Financial Services
lower
0 primary · 3 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.