Coverage for the provision of services by a recovery coach

[Text of section applicable to all contracts entered into, renewed or amended on or after January 1, 2026. See 2024, 285, Sec. 46.] Section 8CCC. Any contract between a subscriber and the corporation under an individual or group hospital service plan that is delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide coverage for the provision of services by a recovery coach licensed or otherwise authorized to practice under chapter 111J, regardless of the setting in which these services are provided; provided, however, that such services shall be within the lawful scope of practice of a recovery coach. The contractual rate for these services shall be not less than the prevailing MassHealth rate for recovery coach services. The benefits in this section shall not be subject to any deductible, coinsurance, copayments or out-of-pocket limits; provided, however, that cost-sharing shall be required if the applicable plan is governed by the federal Internal Revenue Code and would lose its tax-exempt status as a result of the prohibition on cost-sharing for this service. Recovery coach services shall not require prior authorization.