reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 176q § 5 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176q - Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector|Section 5 - Requirements for Health Insurance Plans and Stand-Alone Vision and Dental Plans Offered Through Connector

Section 5. (a) Only health insurance plans and stand-alone vision or stand-alone dental plans that have been authorized by the commissioner and underwritten by a carrier may be offered through the connector.  (b) Each health plan or stand-alone vision or stand-alone dental plans offered through the connector shall contain a detailed description of benefits offered, including maximums, limitations, exclusions and other benefit limits.  (c) No health plan or stand-alone vision or stand-alone dental plans shall be offered through the connector that excludes an individual from coverage because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, health status, personal appearance, political affiliation, source of income, or age.  (d) Health plans receiving the connector seal of approval shall meet all requirements of health benefit plans as defined in section 1 of chapter 176J; provided, however, in order to encourage lower cost, high quality health benefit plans, that plans shall not be required to meet health care delivery network design provisions in any other law or regulation, and shall be free to contract on a mutually agreed basis with, or determine not to contract with, any provider for covered services; provided, however, that the contracted network meets the requirements set forth by the board of the connector.
MA Gen L ch 176q § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176q - Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector|Section 6 - Binding Agreement as Condition of Participation in Connector for Eligible Small Groups

Section 6. Eligible small groups seeking to be a participating institution shall, as a condition of participation in the connector, enter in a binding agreement with the connector which, at a minimum, shall stipulate the following:—  (a) that the employer agrees that, for the term of agreement, the employer will not offer to eligible individuals to participate in the connector any separate or competing group health plan offering the same, or substantially the same, benefits provided through the connector;  (b) that the employer reserves the right to determine, subject to applicable law, the criteria for eligibility, enrollment and participation in the connector and the amounts of the employer contributions, if any, to such health plan, provided that, for the term of the agreement with the connector, the employer agrees not to change or amend any such criteria or contribution amounts at anytime other than during a period designated by the connector for participating employer health plans;  (c) that the employers shall participate in a payroll deduction program to facilitate the payment of health benefit plan premium payments by employees to benefit from exclusions from gross income under 26 U.S.C. 104, 105, 106 and 125; and  (d) that the employer agrees to make available, in a timely manner, for confidential review by the executive director, any of the employer's documents, records or information that the connector reasonably determines is necessary for the executive director to:—  (1) verify that the employer is in compliance with applicable federal and commonwealth laws relating to group health insurance plans, particularly those provisions of such laws relating to non-discrimination in coverage; and  (2) verify the eligibility, under the terms of the health plan, of those individuals enrolled in the employer's participating health plan.
MA Gen L ch 176q § 7a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176q - Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector|Section 7a - Small Group Wellness Incentive Pilot Program

Section 7A. (a) There shall be a small group wellness incentive pilot program to expand the prevalence of employee wellness initiatives by small businesses. The program shall be administered by the board, in consultation with the department of public health. The program shall provide subsidies and technical assistance for eligible small groups to implement evidence-based employee health and wellness programs to improve employee health, decrease employer health costs and increase productivity.  (b) An eligible small group shall be qualified to participate in the program if:  (1) the eligible small group purchases group coverage through the connector;  (2) the eligible small group enrolls in an evidence-based, employee wellness program offered through the connector;  (3) the eligible small group meets certain minimum criteria, as determined by the board; and  (4) the eligible small group meets certain minimum employee participation requirements in the qualified wellness program, as determined by the board, in collaboration with the department of public health.  (c) For eligible small groups participating in the program, the connector shall provide an annual subsidy not to exceed 15 per cent of eligible employer health care costs, as calculated by the board. If the director determines that funds are insufficient to meet the projected costs of enrolling new eligible employers, the director shall impose a cap on enrollment in the program.  (d) The connector shall report annually to the joint committee on community development and small businesses, the joint committee on health care financing and the house and senate committees on ways and means on the enrollment in the small business wellness incentive program and evaluate the impact of the program on expanding wellness initiatives for small groups.  (e) The connector shall adopt regulations to implement this section.
MA Gen L ch 176q § 10 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176q - Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector|Section 10 - Seal of Approval

Section 10. The connector seal of approval shall be assigned to health benefit plans or stand-alone vision or stand-alone dental plans, as applicable, that the board determines: (i) meet the requirements of subsection (d) of section 5; (ii) provide good value to consumer; (iii) offer high quality; and (iv) are offered through the connector.
MA Gen L ch 176q § 11 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176q - Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector|Section 11 - Enrollment in Connector by Producer; Commission

Section 11. When an eligible individual, eligible child or eligible small group is enrolled in the connector by a producer licensed in the commonwealth, the health plan or stand-alone vision or stand-alone dental plan chosen by each eligible individual, eligible child or eligible small group shall pay the producer a commission that shall be determined by the board. In setting the commission for health plans, the board of the connector shall consider rates of commissions paid to producers for health plans issued under chapter 176J as of January 1, 2006.
MA Gen L ch 176q § 12 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176q - Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector|Section 12 - Surcharge to Health Benefit or Stand-Alone Vision or Dental Plans; Reports; Withdrawal of Health Plan From Connector

Section 12. (a) The connector may apply a surcharge to all health benefit plans or stand-alone vision or stand-alone dental plans which shall be used only to pay for administrative and operational expenses of the connector; provided, however, that any such surcharge shall be applied uniformly to all health benefit plans or uniformly to all stand-alone vision or stand-alone dental plans offered through the connector and subconnectors; and provided further, that a subconnector may charge an additional fee to be used only to pay for additional administrative and operational expenses of the subconnector.  (b) Each carrier participating in the connector shall be required to furnish such reasonable reports as the board determines necessary to enable the executive director to carry out his duties under this chapter.  (c) The board may withdraw a health plan from the connector only after notice to the carrier.
MA Gen L ch 176q § 13 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176q - Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector|Section 13 - Expenses Incurred by Connector; Liabilities; Indemnity and Reimbursement; Rights and Property of Connector Upon Dissolution, Etc.

Section 13. (a) All expenses incurred in carrying out this chapter shall be payable solely from funds provided under the authority of this chapter and no liability or obligations shall be incurred by the connector hereunder beyond the extent to which monies shall have been provided under this chapter.  (b) The connector shall be liable on all claims made as a result of the activities, whether ministerial or discretionary, of any member, officer, or employee of the connector acting as such, except for willful dishonesty or intentional violation of the law, in the same manner and to the same extent as a private person under like circumstances; provided, however, that the connector shall not be liable to levy or execution on any real or personal property to satisfy judgment, for interest prior to judgment, for punitive damages or for any amount in excess of $100,000.  (c) No person shall be liable to the commonwealth, to the connector or to any other person as a result of his activities, whether ministerial or discretionary, as a member, officer or employee of the connector except for willful dishonesty or intentional violation of the law; provided, however, that such person shall provide reasonable cooperation to the connector in the defense of any claim. Failure of such person to provide reasonable cooperation shall cause him to be jointly liable with the connector, to the extent that such failure prejudiced the defense of the action.  (d) The connector may indemnify or reimburse any person, or his personal representative, for losses or expenses, including legal fees and costs, arising from any claim, action, proceeding, award, compromise, settlement or judgment resulting from such person's activities, whether ministerial or discretionary, as a member, officer or employee of the connector; provided that the defense of settlement thereof shall have been made by counsel approved by the connector. The connector may procure insurance for itself and for its members, officers and employees against liabilities, losses and expenses which may be incurred by virtue of this section or otherwise.  (e) No civil action hereunder shall be brought more than 3 years after the date upon which the cause thereof accrued.  (f) Upon dissolution, liquidation or other termination of the connector, all rights and properties of the connector shall pass to and be vested in the commonwealth, subject to the rights of lien holders and other creditors. In addition, any net earnings of the connector, beyond that necessary for retirement of any indebtedness or to implement the public purpose or purposes or program of the commonwealth, shall not inure to the benefit of any person other than the commonwealth.
MA Gen L ch 176q § 14 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176q - Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector|Section 14 - Accounting; Audits

Section 14. The connector shall keep an accurate account of all its activities and of all its receipts and expenditures and shall annually make a report thereof as of the end of its fiscal year to its board, to the governor, to the general court, and to the state auditor, such reports to be in a form prescribed by the board, with the written approval of the auditor. The board or the auditor may investigate the affairs of the connector, may severally examine the properties and records of the connector, and may prescribe methods of accounting and the rendering of periodical reports in relation to projects undertaken by the connector. The connector shall be subject to audit by the state auditor, in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards, once every 3 years and as often as the state auditor determines is necessary.
MA Gen L ch 176q § 15 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176q - Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector|Section 15 - Study of Connector and Enrolled Persons; Written Report

Section 15. No later than 2 years after the connector begins operation and every year thereafter, the connector shall conduct a study of the connector and the persons enrolled in the connector and shall submit a written report to the governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the chairs of the joint committee on health care financing, and the house and senate committees on ways and means on status and activities of the connector based on data collected in the study. The report shall also be available to the general public upon request. The study shall review:—  (1) the operation and administration of the connector, including surveys and reports of health benefits plans available to eligible individuals and on the experience of the plans. The experience on the plans shall include data on enrollees in the connector and enrollees purchasing health benefit plans as defined by chapter 176J outside of the connector, expenses, claims statistics, complaints data, how the connector met its goals, and other information deemed pertinent by the connector; and  (2) any significant observations regarding utilization and adoption of the connector.
MA Gen L ch 176q § 15a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176q - Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector|Section 15a - Special Commission to Investigate and Study Role of Connector

Section 15A. There shall be a special commission to investigate and study the role of the connector in providing access to health insurance products. The commission shall examine the connector's utilization of private sector entities, including insurance brokers, and shall investigate ways to promote efficient enrollment of uninsured individuals into health insurance and prevent unnecessary duplications in the market. The commission shall consist of the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on financial services and the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on health care financing, 1 member of the house who shall be appointed by the minority leader and 1 member of the senate who shall be appointed by the minority leader. The commission shall report its findings and recommendations, including any recommendations for proposed legislation, at least annually, to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives.
MA Gen L ch 176q § 16 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176q - Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector|Section 16 - Regulations

Section 16. The connector may adopt regulations to implement this chapter.
MA Gen L ch 176r § 1 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176r - Consumer Choice of Nurse Practitioner Services|Section 1 - Definitions

Section 1. As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:  ''Carrier'', an insurer licensed or otherwise authorized to transact accident or health insurance under chapter 175; a nonprofit hospital service corporation organized under chapter 176A; a nonprofit medical service corporation organized under chapter 176B; a health maintenance organization organized under chapter 176G; an organization entering into a preferred provider arrangement under chapter 176I; a contributory group general or blanket insurance for persons in the service of the commonwealth under chapter 32A; a contributory group general or blanket insurance for persons in the service of counties, cities, towns and districts, and their dependents under chapter 32B; the medical assistance program administered by the division of medical assistance pursuant to chapter 118E and in accordance with Title XIX of the Social Security Act or any successor statute; and any other medical assistance program operated by a governmental unit for persons categorically eligible for such program.  ''Commissioner'', the commissioner of insurance.  ''Insured'', an enrollee, covered person, insured, member, policyholder or subscriber of a carrier.  ''Nondiscriminatory basis'', a carrier shall be deemed to be providing coverage on a non-discriminatory basis if its plan does not contain any annual or lifetime dollar or unit of service limitation imposed on coverage for the care provided by a nurse practitioner which is less than any annual or lifetime dollar or unit of service limitation imposed on coverage for the same services by other participating providers.  ''Nurse practitioner'', a registered nurse who holds authorization in advanced nursing practice as a nurse practitioner under section 80B of chapter 112 and regulations promulgated thereunder.  ''Participating provider'', a provider who, under the terms and conditions of a contract with the carrier or with its contractor or subcontractor, has agreed to provide health care services to an insured with an expectation of receiving payment, other than coinsurance, co-payments or deductibles, directly or indirectly from the carrier.  ''Primary care provider'', a health care professional qualified to provide general medical care for common health care problems, supervises, coordinates, prescribes, or otherwise provides or proposes health care services, initiates referrals for specialist care, and maintains continuity of care within the scope of practice.
MA Gen L ch 176r § 2 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176r - Consumer Choice of Nurse Practitioner Services|Section 2 - Recognition of Nurse Practitioners as Participating Providers; Coverage for Care Provided

Section 2. The commissioner and the group insurance commission shall require that all carriers recognize nurse practitioners as participating providers subject to section 3 and shall include coverage on a nondiscriminatory basis to their insureds for care provided by nurse practitioners for the purposes of health maintenance, diagnosis and treatment. Such coverage shall include benefits for primary care, intermediate care and inpatient care, including care provided in a hospital, clinic, professional office, home care setting, long-term care setting, mental health or substance abuse program, or any other setting when rendered by a nurse practitioner who is a participating provider and is practicing within the scope of his professional license to the extent that such policy or contract currently provides benefits for identical services rendered by a provider of health care licensed by the commonwealth.
MA Gen L ch 176r § 3 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176r - Consumer Choice of Nurse Practitioner Services|Section 3 - Qualification of Nurse Practitioner as Primary Care Provider

Section 3. A participating provider nurse practitioner practicing within the scope of his license including all regulations requiring collaboration with a physician under section 80B of chapter 112, shall be considered qualified within the carrier's definition of primary care provider to an insured.
MA Gen L ch 176r § 4 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176r - Consumer Choice of Nurse Practitioner Services|Section 4 - Designation by Insured of Nurse Practitioner as Primary Care Provider

Section 4. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a carrier that requires the designation of a primary care provider shall provide its insured with an opportunity to select a participating provider nurse practitioner as a primary care provider or to change its primary care provider to a participating provider nurse practitioner at any time during their coverage period.
MA Gen L ch 176r § 5 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176r - Consumer Choice of Nurse Practitioner Services|Section 5 - Inclusion of Nurse Practitioners on Publicly Accessible List of Participating Providers

Section 5. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a carrier shall ensure that all participating provider nurse practitioners are included on any publicly accessible list of participating providers for the carrier.
MA Gen L ch 176r § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XXII - Corporations|Chapter 176r - Consumer Choice of Nurse Practitioner Services|Section 6 - Complaint Against Carrier for Noncompliance

Section 6. A complaint for noncompliance against a carrier shall be filed with and investigated by the commissioner or the group insurance commission, whichever shall have regulatory authority over the carrier. The commissioner and the group insurance commission shall promulgate regulations to enforce this chapter.