By Mr. Rush, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2600) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael F. Rush for legislation to require health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems. Financial Services.
Summary up to date
Generates a plain-language summary of the bill text and history.
No summary yet. Click the button to generate one.
Date
Branch
Action
1/29/2026
Senate
1/29/2026 SenateAccompanied a study order, see S2931↗
12/4/2025
Senate
12/4/2025 SenateBill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
9/26/2025
Joint
9/26/2025 JointHearing scheduled for 10/08/2025 from 10:30 AM-02:30 PM in Gardner Auditorium
9/8/2025
House
9/8/2025 HouseHouse concurred
8/11/2025
Senate
8/11/2025 SenateReferred to the committee on Financial Services
8/11/2025
Senate
8/11/2025 SenateRules suspended
6/30/2025
Senate
6/30/2025 SenateReferred to the committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently
Section 17E of Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended in subsection (a) after “Prosthesis” in line 3 by inserting following definition:-
“Scalp cooling system”, any device used to cool the human scalp to prevent or reduce hair loss during cancer chemotherapy treatment, provided that such device is designed and intended for repeated use and is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose
▸SECTION 2
Section 17E of Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended in subsection (b) by inserting in line 10 after the word “prosthesis” the following:-
“or scalp cooling systems”; and in said subsection by inserting in line 13 after the word “prosthesis” the following:-
“and scalp cooling systems”; and in said subsection by inserting in line 16 after the word “prosthesis” the following:-
“and scalp cooling systems”
▸SECTION 3
Chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 47UU, the following:-
▸SECTION 47V
V. Coverage for scalp cooling systems
▸SECTION 47V
V. (a) For the purpose of this section the following terms shall have the following meanings:-
“Scalp cooling system”, any device used to cool the human scalp to prevent or reduce hair loss during cancer chemotherapy treatment, provided that such device is designed and intended for repeated use and is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose
(b) Every policy delivered or issued for delivery in the commonwealth that provides medical, major medical, or similar comprehensive type explanation coverage and provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment shall provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used in connection with cancer chemotherapy treatment. Coverage provided under this section may be subject to annual deductibles and coinsurance, including copayments consistent with those established for other benefits within a given policy. Scalp cooling system coverage pursuant to this section shall not exceed an amount of $300 per year.
▸SECTION 4
Chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 8VV, the following:-
▸SECTION 8W
W. Coverage for scalp cooling systems
▸SECTION 8W
W. (a) For the purpose of this section the following terms shall have the following meanings:-
“Scalp cooling system”, any device used to cool the human scalp to prevent or reduce hair loss during cancer chemotherapy treatment, provided that such device is designed and intended for repeated use and is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose
(b) Any non-profit hospital service corporation that issues a subscription certificate that provides coverage for hospital or medical expenses and includes coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment shall also provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used in connection with such treatment.
(c) Coverage provided under this section may be subject to annual deductibles and coinsurance requirements, including copayments, consistent with those established for other benefits under the same certificate. Scalp cooling system coverage pursuant to this section shall not exceed an amount of $300 per year.
▸SECTION 5
Chapter 176B of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 4VV, the following:-
▸SECTION 4W
W. Coverage for scalp cooling systems
▸SECTION 4W
W. (a) For the purpose of this section the following terms shall have the following meanings:-
“Scalp cooling system”, any device used to cool the human scalp to prevent or reduce hair loss during cancer chemotherapy treatment, provided that such device is designed and intended for repeated use and is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose
(b) Every medical service corporation that provides individual or group coverage for medical services and includes coverage for cancer chemotherapy shall provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used in connection with such treatment.
(c) Such coverage may be subject to the same deductible, copayment, and coinsurance provisions applicable to other medical services covered under the plan. Scalp cooling system coverage pursuant to this section shall not exceed an amount of $300 per year.
▸SECTION 6
Chapter 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 4NN, the following:-
▸SECTION 4O
O. Coverage for scalp cooling systems
▸SECTION 4O
O. (a) For the purpose of this section the following terms shall have the following meanings:-
“Scalp cooling system”, any device used to cool the human scalp to prevent or reduce hair loss during cancer chemotherapy treatment, provided that such device is designed and intended for repeated use and is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose
(b) Every health maintenance organization licensed under this chapter that issues evidence of coverage for health care services and includes cancer chemotherapy treatment shall provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used in connection with such treatment.
(c) Coverage may be subject to cost-sharing provisions, including deductibles and copayments, consistent with other benefits under the plan. Scalp cooling system coverage pursuant to this section shall not exceed an amount of $300 per year.
▸SECTION 7
Chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 10Q, the following:-
▸SECTION 10R
Coverage for scalp cooling systems
The division shall provide coverage for scalp cooling systems, as defined in Section 47VV of Chapter 175, when used in connection with cancer chemotherapy treatment, under the medical assistance program established pursuant to this chapter. Scalp cooling system coverage pursuant to this section shall not exceed an amount of $300 per year.
▸SECTION 8
This act shall apply to all contracts entered into, renewed or amended on or after January 1, 2026.
Show raw text
SECTION 1. Section 17E of Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended in subsection (a) after “Prosthesis” in line 3 by inserting following definition:-
“Scalp cooling system”, any device used to cool the human scalp to prevent or reduce hair loss during cancer chemotherapy treatment, provided that such device is designed and intended for repeated use and is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose
SECTION 2. Section 17E of Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended in subsection (b) by inserting in line 10 after the word “prosthesis” the following:-
“or scalp cooling systems”; and in said subsection by inserting in line 13 after the word “prosthesis” the following:-
“and scalp cooling systems”; and in said subsection by inserting in line 16 after the word “prosthesis” the following:-
“and scalp cooling systems”
SECTION 3. Chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 47UU, the following:-
Section 47VV. Coverage for scalp cooling systems
Section 47VV. (a) For the purpose of this section the following terms shall have the following meanings:-
“Scalp cooling system”, any device used to cool the human scalp to prevent or reduce hair loss during cancer chemotherapy treatment, provided that such device is designed and intended for repeated use and is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose
(b) Every policy delivered or issued for delivery in the commonwealth that provides medical, major medical, or similar comprehensive type explanation coverage and provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment shall provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used in connection with cancer chemotherapy treatment. Coverage provided under this section may be subject to annual deductibles and coinsurance, including copayments consistent with those established for other benefits within a given policy. Scalp cooling system coverage pursuant to this section shall not exceed an amount of $300 per year.
SECTION 4. Chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 8VV, the following:-
Section 8WW. Coverage for scalp cooling systems
Section 8WW. (a) For the purpose of this section the following terms shall have the following meanings:-
“Scalp cooling system”, any device used to cool the human scalp to prevent or reduce hair loss during cancer chemotherapy treatment, provided that such device is designed and intended for repeated use and is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose
(b) Any non-profit hospital service corporation that issues a subscription certificate that provides coverage for hospital or medical expenses and includes coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment shall also provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used in connection with such treatment.
(c) Coverage provided under this section may be subject to annual deductibles and coinsurance requirements, including copayments, consistent with those established for other benefits under the same certificate. Scalp cooling system coverage pursuant to this section shall not exceed an amount of $300 per year.
SECTION 5. Chapter 176B of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 4VV, the following:-
Section 4WW. Coverage for scalp cooling systems
Section 4WW. (a) For the purpose of this section the following terms shall have the following meanings:-
“Scalp cooling system”, any device used to cool the human scalp to prevent or reduce hair loss during cancer chemotherapy treatment, provided that such device is designed and intended for repeated use and is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose
(b) Every medical service corporation that provides individual or group coverage for medical services and includes coverage for cancer chemotherapy shall provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used in connection with such treatment.
(c) Such coverage may be subject to the same deductible, copayment, and coinsurance provisions applicable to other medical services covered under the plan. Scalp cooling system coverage pursuant to this section shall not exceed an amount of $300 per year.
SECTION 6. Chapter 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 4NN, the following:-
Section 4OO. Coverage for scalp cooling systems
Section 4OO. (a) For the purpose of this section the following terms shall have the following meanings:-
“Scalp cooling system”, any device used to cool the human scalp to prevent or reduce hair loss during cancer chemotherapy treatment, provided that such device is designed and intended for repeated use and is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose
(b) Every health maintenance organization licensed under this chapter that issues evidence of coverage for health care services and includes cancer chemotherapy treatment shall provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used in connection with such treatment.
(c) Coverage may be subject to cost-sharing provisions, including deductibles and copayments, consistent with other benefits under the plan. Scalp cooling system coverage pursuant to this section shall not exceed an amount of $300 per year.
SECTION 7. Chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 10Q, the following:-
Section 10R. Coverage for scalp cooling systems
The division shall provide coverage for scalp cooling systems, as defined in Section 47VV of Chapter 175, when used in connection with cancer chemotherapy treatment, under the medical assistance program established pursuant to this chapter. Scalp cooling system coverage pursuant to this section shall not exceed an amount of $300 per year.
SECTION 8. This act shall apply to all contracts entered into, renewed or amended on or after January 1, 2026.