A buried provision in Massachusetts H2371 gives physician assistants the same insurance reimbursement rights as physicians—and it matters if you employ or contract with one.
Most salon and personal care business owners in Massachusetts don't realize that a provision buried in H2371—a bill focused on removing barriers for physician assistants—could affect how they get paid if they employ or contract with a PA.
Here's what's happening: Massachusetts has long allowed physician assistants to provide services, but insurers have treated them differently than physicians when it comes to direct billing and reimbursement. That gap created friction for small businesses. Now, Section 5 of H2371 changes that.
The provision, found in Section 5 on page 2 of 4, amends Section 9E of Chapter 112 of Massachusetts General Laws. In plain terms: insurers must now reimburse physician assistant services at the same rate they reimburse physician services for the same work.
This eliminates a payment gap that previously existed. Before, a salon or personal care business employing a PA might have faced two problems. First, insurers might pay less for the same service when a PA provided it versus when a physician did. Second, the business might have been forced to route billing through a physician intermediary rather than billing directly—adding administrative steps and delays.
Under the amended law, that changes. A PA working in your salon can now bill insurers directly, at the same reimbursement rate a physician would receive for identical services. No physician intermediary required. No payment penalty for using a PA instead of a physician.
This matters most if you:
For these businesses, the change removes a financial and operational barrier. You gain clearer, more direct reimbursement pathways. Your PA's services are valued equally by insurers. Your billing becomes simpler.
For the specific effective date and any transition windows, you'll want to review H2371 directly or consult with your accountant or insurance billing specialist. The amendment is in Section 5, amending the fourth and fifth paragraphs of Section 9E of Chapter 112.
If you employ or work with a PA, review your current insurance contracts and billing practices. You may find opportunities to streamline reimbursement or adjust your staffing model now that the legal barrier has been removed. If you've been considering hiring a PA but were hesitant because of payment uncertainty, this provision removes one major concern.
Your insurance billing contact or accountant can walk you through how this applies to your specific situation and contracts.
For a detailed, business-specific summary of H2371 and how it affects your operations, contact your state trade association or local business resource center.