A bill could allow policyholders in Massachusetts to receive coverage for doctor-prescribed Lyme disease treatments.
The measure was added to the almost $40 million state budget approved Wednesday; it now awaits Senate approval.
Rep. David Linsky, D-Natick, filed the amendment, saying that the disease is an epidemic that is quickly spreading across the state. He cited information that revealed that some Massachusetts residents have spent $50,000 in out-of-pocket costs for the treatment of Lyme disease.
The state representative cited a study conducted by the Center for Health Insurance Analysis. The study found that the measure would add no more than 13 cents per policy.
CBS Boston reported that while the measure would require insurers to provide coverage for the treatment of the tick-borne ailment, it does not specify which types of treatments would be covered.
