Earlier this year, Governor Charlie Baker signed into law an Act to Protect Access to Confidential Healthcare (the PATCH Act), which prevents information regarding “sensitive health care services” from being shared with anyone other than the patient in the form of Explanation of Benefits (EOB) and Summary of Payment (SOP) forms. When more than one person is covered by the same medical insurance plan, sensitive health care information can be disclosed through the use of these common forms, sometimes including information on sexual assault, domestic violence, mental health disorders, or sexual and reproductive health. When the EOB or SOP is provided to the named policyholder—rather than the specific beneficiary that the services described therein relate to—the beneficiary’s confidentiality can be compromised. 
Continue Reading Massachusetts PATCH Act, Requires Additional Protection for Certain Confidential Health Care Information