Definitions

As used in 105 CMR 271.000, the following words have the following meanings: Carrier means an insurer licensed or otherwise authorized to transact accident or health insurance under M.G.L. c. 175; a nonprofit hospital service corporation organized under M.G.L. c. 176A; a nonprofit medical service corporation organized under M.G.L. c. 176B; a health maintenance organization organized under M.G.L. c. 176G; and an organization entering into a preferred provider arrangement under M.G.L. c. 176I; but not including an employer purchasing coverage or acting on behalf of its employees or the employees of one or more subsidiaries or affiliated corporations of the employer; provided that, unless otherwise noted, the term "carrier'' shall not include any entity to the extent it offers a policy, certificate or contract that provides coverage solely for dental care services or vision care services. Commissioner means the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health. Department means the Department of Public Health. Postpartum means the period of time from the date of giving birth through six months after birth. Postpartum Depression means clinically significant physical, emotional, and behavioral changes: presenting in childbearing women following delivery with postpartum onset of symptoms of pronounced anxiety, depressed mood, despair or somatic symptoms observed or associated with (MA REG. #1275, Dated 12-5-14) postpartum parenting, which condition persists for a minimum of two weeks in an individual and requires medical or behavioral health care attention. Provider means a physician licensed under M.G.L. c. 112, § 2; a registered nurse licensed to practice and authorized to engage in an advanced practice as either a certified nurse practitioner or a certified nurse midwife pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112, § 80B; or a registered physician assistant licensed pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112, § 9I whose practice includes clinical encounters with postpartum patients. 271.003: continued Provider Organization means any corporation, partnership, business trust, association or organized group of persons which is in the business of health care delivery or management, whether incorporated or not, that represents one or more health care providers in contracting with Carriers for the payments of heath care services including but not limited to physician organizations, physician-hospital organizations, independent practice associations, provider networks, accountable care organizations and any other organization that contracts with Carriers for payment for health care services. Report means an official notice to the Department in writing, by facsimile, or by electronic means. Screening Tool means a series of questions and observation protocols that comprise a formal instrument that has been validated and accepted clinically for identifying postpartum depression including but not limited to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and similar tools identified by the Commissioner in her annual summary of effective screening tools.