summary
Introduced
01/28/2020
01/28/2020
In Committee
01/28/2020
01/28/2020
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/03/2020
03/03/2020
Introduced Session
2020 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Be Known As The Patient Choice Act Of 2020; To Create New Section 83-41-221, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That An Insured Is Entitled To Benefits Under A Health Benefit Plan If The Health Benefit Plan Provides For Reimbursement For The Service If Performed By A Duly Licensed Physician Or Podiatrist And The Service Is Performed By A Duly Licensed Physician Or Podiatrist; To Create New Section 83-41-223, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That A Health Benefit Plan Shall Not Discriminate Against Any Physician Who Is Located Within The Geographic Coverage Area Of The Health Benefit Plan And Who Is Willing To Meet The Terms And Conditions For Participation Established By The Health Benefit Plan; To Create New Section 83-41-225, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That Nothing In This Article Shall Be Construed To Require Or Prohibit The Same Reimbursement To Different Types Of Physicians Whose Licensed Scope Of Specialty Practice Differs; To Provide That Nothing In This Article Shall Be Construed To Require Or Prohibit Coverage Of The Services Of Any Particular Type Of Provider; To Create New Section 83-41-227, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That A Health Benefit Plan Shall Not, Directly Or Indirectly, Prohibit Or Limit A Physician That Is Qualified Under This Article And Is Willing To Accept The Health Benefit Plan's Operating Terms And Conditions, Schedule Of Fees, Covered Expenses And Utilization Regulations And Quality Standards, From The Opportunity To Participate In That Plan; To Provide That Nothing In This Article Shall Prevent A Health Benefit Plan From Instituting Measures Designed To Maintain Quality And To Control Costs, Including, But Not Limited To, The Utilization Of A Gatekeeper System, As Long As Such Measures Are Imposed Equally On All Providers In The Same Class; To Create New Section 83-41-229, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Clarify How The Article Should Be Construed; To Create New Section 83-41-231, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Clarify The Commissioner Of Insurance's Powers And Duties Regarding Article 5, Chapter 41, Title 83; To Amend Sections 83-41-203, 83-41-211, 83-41-213 And 83-41-215, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Revise Certain Existing Laws Providing For Choice Of Practitioner; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the Patient Choice Act of 2020, creates new sections in the Mississippi Code to provide several key protections and requirements related to health benefit plans. The bill:
1) Entitles insured individuals to benefits for services performed by licensed physicians or podiatrists if the health benefit plan covers those services when performed by a licensed provider.
2) Prohibits health benefit plans from discriminating against any qualified physician willing to meet the plan's participation requirements.
3) Clarifies that the bill does not require the same reimbursement for different types of physicians or mandate coverage of any specific provider type.
4) Prohibits health benefit plans from directly or indirectly limiting the participation of qualified physicians who are willing to accept the plan's terms.
5) Authorizes the Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance to enforce the provisions of the bill using the powers granted in the Mississippi Insurance Code.
The bill also amends existing laws to extend similar requirements and protections to other licensed provider types, such as optometrists, psychologists, and chiropractors.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 03/03/2020)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2020/pdf/history/HB/HB0315.xml |
| BillText | http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2020/html/HB/0300-0399/HB0315IN.htm |
| Bill | http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2020/pdf/HB/0300-0399/HB0315IN.pdf |
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