MS HB616

Prohibits health carriers and insurance professionals from denying, canceling, or restricting health benefit plans based on an applicant's or insured's abuse status, effective July 1, 2010.

Requires health carriers to protect confidential abuse information and restricts disclosure except to the subject of abuse, healthcare providers, designated physicians, courts, reinsurers, or entities with written agreements to maintain confidentiality.

Mandates health carriers take adverse actions based on abuse-related medical conditions only if they can demonstrate the action does not treat abuse status as a medical condition and applies equally to all insureds with similar conditions.

Requires health carriers to develop written policies with procedures for protecting the safety and privacy of abuse subjects and distribute policies to employees and contracted insurance professionals.

Authorizes the Commissioner of Insurance to investigate complaints and enforce violations through suspension or revocation of licenses, civil penalties, cease and desist orders, injunctive relief, or restitution requirements.