Senate Bill 2320 Summary

• All individual and group health insurance policies, service contracts, and managed care entities delivering coverage in Mississippi on or after July 1, 2012, must provide coverage for colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests specified in current American Cancer Society guidelines for asymptomatic individuals.

• Coverage applies to individuals age 50 and older, or those under 50 years old who are at high risk for colorectal cancer according to American Cancer Society guidelines.

• Insurers cannot require deductibles or coinsurance for colorectal cancer screening that exceed amounts for similar benefits, and reimbursement to providers must equal or exceed Medicare rates.

• The State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan must include coverage for all colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests at frequencies specified in current American Cancer Society guidelines.

• The State Health Officer may require coverage of additional medically recognized colorectal cancer screening tests, adjust screening frequencies, or expand the definition of high-risk individuals based on new medical evidence.