Senate Bill 2699 Summary

• Requires all health benefit plans issued in Mississippi to provide coverage for gastric neurostimulator ("pacemaker") procedures using an institutional review board-approved protocol.

• Allows health benefit plans to require prior authorization and impose copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance for gastric pacemaker procedures on the same basis as other covered benefits.

• Amends Mississippi Code Section 43-13-117 to authorize Medicaid reimbursement for gastric neurostimulator surgical procedures for eligible beneficiaries.

• Defines "gastric pacemaker" as a medical device using electrical stimulation to treat gastroparesis (a neuromuscular stomach disorder causing delayed food emptying).

• Effective July 1, 2012.