MS HB550

Health insurance policies and employee benefit plans delivered or renewed in Mississippi must not preclude or penalize members from using the state's academic medical center, including its hospitals, providers, clinics, and satellite locations, regardless of contract status.

Insurers must reimburse the state's academic medical center at a rate equal to or greater than the highest amount reimbursed to any other in-state contracting entity.

Services performed only at the state's academic medical center (not available at other in-state providers) must be reimbursed at rates equal to or greater than the highest amount paid to out-of-state entities in the region (Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee).

Services unique to the state's academic medical center not available regionally or nationally must be reimbursed at rates equal to or greater than the highest national out-of-state contracting entity rates.

The act becomes effective July 1, 2014.