MS HB730

Requires all individual and group health insurance policies, service contracts, health maintenance organization contracts, self-insured arrangements, and managed care entities issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2015 to provide coverage for obesity and morbid obesity treatments, including bariatric surgery, gastric bypass, lap band surgery, and related prescriptions.

Coverage must be provided when a physician issues a written order stating the individual has a body mass index 30% or more above ideal body weight and the treatment is medically necessary.

Individuals cannot be charged higher deductibles or coinsurance for obesity testing than for similar benefits, and reimbursement rates to healthcare providers must be equal to or greater than Medicare rates.

Plans are not required to cover nonparticipating providers unless no participating provider is available and accessible; if a nonparticipating provider is used, the individual pays no additional costs beyond what they would pay for a participating provider.

Coverage for obesity screening examinations and tests must be included without materially diminishing the value of required obesity treatment benefits.