MS HB754

Requires all individual and group health insurance policies, service contracts, health maintenance organizations, self-insured arrangements, and managed care entities operating in Mississippi to provide coverage for hearing aids and services for deaf and hearing impaired individuals effective July 1, 2015.

Coverage must be provided when a prescribing physician issues a written order stating the individual is deaf or hearing impaired and treatment is medically cleared, including all hearing examinations and tests.

Prohibits insurers from requiring deductibles or coinsurance for hearing-related testing greater than annual deductibles for similar benefits; if no similar benefit exists, deductibles cannot materially diminish the value of the required coverage.

Requires reimbursement rates to health care providers for deaf and hearing impaired treatment to equal or exceed Medicare (Title XVII Social Security Act) reimbursement rates.

Allows plans to use nonparticipating providers only when appropriate participating providers are unavailable or inaccessible, with services provided at no additional cost to the individual beyond what would be paid with a participating provider.