MS HB876

Requires contracting agents to disclose to health care providers whether their provider lists may be sold, leased, or transferred to other payors, including workers' compensation and automobile insurers.

Mandates contracting agents inform providers of specific practices payors use to actively encourage beneficiaries to use contracted provider networks, defined as offering financial incentives or providing advance marketing materials with provider information.

Allows providers to decline inclusion on provider lists sold to payors that do not actively encourage their beneficiaries to use the network, and prohibits excluding providers based on this election.

Requires payors to identify the contracted network on explanations of benefits and demonstrate entitlement to pay discounted rates within 30 business days of provider request, or face full payment obligations and loss of discount privileges until compliance is demonstrated.

Effective July 1, 2015.