House Bill 952 Summary

• Creates Section 83-9-24 to prohibit health plans and policies from requiring higher co-payments, deductibles, or coinsurance for patient-administered anti-cancer medications (including oral and self-injected) than for provider-administered anti-cancer medications, effective January 1, 2016.

• Prohibits health plans from complying with the anti-cancer medication requirement by increasing costs for injected or intravenous anti-cancer medications or by reclassifying benefits related to anti-cancer medications.

• Applies the anti-cancer medication cost-parity requirement to the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan as of January 1, 2016.

• Authorizes the State and School Employees Health Insurance Management Board to accept bids for surgical services including negotiated single case rate bundles and payment for orthopedic, spine, bariatric, cardiovascular, and general surgeries, limited to Mississippi-based surgeons and facilities unless otherwise approved.

• Takes effect July 1, 2015.