HB 836 Summary

• Requires all individual and group health insurance policies, service contracts, self-insured arrangements, and managed health care entities delivered or renewed on or after July 1, 2016, to provide coverage for annual pap smears and biennial bone density tests.

• Prohibits insurers from imposing deductibles or coinsurance for these screenings greater than those applied to similar benefits, and requires reimbursement rates equal to or greater than Medicare rates.

• Allows plans to require use of participating providers when available and accessible; if nonparticipating providers are used, individuals pay no additional costs beyond what they would pay in-network.

• Amends Section 25-15-9 of Mississippi Code to require the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan to include coverage for annual pap smears and biennial bone density tests.