MS HB1513

Creates new sections of Mississippi insurance law (83-41-221 through 83-41-231) effective July 1, 2018, to establish patient choice requirements for health benefit plans.

Requires health benefit plans that cover services within a duly licensed physician's or podiatrist's scope of practice to reimburse those services regardless of provider type, and allows qualified physicians and podiatrists to participate in such plans.

Prohibits health benefit plans from discriminating against physicians located in their geographic coverage area who meet the plan's terms and conditions, with acceptance or denial notification required within 60 days of completed application.

Allows health benefit plans to maintain different reimbursement rates for different physician specialties, implement quality and cost control measures (including gatekeeper systems), and set participation terms as long as such measures are applied equally to all providers in the same class.

Grants the Commissioner of Insurance enforcement authority under the Mississippi Insurance Code and authorization to seek injunctions against health insurers violating these requirements.