MS HB1514

Establishes the Patient Choice Act of 2018, effective July 1, 2018, requiring health benefit plans to reimburse insureds for services performed by duly licensed physicians or podiatrists within their lawful scope of practice.

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

Permits health benefit plans to maintain different reimbursement rates for different physician types based on specialty scope of practice and to impose quality and cost-control measures equally across all providers in the same class, including gatekeeper systems.

Applies the requirements to all health benefit plans including pre-paid coverage, provider networks, multiple employer welfare arrangements, and multiple employer trusts.

Grants the Commissioner of Insurance enforcement powers and authority to seek injunctions against health insurers for violations, and amends existing laws regarding optometrists, mental health providers, nurse practitioners, and chiropractors to include fraud and illegal activity exclusions.