MS HB3

Requires all individual and group health insurance policies, service contracts, HMOs, self-insured arrangements, and managed care entities in Mississippi to provide coverage for hearing aids and services for deaf and hearing impaired dependent children under 21 years of age, effective July 1, 2018.

Coverage applies when a prescribing physician issues a written order stating the child is deaf or hearing impaired and the treatment is medically cleared, and includes all hearing examinations and tests.

Dependent children cannot be charged deductibles or coinsurance greater than those applied to similar benefits, and reimbursement rates to health care providers must equal or exceed Medicaid rates.

Plans or insurers may refer children to nonparticipating providers only if no appropriate participating provider is available and accessible, with services at no additional cost to the child beyond participating provider rates.