MS HB1688

Establishes a community health worker certification program under the State Department of Health, effective January 1, 2025, making the department the sole certifying body in Mississippi.

Directs the Division of Medicaid to seek federal approval for a Section 1115 waiver to reimburse certified community health workers employed by Medicaid providers for preventive services, health promotion, care coordination, and patient education.

Requires the State Department of Health to promulgate rules establishing core competencies, certification and renewal processes, fees, scope of practice, and approved training programs and continuing education providers for community health workers.

Prohibits individuals from representing themselves as community health workers without state certification beginning January 1, 2025.

Adds a new provision to Section 43-13-117 (Medicaid services) to include reimbursement for certified community health worker services funded through state appropriations matched with federal funds, contingent on CMS waiver approval, and extends the repealer date from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2028.

Establishes statutory rights for individuals to access assisted reproductive technology, for health care providers to perform such services and provide evidence-based information, and for health insurance providers to cover such treatments, with enforcement through civil action and attorney's fees provisions.