HB961 Summary

• Amends Mississippi Code Section 43-13-117 to provide increased Medicaid reimbursement rates of at least 80% of Medicare rates for inpatient and outpatient hospital services in counties with specific economic and healthcare workforce criteria.

• Qualifying counties must have had an average monthly unemployment rate of 8% or higher for the 12 months of the previous state fiscal year AND a critical shortage of physicians and nurses.

• Critical shortage determination is made by a committee composed of representatives from the Mississippi Hospital Association, Mississippi Nurses Association, Mississippi Primary Care Association, and the Chairs of the House and Senate Medicaid Committees.

• Division of Medicaid must implement the increased reimbursement rate by September 1, 2024, with annual adjustments thereafter by September 1 of each year.

• Extends the repealer date for Section 43-13-117 from July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2028; bill becomes effective July 1, 2024.