House Bill 1401 Summary

• Establishes a community health worker certification program administered by the State Department of Health, effective January 1, 2026, with the department as the sole certifying body in Mississippi.

• Prohibits any person from representing themselves as a community health worker after January 1, 2026, unless certified by the department in accordance with established requirements.

• Directs the Department of Health to promulgate rules establishing core competencies, certification application and renewal processes, fees, scope of practice, and procedures for denial, suspension, and revocation of certifications.

• Requires the Division of Medicaid to seek approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a state plan amendment, waiver, or alternative payment model to provide Medicaid reimbursement for services provided by certified community health workers, including preventive services, health promotion education, patient-provider communication facilitation, and self-management education.

• Amends Section 43-13-117 to add Medicaid reimbursement for certified community health worker services as a covered benefit when the workers are employed and supervised by Medicaid participating providers and CMS approval has been obtained.