MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Insurance

By: Representatives Williams, King, Green (72nd)

AN ACT TO REQUIRE ALL INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES AND PLANS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR DIABETES TREATMENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) From and after July 1, 1998, all individual and group health insurance policies or plans, pooled risk policies and all other forms of managed/capitated care plans or policies regulated by the State of Mississippi shall provide coverage for diabetes treatments, including, but not limited to, equipment, supplies and self-management training/education and medical nutrition therapy in an outpatient, inpatient or home health setting. The coverage shall include treatment of all forms of diabetes, including, but not limited to, Type I, Type II, Gestational and all secondary forms of diabetes regardless of mode of treatment if such treatment is prescribed by a health care professional legally authorized to prescribe such treatment and regardless of the age of onset or duration of the disease. Such health insurance plans and policies shall not reduce, eliminate or delay coverage due to the requirements of this act.

(2) The services provided in an outpatient, inpatient or home health setting shall be provided by a certified, registered or licensed health care professional with expertise in diabetes. Medical nutrition therapy shall be provided by a registered dietitian appropriately licensed to practice in the State of Mississippi. All services shall be based on nationally recognized standards including, but not limited to, the American Diabetes Association Practice Guidelines.

(3) The benefits provided in this act shall be subject to the same annual deductibles or coinsurance established for all other covered benefits within a given policy.

(4) The Commissioner of Insurance shall enforce the provisions of this act.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.