MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2002 Regular Session

To: Insurance

By: Representative Zuber

House Bill 816

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 83-41-211, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW BOARD CERTIFIED MUSIC THERAPISTS TO RECEIVE INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENTS FOR THEIR SERVICES IF PRESCRIBED BY A PHYSICIAN OR A PSYCHOLOGIST; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 83-41-211, Mississippi Code of 1972, is  amended as follows:

     83-41-211.  Whenever any policy of insurance or any medical service plan or hospital service contract or hospital and medical service contract issued in this state provides for reimbursement for any diagnosis and treatment of mental, nervous or emotional disorders only which are within the lawful scope of practice of a duly licensed psychologist as defined in Section 73-31-3, within the lawful scope of practice of a duly licensed professional counselor as defined in Section 73-30-3, * * * within the lawful scope of practice of a duly licensed clinical social worker as defined in Section 73-53-3 or within the lawful scope of practice of a board certified music therapist, the insured or other person entitled to benefits under such policy shall be entitled to reimbursement for such services, whether such services are performed by a duly licensed physician, by a duly licensed psychologist, by a duly licensed professional counselor, by a duly licensed clinical social worker or by a board certified music therapist if such treatment is prescribed by a physician or by a psychologist, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any statute or in such policy, plan or contract.  Duly licensed psychologists shall be entitled to participate in such policies, plans or contracts providing for the diagnosis and treatment of mental, nervous or emotional disorders only as authorized by Section 73-31-3.  A duly licensed professional counselor shall be entitled to participate in such policies, plans or contracts providing for the diagnosis and treatment of mental, nervous or emotional disorders only as authorized by Section 73-30-3.  A duly licensed clinical social worker shall be entitled to participate in such policies, plans or contracts providing for the diagnosis and treatment of mental, nervous or emotional disorders only as authorized by Section 73-53-3.  A board certified music therapist shall be entitled to participate in such policies, plans or contracts only if his or her services are prescribed by a physician or a psychologist.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.