MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2006 Regular Session

To: Medicaid

By: Representative Holland, Morris, Flaggs

House Bill 229

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID SHALL DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT A TEMPORARY PROGRAM TO PROVIDE NONEMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION FOR CERTAIN KIDNEY DIALYSIS PATIENTS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES UNDER THE PROGRAM MAY BE PROVIDED BY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ENTITIES AND INDIVIDUALS, AND THE DIVISION SHALL REIMBURSE THOSE ENTITIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A MUTUALLY AGREED UPON REIMBURSEMENT SCHEDULE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROGRAM IS NOT PART OF OR CONNECTED TO THE MEDICAID PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  (1)  The Division of Medicaid shall design and implement a temporary program to provide nonemergency transportation to locations for necessary dialysis services for end stage renal disease patients who are sixty-five (65) years of age or older or are disabled as determined under Section 1614(a)(3) of the federal Social Security Act, as amended, whose income does not exceed one hundred thirty-five percent (135%) of the nonfarm official poverty level as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, and whose resources do not exceed those established by the division.

     (2)  The transportation services under the program may be provided by public or private entities and individuals, including, but not limited to, family members of the patients and faith-based organizations, and the division shall reimburse those entities and individuals for providing the transportation services in accordance with a mutually agreed upon reimbursement schedule.

     (3)  The program shall be funded from monies that are appropriated or otherwise made available to the division.

     (4)  The program is a separate program that is not part of or connected to the Medicaid program, and the relationship of the division to the program is only as the administering agent.

     (5)  This section shall stand repealed on March 31, 2006.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.