MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2007 Regular Session

To: Insurance; Appropriations

By: Representative Mayo

House Bill 794

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 83-9-41, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM RATE OF PAYMENT AND THE MAXIMUM PAYMENT UNDER CERTAIN HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES FOR OUTPATIENT VISITS FOR TREATMENT OF MENTAL ILLNESS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 83-9-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     83-9-41.  (1)  Covered benefits for services in this section shall be limited to coverage of treatment of clinically significant mental illness.

     (2)  Treatment under this section shall be covered for a minimum of thirty (30) days per year for inpatient services, a minimum of sixty (60) days per year for partial hospitalization, and a minimum of fifty-two (52) outpatient visits per year.

     (3)  The rate of payment for inpatient services and partial hospitalization shall be the same as provided for any other condition.  The rate of payment for outpatient visits shall be a minimum of eighty percent (80%) of covered expenses which may be limited to a maximum payment of Eighty Dollars ($80.00) per visit. 

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.