MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Medicaid; Appropriations
By: Senator(s) Wiggins
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID TO SEEK NECESSARY FEDERAL WAIVERS TO CONTINUE TO REIMBURSE FOR PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES FOR PATIENTS FORMERLY ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES AT AN INPATIENT LICENSED ACUTE CARE FACILITY LOCATED ON THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The Division of Medicaid is authorized and directed to seek necessary federal waivers to continue to reimburse for adult psychiatric services for patients formerly eligible for Medicaid reimbursement at an inpatient licensed acute care facility under Section 43-13-117(23), Mississippi Code of 1972, which is located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and which has been converted to a licensed freestanding psychiatric hospital. Under Section 41-7-173(h)(ii), "Psychiatric hospital" means an institution which is primarily engaged in providing to inpatients, by or under the supervision of a physician, psychiatric services for the diagnosis and treatment of persons with mental illness. This authority for Medicaid reimbursement under the waiver process shall be limited to one hundred thirty-four (134) beds serving the residents of Harrison and Jackson Counties. State funding for this program shall be cost neutral and shall be limited to the state funds provided for such services prior to the conversion of the facility into a freestanding psychiatric facility.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.