MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Chaney

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID TO ESTABLISH A SMOKING CESSATION TREATMENT PROGRAM AND CONTRACT WITH HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE SMOKING CESSATION TREATMENT THERAPIES FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE COSTS OF THE SMOKING CESSATION TREATMENT PROGRAM SHALL BE FUNDED FROM THE HEALTH CARE EXPENDABLE FUND; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The Division of Medicaid shall establish a smoking cessation treatment program and contract with hospitals, clinics, physicians and dentists licensed in this state to provide smoking cessation treatment therapies for persons with incomes of up to three hundred percent (300%) of the federal poverty level.

(2) Any hospital, clinic, physician, dentist or healthcare provider submitting a bid pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall include the following criteria in such bid:

(a) A healthcare provider will supervise the smoking cessation treatment program;

(b) An applicant will pay a Twenty-five Dollar ($25.00) to cover the cost of an evaluation for the smoking cessation treatment program;

(c) The program will include counseling and prescription drugs indicated for smoking cessation treatment;

(d) A program participant shall only be permitted to participate in the program once a year with a maximum of ten (10) consecutive weeks of treatment; and

(e) The fees charged for the smoking cessation treatment program shall include a fee for a one-office visit every other week and a reimbursement for prescriptions issued and signed by an authorized prescriber within the scope of his or her professional practice.

(3) The costs of the smoking cessation treatment program, excluding the evaluation fee in subsection (2) of this section, shall be funded with the monies received from the Tobacco Health Care Expendable Fund, subject to specific appropriation therefor by the Legislature.

(4) The providers in the smoking cessation treatment program shall annually report the results of treatment to the Division of Medicaid, and shall include the number of participants treated and the number of participants who quit smoking.

(5) The Division of Medicaid shall submit a report on the smoking cessation treatment program to the Legislature in January 2001.

(6) The Division of Medicaid shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section.

(7) The provisions of this section shall stand repealed on June 30, 2001.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.