MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare; Appropriations

By: Representative Smith (39th)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-86-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT COVERED BENEFITS UNDER THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (CHIP) SHALL INCLUDE EARLY AND PERIODIC SCREENING, DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT SERVICES AT LEAST EQUAL TO THOSE PROVIDED UNDER MEDICAID; TO PROVIDE THAT COMPREHENSIVE PEDIATRIC DENTAL CARE SHALL BE PROVIDED UNDER THE CHIP PROGRAM; TO SPECIFY THE TYPES OF SERVICES THAT ARE TO BE INCLUDED IN COMPREHENSIVE PEDIATRIC DENTAL CARE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 41-86-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-86-17. The covered benefits under the program shall include all health care benefits and services required to be included as covered benefits under Title XXI of the federal Social Security Act, as amended, and shall include early and periodic screening, diagnostic and treatment services at least equal to those provided under the Medicaid program. The benefits and services offered and available to state employees under the State Employees Health Insurance Plan shall be used as the benchmark for benefits and services under the program, with an emphasis on preventive and primary care. Benefits and services to be provided under the program shall include: vision and hearing screening, eyeglasses and hearing aids, preventive dental care and comprehensive pediatric dental care. No deductibles, coinsurance or any other cost-sharing shall be allowed for any of the benefits and services named in the preceding sentence. Comprehensive pediatric dental care shall include, but not be limited to, the following services: amalgam restorations; primary and permanent anterior composite restorations; primary and permanent posterior composite restorations; primary and permanent extractions; space maintainers; primary and permanent stainless steel crowns; sealants; primary and permanent pulpotomies and pulpectomies; and surgical and nonsurgical treatment of periodontal disease. Comprehensive pediatric dental care also shall include any hospitalization and general anesthesia (hospital and office based) necessary to properly receive dental services.