House Bill 852

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 83-41-211, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN INSURANCE POLICIES OR PLANS SHALL PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 83-41-211, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

83-41-211. Whenever any policy of insurance or any medical service plan or hospital service contract or hospital and medical service contract issued in this state provides for reimbursement for any diagnosis and treatment of mental, nervous or emotional disorders only which are within the lawful scope of practice of a duly licensed psychologist as defined in Section 73-31-3, within the lawful scope of practice of a duly licensed professional counselor as defined in Section 73-30-3, * * * within the lawful scope of practice of a duly licensed clinical social worker as defined in Section 73-53-3, or within the lawful scope of practice of a duly licensed marriage and family therapist as defined in Section 73-54-5, the insured or other person entitled to benefits under such policy shall be entitled to reimbursement for such services, whether such services are performed by a duly licensed physician or by a duly licensed psychologist, by a duly licensed professional counselor or by a duly licensed clinical social worker, or by a duly licensed marriage and family therapist, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any statute or in such policy, plan or contract. Duly licensed psychologists shall be entitled to participate in such policies, plans or contracts providing for the diagnosis and treatment of mental, nervous or emotional disorders only as authorized by Section 73-31-3. A duly licensed professional counselor shall be entitled to participate in such policies, plans or contracts providing for the diagnosis and treatment of mental, nervous or emotional disorders only as authorized by Section 73-30-3. A duly licensed clinical social worker shall be entitled to participate in such policies, plans or contracts providing for the diagnosis and treatment of mental, nervous or emotional disorders only as authorized by Section 73-53-3. A duly licensed marriage and family therapist shall be entitled to participate in such policies, plans or contracts providing for the diagnosis and treatment of mental, nervous or emotional disorders only as authorized by Section 73-54-5 et seq.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.