SB2080_H_Cmte_Amend

SECTION 1. Section 41-86-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-86-11. (1) The administering agency shall adopt, in accordance with Section 25-43-1 et seq., rules and regulations for the implementation of the program, and for the coordination of the program with the state's other medical assistance programs.

(2) If the Division of Medicaid is designated as the administering agency for the program, the division shall have all of the authority set forth in Section 43-13-101 et seq.

(3) The administering agency shall make reports to the federal government and to the Legislature on the providing of benefits to those children under the program.

(4) (a) If the commission provides that the administering agency will have such authority, the administering agency shall execute a contract or contracts to provide the health care coverage and services under the program, after first receiving bids. The contract or contracts may be executed with one or more corporations or associations authorized to do business in Mississippi. All of the coverage and services to be provided under the program may be included in one or more similar contracts, or the coverage and services may be classified into different types with each type included under one or more similar contracts issued by the same or different corporations or associations.

(b) The administering agency shall execute a contract or contracts with one or more corporations or associations that have submitted the best and most cost-effective bids, or shall reject all bids. If the administering agency rejects all bids, it shall notify all bidders of the rejection and shall actively solicit new bids.

(c) A plan providing benefits for the Children's Health Insurance Program shall not deny a health care provider that provides health care services the right to enter into a contract to participate in its network of health care providers if that health care provider is willing to meet the terms and conditions of the contract offered by the plan to its participating health care providers and to accept their payment rates and rules and meet the credentialing qualifications of the plan.

SECTION 2. If an administrator of a state health insurance plan unilaterally denies or removes coverage for a group or portion of the plan's participants, that entity shall not be eligible to receive the contract to administer the plan for a period of three (3) years.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.