House Bill 860

AN ACT TO SET UP A PILOT PROGRAM AT THE MAIN SITES OF THE FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS IN MISSISSIPPI TO PROVIDE AFTER-HOURS CARE TO MEDICAID RECIPIENTS; TO PROVIDE THAT EACH HEALTH CENTER SHALL COLLECT DATA ON THE MEDICAID PATIENTS THAT RECEIVE SERVICES DURING THE AFTER-HOURS SCHEDULE OF THE CENTER AND THE MEDICAID PATIENTS REFERRED OR DIRECTED TO EMERGENCY ROOMS DURING THE AFTER-HOURS SCHEDULE OF THE CENTER; TO PROVIDE THAT THE HEALTH CENTERS SHALL PROVIDE THAT DATA TO THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID AFTER THE END OF THE PILOT PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIVISION SHALL COMPILE THAT DATA INTO A REPORT FOR THE LEGISLATURE SHOWING WHETHER THE PILOT PROGRAM DEMONSTRATED ANY COST SAVINGS TO THE MEDICAID PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is established a two-year pilot program at the main sites of the federally qualified health centers in Mississippi to provide after-hours care to Medicaid recipients. Under the pilot program, the health centers shall set up a fast-track program for care and treatment for Medicaid recipients, and shall provide primary health care services to Medicaid recipients using the same criteria as those used by the MEA Medical Clinics. If the medical needs of a Medicaid patient are beyond the capability of the health center to provide, the center shall refer or direct the patient to a hospital emergency room.

(2) Each health center shall collect data on the number of Medicaid patients that receive services during the after-hours schedule of the center and the types of services provided to those patients, and the number of Medicaid patients referred or directed to emergency rooms during the after-hours schedule of the center and the conditions of those patients that required emergency room care. The health centers shall provide that data to the Division of Medicaid after the end of the pilot program, and the division shall compile that data into a report for the Legislature showing whether the pilot program demonstrated any cost savings to the Medicaid program.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.