MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representatives Wooten, Blackmon, Ellis
AN ACT TO REQUIRE HEALTH CARRIERS THAT OFFER OR ISSUE HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS THAT ARE DELIVERED, CONTINUED OR RENEWED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2011, TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) SCREENINGS AT RECOMMENDED TESTING INTERVALS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) Each health carrier that offers or issues health benefit plans that are delivered, issued for delivery, continued, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2011, shall provide coverage for human papillomavirus (HPV) screenings at testing intervals outlined in certain recommendations developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
(2) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Health carrier" means an entity subject to the insurance laws and regulations of this state that contracts or offers to contract to provide, deliver, arrange for, pay for or reimburse any of the costs of health care services, including an accident and sickness insurance company, a health maintenance organization, a nonprofit hospital and health service corporation, or any other entity providing a plan of health insurance, health benefits or health services; except that such a plan does not include any coverage under a liability insurance policy, workers' compensation insurance policy, or medical payments insurance issued as a supplement to a liability policy.
(b) "Health benefit plan" means a policy, contract, certificate or agreement entered into, offered or issued by a health carrier to provide, deliver, arrange for, pay for, or reimburse any of the costs of health care services; however, the term "health benefit plan" does not include any coverage under a liability insurance policy, workers' compensation insurance policy, or medical payments insurance issued as a supplement to a liability policy.
(c) "Human papillomavirus screening" means any laboratory test that specifically detects for infection by one or more agents of the human papillomavirus and is approved for that purpose by the federal Food and Drug Administration.
(3) The health care service required by this section shall not be subject to any greater deductible or co-payment than other similar health care services provided by the health benefit plan.
(4) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a supplemental insurance policy, including a life care contract, accident-only policy, specified disease policy, hospital policy providing a fixed daily benefit only, Medicare supplement policy, long-term care policy, short-term major medical policies of six (6) months or less duration, or any other supplemental policy.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.