Senate Bill 2454

AN ACT TO CODIFY SECTION 43-13-117.5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID TO STUDY A PILOT PROGRAM REGARDING AN ALTERNATIVE MANAGED CARE PAYMENT MODEL FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES RECEIVING SERVICES FROM A REGIONAL MENTAL HEALTH/INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY COMMISSION ESTABLISHED UNDER SECTION 41-19-33 LOCATED IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, AND MAKE A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The following provision shall be codified as Section 43-13-117.5, Mississippi Code of 1972:

43-13-117.5. The Division of Medicaid is authorized and directed to study the feasibility of implementing a pilot program to provide an alternative managed care payment model for individuals with behavioral health issues receiving services from a regional mental health/intellectual disability commission established under Section 41-19-33 located in the State of Mississippi. The managed care payment model would establish an organization to function as an integrated behavioral health care network with a capitation agreement with managed care entities, which would redirect funding to provide Medicaid services to the behavioral health population under a partnership contract and not require any additional funding from the State General Fund. The behavioral health care network shall be comprised of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, regional mental health/intellectual disability programs, community mental health centers and their employed behavioral health professionals, and other health care providers in the State of Mississippi. The behavioral health care network would contract with managed care entities to provide all medical and behavioral health services to the behavioral health population for one (1) capitated fee. If a pilot program is deemed feasible, a report of findings and recommendations shall be prepared for the 2020 Regular Session and provided to the Office of the Governor and the Chairman of the Senate and House Medicaid Committees in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program in reducing costs within the Medicaid program and in providing improved health and well-being of the affected patients.

Section 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.