Mr. Reeves said the bills had “had the potential to seriously increase the cost of healthcare in Mississippi,” according to the report.
The prior authorization reform bill would have required payers to maintain a complete list of services that needed preapproval, according to the report. Payers would also be required to make those lists readily accessible and posted on their websites.
Among other things, the bill also would have required payers to set up electronic portals for prior authorization requests by Jan. 1, 2024, and for providers to use the portal by Jan. 1, 2026, according to the report. Insurers that did not comply with requirements would have faced up to a $10,000 fine per violation.
The other bill would have allowed the Mississippi insurance commissioner to adopt rules and regulations to “examine and address any inequalities or irregularities regarding provider reimbursement rates paid by an insurer, subcontractor, third-party administrator or other payer regarding covered services received by covered persons in this state,” according to the report. Insurers would have faced fines up to $10,000 per violation.
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