SB2008 • 2026

Health insurance; prohibit insurers from discriminating against durable medical equipment and set reimbursement rate.

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 83-9-12, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT AN INSURER, MANAGED-CARE COMPANY OR OTHER PAYOR FROM DISCRIMINATING AGAINST AN ACCREDITED DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER PROVIDING SERVICES PRESCRIBED BY A PATIENT'S HEALTH CARE PROVIDER; TO PROVIDE THAT AN INSURER, MANAGED-CARE COMPANY OR OTHER PAYOR SHALL REIMBURSE DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT NO LESS THAN STATE MEDICAID RATES SET FOR THESE SERVICES ON A CONTINUOUS MONTHLY PAYMENT BASIS FOR THE DURATION OF THE MEDICAL NEED THROUGHOUT A PATIENT'S VALID PRESCRIPTION PERIOD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Healthcare

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Blackwell
Last action: 2026-02-03
Official status: Dead
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's status as 'Did Not Pass' means it has no legal standing and does not take any action.

Health Insurance Rules for Durable Medical Equipment

This bill stops insurance companies from treating durable medical equipment suppliers unfairly and sets a minimum payment rate based on Medicaid rates.

What This Bill Does

It says that health insurers cannot treat accredited durable medical equipment suppliers differently than other healthcare providers.
It requires insurers to pay for durable medical equipment at least as much as the state pays through Medicaid.
It makes sure payments are made monthly and continue as long as a patient needs them based on their prescription.

Who It Names or Affects

Health insurance companies
Managed-care organizations
Durable medical equipment suppliers

Terms To Know

durable medical equipment supplier: A company that provides long-lasting healthcare items like wheelchairs or oxygen tanks.
managed-care organization: An insurance plan that manages the cost and use of health care services.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass, so it has no effect.
It only applies to accredited durable medical equipment suppliers.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (S) Died In Committee
2026-01-06 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/06 (S) Referred To Insurance

Official Summary Text

Health insurance; prohibit insurers from discriminating against durable medical equipment and set reimbursement rate.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

S. B. No. 2008 *SS36/R165* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS36/R165
PAGE 1 (baf\kr)

To: Insurance
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Blackwell

SENATE BILL NO. 2008

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 83-9-12, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1
1972, TO PROHIBIT AN INSURER, MANAGED-CARE COMPANY OR OTHER PAYOR 2
FROM DISCRIMINATING AGAINST AN ACCREDITED DURABLE MEDICAL 3
EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER PROVIDING SERVICES PRESCRIBED BY A PATIENT'S 4
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER; TO PROVIDE THAT AN INSURER, MANAGED-CARE 5
COMPANY OR OTHER PAYOR SHALL REIMBURSE DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT 6
NO LESS THAN STATE MEDICAID RATES SET FOR THESE SERVICES ON A 7
CONTINUOUS MONTHLY PAYMENT BASIS FOR THE DURATION OF THE MEDICAL 8
NEED THROUGHOUT A PATIENT'S VALID PRESCRIPTION PERIOD; AND FOR 9
RELATED PURPOSES. 10
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 11
SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 12
83-9-12, Mississippi Code of 1972: 13
83-9-12. An insurer, managed-care company or other payor 14
shall not discriminate against an accredited durable medical 15
equipment supplier providing services prescribed by a patient's 16
health care provider. Notwithstanding any other provision of law 17
to the contrary, an insurer, managed-care company or other payor 18
shall reimburse durable medical equipment no less than state 19
Medicaid rates set for these services on a continuous monthly 20
payment basis for the duration of the medical need throughout a 21
patient's valid prescription period. 22
S. B. No. 2008 *SS36/R165* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R165
PAGE 2 (baf\kr)
ST: Health insurance; prohibit insurers from
discriminating against durable medical equipment
and set reimbursement rate.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 23
and after July 1, 2026. 24