AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID SHALL SEEK APPROVAL FROM THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES FOR A STATE PLAN AMENDMENT, WAIVER, OR ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT MODEL TO PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT FOR CERTAIN SERVICES PROVIDED BY CERTIFIED COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE THE SOLE CERTIFYING BODY FOR THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER PROFESSION AND PRACTICE IN MISSISSIPPI; FROM AND AFTER JANUARY 1, 2025, NO PERSON SHALL REPRESENT HIMSELF OR HERSELF AS A COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER UNLESS HE OR SHE IS CERTIFIED AS SUCH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROMULGATE RULES NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, INCLUDING ESTABLISHING THE CORE COMPETENCIES OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER CERTIFICATION APPLICATION AND RENEWAL PROCESS, CERTIFICATION APPLICATION AND RENEWAL FEES, PROCEDURES FOR CERTIFICATION DENIAL, SUSPENSION AND REVOCATION, AND THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR CERTIFIED COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL APPROVE COMPETENCY-BASED TRAINING PROGRAMS AND TRAINING PROVIDERS, AND APPROVE ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR CERTIFIED COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS; TO AMEND SECTION 43-13-117, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT FOR CERTAIN SERVICES PROVIDED BY CERTIFIED COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS; TO EXTEND THE DATE OF THE REPEALER ON THE SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 43-13-117
As Passed by the Senate: 43-13-117