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HB 226

Medicaid; telehealth services provided by FQHCs, rural health clinics and community mental health centers reimbursed at same rate as face-to-face encounters.

2025 Regular Session

Mississippi bill requiring equal Medicaid reimbursement for telehealth versus in-person care at clinics and mental health centers died in committee, failing to advance.

Died In Committee
#medicaid
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Bill Summary · HB 226

Legislative bill overview

HB 226 would require Mississippi Medicaid to reimburse telehealth services provided by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), rural health clinics, and community mental health centers at the same rate as in-person face-to-face encounters. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, after being referred to the Medicaid committee in January.

Why is this important

Reimbursement parity for telehealth could expand access to healthcare in rural Mississippi areas where provider shortages are severe, particularly for mental health services. The policy could reduce transportation barriers and improve care continuity, though it also affects state Medicaid budget allocation and provider compensation structures.

Potential points of contention

  • Budget impact: Equalizing telehealth and in-person reimbursement rates could increase Medicaid expenditures if telehealth reduces no-shows or increases utilization without offsetting cost savings
  • Provider concerns: Rural clinics and FQHCs may have differing views—some may support parity as validation of telehealth quality, while others worry about payment adequacy if reimbursement rates don't reflect their actual operational costs
  • Clinical quality questions: Disagreement over whether telehealth for certain services (particularly complex mental health cases) provides equivalent clinical outcomes to face-to-face care, affecting appropriateness of equal reimbursement

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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