Medicaid; seek federal waiver to provide for presumptive eligibility for persons who need mental health or substance use disorder services.

HB 1565 seeks a federal waiver to allow Mississippi's Medicaid program to provide temporary coverage for mental health or substance use disorder services. It would let qualified healthcare providers (like clinics) preliminarily determine eligibility for these specific services, creating a short "presumptive eligibility" period. During this period (ending within one month), individuals would receive only mental health or substance use services, not full Medicaid benefits, and must apply for full coverage by month's end. The bill requires providers to notify Medicaid within 5 days of a preliminary determination and ends the temporary coverage once full eligibility is confirmed or by the deadline. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and never advanced to a vote.