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Committee advances genetic counselor licensing bill to allow state oversight and potential insurance billing
Summary
Senate Bill 2705, which would license genetic counselors through the State Department of Health, passed the Public Health and Welfare Committee after questions about scope, education requirements and insurance reimbursement.
The Public Health and Welfare Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 2705, a proposal to license genetic counselors in Mississippi and place licensure authority with the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Sponsor presentation said the bill is largely a licensing measure requested by the University of Mississippi Medical Center and other stakeholders to standardize practice, set educational requirements and create a pathway for insurance reimbursement. "They take a board exam, a national board exam. There's just there's not a licensure pathway in Mississippi currently," a UMMC staff member said, explaining that counselors currently practice as salaried employees and cannot bill insurance.
Committee members asked whether licensing would create a new independent occupational board (it would not) and whether counselors could operate independent practices. The committee was told licensure would be issued by the State Board of Health and that the proposal requires a master's degree for the credential. Senator Turner Ford asked whether counselors could operate a standalone practice; presenters stated such practice is currently limited and licensure would clarify who may call themselves a genetic counselor.
Senator Hill questioned whether state licensure was necessary when national certification and employment-based supervision already exist; a presenter replied the change could affect reimbursement, allowing counselors to bill insurers and thus improve recruitment and retention.
Members also asked whether the bill would prohibit people without master's degrees from providing counseling under supervision by a physician; proponents said existing licensed professionals (physicians, nurse practitioners) would remain able to discuss genetic issues as part of their scope of practice, but the title "genetic counselor" and an independent counseling practice would require licensure.
After questions and a request for letters from counselors practicing outside Jackson, the committee voted on a motion titled "sufficient to pass." Committee members voiced the ayes and the chair declared the ayes have it.
