State Overview: Mississippi

Prior authorization requirements are up to the discretion of the state Medicaid program or insurance company.

Mississippi credentials five types of addiction counselors. The Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals offers the credentials of a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) at three levels (basic, I and II) and a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). A CADC at the basic level requires a high school diploma and three years of experience. A CADC I requires a bachelor's degree and four years of experience. A CADC II requires a master's degree in a relevant field and five years of experience. A CAADC requires a master's degree in a relevant field and two years of experience. All credentials require the completion of 270 hours of relevant education courses.

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health/ Division of Professional Licensure and Certification offers the credential of Certified Addictions Therapists (CATs). A CAT requires a master's degree, the completion of relevant education courses and two years of experience. Miss. Admin. Code §24-3:1.5, Mississippi Department of Mental Health, Mississippi Department of Mental Health Division of Professional Licensure and Certification and Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals

A licensed professional counselor may diagnose, assess and treat patients by using counseling/psychotherapy methods and techniques. Counselors may also use group and/or placement methods and techniques which serve to further the goals of counseling. Miss. Code Ann. §73-30-3(c)

The certification requirements for peer support specialists are established by the state's Department of Mental Health. The comprehensive certification standards include minimum qualifications, training, continuing education, and employment requirements. Miss. Admin. Code §24-5:1

Physician relationship required for practice and prescriptive authority.

Collaboration with a supervising physician is required and written practice guidelines must be developed between the physician and the NM. The Board of Nursing must approve the protocol to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. 

CNMs may apply for controlled substance prescriptive authority after completing a board-approved educational program. Those who have completed the program and received prescriptive authority may prescribe Schedules II-V. Miss. Code Ann. §73-15-20

Physician relationship required for practice and prescriptive authority.

Collaboration with a supervising physician is required and written practice guidelines must be developed between the physician and the NP. The Board of Nursing must approve the protocol to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Certified NPs may apply for controlled substance prescriptive authority after completing a board-approved educational program. Those who have completed the program and received prescriptive authority may prescribe Schedules II-V. Miss. Code Ann. §73-15-20(3)

Only physicians are authorized to sign physician orders for sustaining treatment forms. Miss. Code Ann. §41-41-302

NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers. Primary care provider means an individual or other legal entity that is licensed, registered or otherwise authorized to provide primary care services in this state under Chapter 25, Title 73, Mississippi Code of 1972, which lists NP licensure requirements. Miss. Code. Ann. §83-81-3

Optometrists may perform all procedures included in their full scope of practice, including surgical and laser procedures. Miss. Code. Ann. §73-19-1

Optometrists may administer all pharmaceutical agents for the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, including epinephrine auto-injections to counter anaphylaxis. Miss. Code. Ann. §73-19-1 and Miss. Code Ann. §73-19-165

Optometrists may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances and also Schedule II hydrocodone or hydrocodone combination medications. Miss. Code. Ann. §73-19-165

Mississippi does not allow dental hygienists to practice with direct access.

Statute does not identify dental therapists as an oral health provider.

Mississippi does not explicitly allow for the practice of teledentistry.

Mississippi has not enacted legislation allowing pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the federal PREP Act allowed pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine through the duration of the public health emergency.

Mississippi does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

Mississippi does not allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives.

Mississippi does not allow pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation aids.

Supervision by a physician required for practice and prescriptive authority.

PAs may provide any medical service which is delegated by the supervising physician when the service is within the PA's training and skills; forms a component of the physician's scope of practice; and is provided with supervision. Miss. Admin. Code §30-26-2615-1.1

PAs shall practice according to a board-approved protocol which has been mutually agreed upon by the PA and the supervising physician. Each protocol shall be prepared taking into consideration the specialty of the supervising physician, and must outline diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and categories of pharmacologic agents which may be ordered, administered, dispensed and/or prescribed for patients with diagnoses identified by the physician assistant. Pursuant to these rules, authorized PAs may prescribe controlled substances in Schedules II through V. Miss. Admin. Code §30-26-2615-1.5

Mississippi does not currently have any provisions related to the number of PAs a physician can supervise or collaborate with.

Chart co-signatures are required by statute to practice or prescribe as a PA.

Each primary supervisory relationship shall include and implement a formal quality improvement program which must be maintained on site and must be available for inspection by representatives of the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure. The quality assurance/quality improvement program shall consist of a few components including: review by a supervisory physician of a random sample of charts that represent 10% or 20 charts, whichever is less, of patients seen by the PA every month. Miss. Admin. Code §30-26-2615-1.7

Statute does not allow adaptable proximity.

Supervision means overseeing activities of, and accepting responsibility for, all medical services rendered by the physician assistant. Miss. Admin. Code §30-26-2615-1.7

A PA may perform duties and responsibilities as delegated by the supervising physician and within the PA's training and skills. However, the State Board of Medical Licensure regulates the practice of PAs. Miss. Code. Regs. §30-17-2615-1.1, Miss. Code Ann. §73-26-5