Avoiding the cost burden of newborn screening for the poor and uninsured: Mississippi's model

The Mississippi State Department of Health Genetic Screening Program began in 1982 with hospitals joining the program on a volunteer basis. In 1985 legislation which mandated Newborn Screening provided the Mississippi Department of Health with the responsibility to promulgate rules and regulations establishing laboratory standards, to assure that each newborn was screened and to bill the hospital for each test. The Mississippi State Department of Health charges $12.75 per each newborn tested. This cost includes PKU, T4 (TSH if T4 is abnormal), and Hemoglobinopathy screening, as well as an administrative and follow-up charge. In order to compare the costs of existing systems which coordinate services related to newborn screening, a survey has been done. The confirmatory test for hemoglobinopathy screening will be performed in the Mississippi State Department of Health Laboratory beginning July 1, 1990. This will enable the Mississippi Genetic Screening Program to charge for patients who qualify for Medicaid.