Louisiana Statutes

The purpose of this Directive is to advise all health insurance issuers and health maintenance organizations of the establishment of reporting requirements pertaining to mental health parity. Beginning on January 31, 2021, and no later than January 31 of each year thereafter, all non-exempt issuers shall submit an annual report to the Commissioner that contains (1) a description of the process used to develop or select medical necessity criteria for mental health and substance use benefits, (2) Identification of all non-quantitative treatment limitations that are applied to mental health and substance use benefits, (3) the results of comparative analyses for the medical necessity criteria described in (1) and (2).

The Louisiana Department of Health is authorized to accept indigent patients suffering from co-occurring substance-related or addictive disorders and to give such patients the care and treatment required.
The purpose of this is to recognize substance-related and addictive disorders as a sickness or disease and to place those suffering from it in the same position relative to obtaining treatment as persons suffering from other diseases.

Enacted through HB 341 (2017 Regular Session)

Section (P) states that notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no claim for payment for inpatient behavioral health services provided to a person while admitted and detained in a facility that provides mental health services under an emergency certificate, issued in accordance with the provisions of this Section, shall be denied by Medicaid, an entity contracted with the state for the provision of Medicaid services, or any hospital, health, or medical expense insurance policy, hospital or medical service contract, employee welfare benefit plan, contract or other agreement with a health maintenance organization or a preferred provider organization, health and accident insurance policy, or any other insurance contract of this type in this state, including a group insurance plan, a self-insurance plan, and the Office of Group Benefits programs, on the basis of medical necessity if certain conditions are met.

Enacted by HB 307 (2015 Regular Session)

Each health insurance issuer shall maintain a network of providers that includes but is not limited to providers that specialize in mental health and substance abuse services, facility-based physicians, and providers that are essential community providers.

Enacted through HB 592 (2013 General Session)

This bill changed the section of the state insurance law about autism coverage to what it is currently. It increased the age limit for coverage to 20 instead of 16. It also eliminated the $140,000 lifetime maximum that had been in place (a summary of this section can be found at the bottom of this page under “Louisiana Parity Law,” “Autism”).

Any group, blanket, or association health insurance policy issued under certain law is to include as an option to be exercised by the policyholder covered benefits for the treatment of alcoholism and for the treatment of drug abuse, rendered or prescribed by a physician licensed in this state, received in any licensed hospital or in any other public or private facility, or portion thereof duly authorized by the appropriate state authority to provide alcoholism or drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation services, including freestanding, nonhospital chemical dependency units.

Enacted through HB 464 (2010 Regular Session)

Any hospital, health, or medical expense insurance policy, hospital or medical service contract, employee welfare benefit plan, contract or other agreement with a health maintenance organization or a preferred provider organization, health and accident insurance policy, or any other insurance contract of this type in this state, including a group insurance plan, a self-insurance plan, and the Office of Group Benefits programs, delivered or issued for delivery in this state on or after January 1, 2000, shall include benefits payable for the treatment of severe mental illness under the same circumstances and conditions or greater as benefits are paid under those policies, contracts, benefit plans, agreements, or programs for all other diagnoses, illnesses, or accidents.
La. R.S. § 22:1043 defines “severe mental illness” and sets out various other provisions.

Enacted through HB 464 (2010 Regular Session)

The statute provides for parity in the application of certain limits in the case of group health plans, or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such plans, that provide both medical and surgical benefits and mental health benefits.
La. R.S. § 22:1066 provides for clarifications and exceptions as well as definitions used under the section.

Enacted through HB 464 (2010 Regular Session)