Legislation Signed into Law

2020

Primary Focus Mental Health Parity Reporting Requirements for Health Insurance Insurers
Agency Louisiana Department of Insurance
Citation Directive 216
Summary

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).

Effective January 31, 2021

2017

Primary Focus Access to services/Eligibility
Title/Description Substance-related and addictive disorders; treatment in state psychiatric hospitals
Citation La. R.S. § 28:21.1
Summary

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.

Effective Date 8/1/2017
Notes

Enacted through HB 341 (2017 Regular Session)

2015

Primary Focus Mandated Benefit: Provider
Title/Description Admission by emergency certificate; extension; payment for services rendered
Citation La. R.S. § 28:53
Summary

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.

Effective Date 8/1/2015
Notes

Enacted by HB 307 (2015 Regular Session)

2013

Primary Focus Access to services/Eligibility
Title/Description Network adequacy
Citation La. R.S. § 22:1019.2
Summary

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.

Effective Date 6/10/2013
Notes

Enacted through HB 592 (2013 General Session)

2012

HB 771
Introduced 3/2012
Sponsor Rep. Foil
Status Signed into Law 5/2012
Summary

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”).

2011

Primary Focus Mandated Benefit: SUD
Title/Description Group, blanket, and association health insurance, treatment for alcoholism and drug abuse
Citation La. R.S. § 22:1025
Summary

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.

Effective Date 1/1/2011
Notes

Enacted through HB 464 (2010 Regular Session)

Primary Focus Mandated Benefit: Provider
Title/Description Severe mental illness and other mental disorders; policy provisions; minimum requirements; group, blanket, and association policies
Citation La. R.S. § 22:1043
Summary

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.

Effective Date 1/1/2011
Notes

Enacted through HB 464 (2010 Regular Session)

Primary Focus Parity: General
Title/Description Parity in the application of certain limits to mental health benefits
Citation La. R.S. § 22:1066
Summary

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.

Effective Date 1/1/2011
Notes

Enacted through HB 464 (2010 Regular Session)

2009

SB 294
Introduced 4/2009
Sponsor Sen. Nevers
Status Signed into Law 7/2009
Summary Among many other things, this bill changed one of the sections of the insurance law about parity so that plans (except for individual plans) have to cover services provided by a “medical psychologist.”
HB 406
Introduced 4/2009
Sponsor Rep. Pearson
Status Signed into Law 7/2009
Summary Among many other things, this bill changed the section of the law about autism coverage so that individual plans are specifically exempted from complying with that section of the state law.

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