HLS 12RS-389 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 771
BY REPRESENTATIVES FOIL AND PATRICK WILLIAMS
INSURANCE/HEALTH: Provides relative to the mandate for coverage of diagnosis and
treatment of autism spectrum disorders
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 22:1050(A)(1), (D)(1), and (G)(11)(introductory paragraph) and2
to repeal R.S. 22:1050(H)(1) and (2), relative to the mandate for coverage of3
diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders; to raise the age for such4
coverage; to eliminate the limitation on lifetime benefits; to provide with respect to5
supervision of treatment of autism spectrum disorders; to provide relative to6
applicability; and to provide for related matters.7
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:8
Section 1. R.S. 22:1050(A)(1), (D)(1), and (G)(11)(introductory paragraph) are9
hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: 10
ยง1050. Requirement for coverage of diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum11
disorders in individuals less than seventeen twenty-one years of age12
A.(1) Except as otherwise provided in Subsection H of this Section, any13
health coverage plan specified in Paragraph (G)(6) of this Section which is issued for14
delivery, delivered, renewed, or otherwise contracted for in this state on or after15
January 1, 2009, 2013, shall provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of16
autism spectrum disorders in individuals less than seventeen twenty-one years of age.17
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HB NO. 771
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D.(1) Coverage under this Section shall be subject to a maximum benefit of1
thirty-six thousand dollars per year. and a lifetime maximum benefit of one hundred2
forty-four thousand dollars.3
* * *4
G. As used in this Section:5
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(11) "Treatment of autism spectrum disorders" shall include the following7
care prescribed, provided, or ordered for an individual diagnosed with one of the8
autism spectrum disorders by a physician or psychologist who shall be licensed in9
this state: and who shall supervise provision of such care:10
* * *11
Section 2. R.S. 22:1050(H)(1) and (2) are hereby repealed in their entirety.12
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Foil HB No. 771
Abstract: Raises age for mandated health insurance coverage of autism spectrum disorders
from 17 to 21, eliminates lifetime maximum benefit of $144,000, provides relative to
supervision of treatment, and provides for applicability.
Proposed law changes present law relative to mandated health insurance coverage of autism
spectrum disorders as follows:
(1)Present law provides that such mandated coverage applies only to individuals less
than 17 years of age.
Proposed law raises the age for such mandated coverage so that it applies only to
individuals less than 21 years of age.
(2)Present law imposes an annual maximum benefit of $36,000 and a lifetime
maximum benefit of $144,000.
Proposed law eliminates the lifetime maximum benefit of $144,000.
(3)Present law defines "treatment of autism spectrum disorders" to include certain care
prescribed, provided, or ordered for an individual diagnosed with one of the autism
spectrum disorders by a physician or psychologist who shall be licensed in this state
and who shall supervise provision of such care.
Proposed law deletes the requirement that such treatment be supervised by a
physician or psychologist licensed in this state. HLS 12RS-389 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 771
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(4)Present law provides that such mandated coverage shall not apply to any coverage
plan issued to an employer with 50 or fewer employees or to individually
underwritten, guaranteed renewable health insurance policies.
Proposed law instead provides that such mandated coverage shall not apply to any
coverage plan issued to an employer with 10 or fewer employees and deletes the
exclusion for individually underwritten, guaranteed renewable health insurance
policies.
(Amends R.S. 22:1050(A)(1), (D)(1), and (G)(11)(intro. para.); Repeals R.S. 22:1050(H)(1)
and (2))