HLS 19RS-768 ENGROSSED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 272
BY REPRESENTATIVE CHAD BROWN
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
INSURANCE/HEALTH: Provides for insurance coverage for acupuncture
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 22:1057, relative to insurance coverage for acupuncture; to require coverage
3 for acupuncture performed by a licensed acupuncturist; to prohibit discriminatory
4 terminology; to define key terms; to provide for applicability; to provide for an
5 effective date; and to provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 22:1057 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 ยง1057. Acupuncture; reimbursement
9 A.(1)(a) Any health coverage plan delivered or issued for delivery in this
10 state shall provide coverage for any acupuncture performed by an individual licensed
11 pursuant to R.S. 37:1356 et seq.
12 (b) Terminology in a policy or contract deemed discriminatory against any
13 person or method of practice, including but not limited to the manner of payment or
14 reimbursement under the policy, shall be null and void.
15 (2) The coverage provided pursuant to this Section may be subject to annual
16 deductibles, coinsurance, and copayment provisions as are consistent with those
17 established under the health coverage plan.
18 B. For purposes of this Section, "health coverage plan" means any hospital,
19 health, or medical expense insurance policy, hospital or medical service contract,
20 employee welfare benefit plan, contract, or other agreement with a health
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 19RS-768 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 272
1 maintenance organization or a preferred provider organization, health and accident
2 insurance policy, or any other insurance contract of this type in this state, including
3 a group insurance plan, a self-insurance plan, and the Office of Group Benefits
4 programs. "Health coverage plan" shall not include a plan providing coverage for
5 excepted benefits as defined in R.S. 22:1061, limited benefit health insurance plans,
6 and short-term policies that have a term of less than twelve months.
7 Section 2.(A) This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2020.
8 (B) This Act shall apply to any new policy, contract, program, or health coverage
9plan issued on and after January 1, 2020. Any policy, contract, or health coverage plan in
10effect prior to January 1, 2020, shall convert to conform to the provisions of this Act on or
11before the renewal date, but no later than January 1, 2020.
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)]
HB 272 Engrossed 2019 Regular Session Chad Brown
Abstract: Requires insurance coverage for acupuncture performed by a licensed
acupuncturist.
Proposed law requires any health coverage plan delivered or issued for delivery in this state
to provide coverage for acupuncture performed by an individual licensed by law to perform
acupuncture and prohibits terminology in a policy or contract deemed discriminatory against
any person or method of practice, including but not limited to the manner of payment or
reimbursement under the policy.
Proposed law provides that the required coverage may be subject to annual deductibles,
coinsurance, and copayment provisions as are consistent with those established under the
health coverage plan.
Proposed law applies to any new policy, contract, program, or health coverage plan issued
on and after Jan. 1, 2020. Any policy, contract, or health coverage plan in effect prior to Jan.
1, 2020, shall convert to conform to the provisions of proposed law on or before the renewal
date, but no later than Jan. 1, 2020.
Effective Jan. 1, 2020.
(Adds R.S. 22:1057)
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.