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 352 Engrossed 2019 Regular Session DuBuisson
Abstract: Authorizes health insurance issuers to establish healthcare cost and quality programs.
Present law prohibits an insurer from making or permitting any unfair discrimination in favor of
particular individuals or persons, or between insureds or subjects of insurance having substantially
like insuring risk, and exposure factors, or expense elements, in the terms or conditions of any
insurance contract, or in the rate or amount of premium charged therefor, or in the benefits payable
or in any other rights or privileges accruing thereunder.
Proposed law retains present law but authorizes health insurance issuers and health maintenance
organizations to establish any of the following without regard to uniform availability or applicability
to all insureds or policyholders or healthcare providers:
(1)Quality programs.
(2)Disease management programs.
(3)Population health management programs.
(4)Pharmaceutical management programs.
(5)Partnerships or other shared risk programs with healthcare providers or bona fide
associations.
(6)Other trial or pilot programs.
Proposed law requires a health insurance issuer or health maintenance organization establishing a
program to provide written notice to the Dept. of Insurance no later than 30 days prior to the
effective date of the program.
Proposed law provides that participation by an insured in any program shall be voluntary and
prohibits the participation from negatively impacting the coverage rights of the insured.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Insurance to the original bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Limit the provisions of law over which proposed law would automatically prevail in the
event of a conflict.
3. Change the authorization for partnerships with professional organizations to partnerships
with bona fide associations.
4. Delete proposed law relative to group purchasers and preferred provider organizations.
5. Require written notice to the Dept. of Insurance of a program established pursuant to
proposed law.
6. Require participation by an insured to be voluntary and prohibit the participation from
negatively impacting the coverage rights of the insured.