HLS 20RS-603 REENGROSSED
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 152
BY REPRESENTATIVES BROWN, BAGLEY, STAGNI, ADAMS, ROBBY CARTER,
CORMIER, COX, EDMONSTON, FREEMAN, AND WILLARD
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 in the large group market, as defined in R.S. 22:1091(B), shall provide coverage
11 for any acupuncture performed by an individual licensed pursuant to R.S. 37:1356
12 et seq., when such services are medically necessary and not otherwise excluded from
13 coverage.
14 (b) Terminology in a policy or contract deemed discriminatory against any
15 person or method of practice, including but not limited to the manner of payment or
16 reimbursement under the policy, shall be null and void.
17 (2) The coverage provided pursuant to this Section may be subject to annual
18 deductibles, coinsurance, and copayment provisions as are consistent with those
19 established under the health coverage plan.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 20RS-603 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 152
1 (3) The coverage provided pursuant to this Section may be limited to twelve
2 visits for acupuncture treatment per policy or contract benefit period.
3 B. For purposes of this Section, "health coverage plan" means any hospital,
4 health, or medical expense insurance policy, hospital or medical service contract,
5 employee welfare benefit plan, contract, or other agreement with a health
6 maintenance organization or a preferred provider organization, health and accident
7 insurance policy, or any other insurance contract of this type in this state, including
8 a group insurance plan, a self-insurance plan, and the Office of Group Benefits
9 programs. "Health coverage plan" shall not include a plan providing coverage for
10 excepted benefits as defined in R.S. 22:1061, limited benefit health insurance plans,
11 and short-term policies that have a term of less than twelve months.
12 Section 2.(A) This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2021.
13 (B) This Act shall apply to any new policy, contract, program, or health coverage
14plan issued on and after January 1, 2021. Any policy, contract, or health coverage plan in
15effect prior to January 1, 2021, shall convert to conform to the provisions of this Act on or
16before the renewal date, but no later than January 1, 2022.
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 152 Reengrossed 2020 Regular Session Brown
Abstract: Requires insurance coverage for acupuncture performed by a licensed
acupuncturist.
Proposed law requires any health coverage plan in the large market group, delivered or
issued for delivery in this state, to provide coverage for acupuncture performed by an
individual licensed by law, when the service is medically necessary and not otherwise
excluded from coverage.
Proposed law 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 required coverage may be subject to annual deductibles,
coinsurance, and copayment provisions as are consistent with those established under the
health coverage plan.
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HB NO. 152
Proposed law provides that coverage for acupuncture treatment may be limited to 12 annual
visits per policy or contract.
Proposed law applies to any new policy, contract, program, or health coverage plan issued
on and after Jan. 1, 2021. Any policy, contract, or health coverage plan in effect prior to Jan.
1, 2021, shall convert to conform to the provisions of proposed law on or before the renewal
date, but no later than Jan. 1, 2022.
Effective Jan. 1, 2021.
(Adds R.S. 22:1057)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Insurance to the
original bill:
1. Specify that the health coverage plan referenced in proposed law means the
"large group market" as defined in present law, (R.S. 22:1091(B)), and require
the coverage of acupuncture when medically necessary and not otherwise
excluded from coverage.
2. Provide that coverage for acupuncture treatment may be limited to 12 annual
visits per policy or contract.
3. Change the effective date relative to policy, contract, or health coverage plan
renewals from Jan. 1, 2021 to Jan. 1, 2022.
4. Make technical changes.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.