ENROLLED
ACT No. 250
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 152
BY REPRESENTATIVES BROWN, BAGLEY, STAGNI, ADAMS, ROBBY CARTER,
CORMIER, COX, EDMONSTON, FREEMAN, AND WILLARD
1 AN ACT
2 To 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.
6 Be 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.
20 (3) The coverage provided pursuant to this Section may be limited to twelve
21 visits for acupuncture treatment per policy or contract benefit period.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HB NO. 152 ENROLLED
1 B. For purposes of this Section, "health coverage plan" means any hospital,
2 health, or medical expense insurance policy, hospital or medical service contract,
3 employee welfare benefit plan, contract, or other agreement with a health
4 maintenance organization or a preferred provider organization, health and accident
5 insurance policy, or any other insurance contract of this type in this state, including
6 a group insurance plan, a self-insurance plan, and the Office of Group Benefits
7 programs. "Health coverage plan" shall not include a plan providing coverage for
8 excepted benefits as defined in R.S. 22:1061, limited benefit health insurance plans,
9 and short-term policies that have a term of less than twelve months.
10 Section 2.(A) This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2021.
11 (B) This Act shall apply to any new policy, contract, program, or health coverage
12 plan issued on and after January 1, 2021. Any policy, contract, or health coverage plan in
13 effect prior to January 1, 2021, shall convert to conform to the provisions of this Act on or
14 before the renewal date, but no later than January 1, 2022.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.