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 408 Original 2020 Regular Session LaCombe
Abstract: Requires insurance coverage for a drug that is not indicated for the bodily location of a
patient's cancer if the drug is approved by the FDA for the treatment of the specific mutation
of the patient's cancer.
Proposed law prohibits a health coverage plan delivered or issued for delivery in this state from
denying coverage for a medically necessary drug prescribed by a physician on the sole basis that the
drug is not indicated for the location in the body of the patient's cancer if the drug is approved by the
United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of the specific mutation of the
patient's cancer.
Proposed law requires any health coverage plan delivered or issued for delivery in this state to
include coverage for a minimum initial treatment period of at least three months for a medically
necessary drug prescribed by a physician that is not indicated for the location in the body of the
patient's cancer if the drug is approved by the FDA for the treatment of the specific mutation of the
patient's cancer.
Proposed law requires the health coverage plan to continue to provide coverage of the prescribed
drug after the initial treatment period if the treating physician certifies that the prescribed drug is
necessary for the treatment of the patient's cancer.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 22:1054.1)