HLS 20RS-369 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 501
BY REPRESENTATIVE WILLARD
INSURANCE/HEALTH: Provides for health insurance coverage for midwifery services
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 22:1057, relative to health insurance coverage for midwifery services; to
3 require health insurance coverage for healthcare services provided by midwives; to
4 provide for legislative findings; to prohibit discrimination in reimbursement; to
5 define key terms; to provide for applicability; to establish an effective date; and to
6 provide for related matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 22:1057 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
9 ยง1057. Required coverage for midwifery services; reimbursement discrimination
10 prohibited; definitions
11 A. The legislature hereby finds and affirms all of the following:
12 (1) Licensed midwives are community-based practitioners who provide
13 comprehensive, holistic, individualized maternity care and alternative birthing
14 services to low-risk clients.
15 (2) Midwifery care is family-centered and individualized to consider the
16 unique cultural, ethnic, psychosocial, nutritional, and educational needs of the client
17 and supports healthy lifestyle habits that benefit the whole family.
18 (3) Midwives have made a tremendous contribution to the health and welfare
19 of mothers and the practice of midwifery continues to advance as a profession as
20 these providers comprise an increasing part of mainstream health care.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 20RS-369 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 501
1 B.(1) Any health coverage plan delivered or issued for delivery in this state
2 that provides benefits for maternity services shall include coverage for healthcare
3 services provided by a midwife.
4 (2) The coverage provided for in this Section may be subject to annual
5 deductibles, coinsurance, and copayment provisions as are consistent with those
6 established under the health coverage plan.
7 C.(1) Whenever any health coverage plan delivered or issued for delivery in
8 this state provides for reimbursement of any services which are within the lawful
9 scope of practice of a licensed midwife as defined in R.S. 37:3241, the insured or
10 other person entitled to benefits under the health coverage plan shall be entitled to
11 reimbursements for the services, whether the services are performed by a physician
12 or a midwife.
13 (2) There shall be no discrimination in the amount of reimbursement allowed
14 for the services, whether performed by a midwife or physician, in instances where
15 the services performed are within the lawful scope of practice of both professions.
16 (3) Terminology in any health coverage plan policy or contract deemed
17 discriminatory against midwives or the practice of midwifery shall be void.
18 D. For purposes of this Section, the following definitions apply:
19 (1) "Health coverage plan" means any hospital, health, or medical expense
20 insurance policy, hospital or medical service contract, employee welfare benefit plan,
21 contract, or other agreement with a health maintenance organization or a preferred
22 provider organization, health and accident insurance policy, or any other insurance
23 contract of this type in this state, including a group insurance plan, a self-insurance
24 plan, and the Office of Group Benefits programs. "Health coverage plan" shall not
25 include a plan providing coverage for excepted benefits as defined in R.S. 22:1061,
26 limited benefit health insurance plans, and short-term policies that have a term of
27 less than twelve months.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 20RS-369 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 501
1 (2) "Midwife" means a certified nurse midwife licensed by the Louisiana
2 State Board of Nursing or a midwife licensed pursuant to the Midwife Practitioners
3 Act, R.S. 37:3240 et seq.
4 Section 2(A). This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2021.
5 (B) This Act shall apply to any new policy, contract, program, or health coverage
6plan issued on and after January 1, 2021. Any policy, contract, or health coverage plan in
7effect prior to January 1, 2021, shall convert to conform to the provisions of this Act on or
8before the renewal date, but no later than January 1, 2021.
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 501 Original 2020 Regular Session Willard
Abstract: Requires health insurance coverage for healthcare services provided by midwives
and prohibits discrimination in reimbursement amounts.
Proposed law requires any health coverage plan delivered or issued for delivery in this state
that provides benefits for maternity services to include coverage for healthcare services
provided by a midwife, subject to annual deductibles, coinsurance, and copayment
provisions as are consistent with those established under the health coverage plan.
Proposed law provides that the insured or other person entitled to benefits under the health
coverage plan is entitled to reimbursements for services within the lawful scope of practice
of a licensed midwife as defined in law, whether the services are performed by a physician
or a midwife.
Proposed law prohibits discrimination in the amount of reimbursement allowed for
midwifery services, whether performed by a midwife or physician, in instances where the
services performed are within the lawful scope of practice of both professions.
Proposed law defines "health coverage plan" and "midwife".
Effective Jan. 1, 2021.
(Adds R.S. 22:1057)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.