SLS 20RS-721 ENGROSSED
2020 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 426
BY SENATORS BARROW AND CARTER
INSURANCE CLAIMS. Requires health insurance coverage for COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
diagnostic testing. (gov sig)
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 22:1057, relative to insurance coverage for COVID-19; to require coverage
3 for certain tests and treatments for COVID-19; to prohibit application of cost-sharing
4 provisions; to define key terms; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for
5 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. Coverage for COVID-19 tests and treatments
9 A. No health coverage plan delivered or issued for delivery in this state
10 shall deny coverage for COVID-19 diagnostic tests, antibody tests, and antiviral
11 drugs.
12 B. Any health coverage plan delivered or issued for delivery in this state
13 shall include coverage for COVID-19 diagnostic tests, antibody tests, and
14 antiviral drugs.
15 C. The coverage required in this Section shall not be subject to annual
16 deductibles, coinsurance, copayment, or any other out-of-pocket or cost-sharing
17 expense provisions.
Page 1 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426
SLS 20RS-721 ENGROSSED
1 D. For purposes of this Section, the following definitions apply:
2 (1) "COVID-19" means the coronavirus disease 2019 as designated by
3 the World Health Organization.
4 (2) "Health coverage plan" means any hospital, health, or medical
5 expense insurance policy, hospital or medical service contract, employee welfare
6 benefit plan, contract, or other agreement with a health maintenance
7 organization or a preferred provider organization, health and accident
8 insurance policy, or any other insurance contract of this type in this state,
9 including a group insurance plan, a self-insurance plan, and the Office of Group
10 Benefits programs. "Health coverage plan" shall not include a plan providing
11 coverage for excepted benefits as defined in R.S. 22:1061, limited benefit health
12 insurance plans, and short-term policies that have a term of less than twelve
13 months.
14 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
15 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
16 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
17 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
18 effective on the day following such approval.
The original instrument was prepared by Brandi Cannon and the following
digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, was prepared
by LG Sullivan.
DIGEST
SB 426 Engrossed 2020 Regular Session Barrow
Proposed law prohibits a health coverage plan delivered or issued for delivery in this state
from denying coverage for COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing and antiviral drugs.
Proposed law requires any health coverage plan delivered or issued for delivery in this state
to include coverage for COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing and antiviral drugs.
Proposed law prohibits the application of annual deductibles, coinsurance, copayment, or
any other out-of-pocket or cost-sharing expense provisions.
Proposed law defines "COVID-19" and "health coverage plan".
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 22:1057)
Page 2 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 426
SLS 20RS-721 ENGROSSED
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Insurance to the original
bill
1. Require coverage of antibody tests and antiviral drugs
Page 3 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.