SLS 21RS-173 ORIGINAL
2021 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 84
BY SENATOR TALBOT
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
INSURANCE POLICIES. Provides for health insurance coverage of genetic testing for
various cancer mutations. (1/1/22)
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 22:1028.3, relative to health insurance coverage; to require health insurance
3 coverage for genetic testing for various cancer mutations; to provide for the
4 definition of health coverage plan; and to provide for related matters.
5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 22:1028.3 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
7 ยง1028.3. Required coverage for genetic testing for cancer
8 A. The legislature hereby finds that cancer is a leading cause of death in
9 this state. Medical advances in genetic testing for various types of cancer
10 including but not limited to breast, ovarian, colon, thyroid, prostate, pancreatic,
11 melanoma, sarcoma, kidney, and stomach cancers greatly assist in estimating
12 the chance of developing cancer in an individual's lifetime. Genetic testing can
13 help predict the risk of a particular cancer and assist in determining if a patient
14 has genes that may pass increased cancer risks to their children.
15 B.(1) Any health coverage plan renewed, delivered, or issued for delivery
16 in this state shall include coverage for the cost of genetic or molecular testing for
17 cancer including but not limited to tumor mutation testing, next generation
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. 84
SLS 21RS-173 ORIGINAL
1 sequencing, hereditary germline mutation testing, pharmacogenomic testing,
2 whole exome and genome sequencing.
3 (2) The coverage provided in this Section may be subject to annual
4 deductibles, coinsurance, and copayment provisions as are consistent with those
5 established under the health coverage plan.
6 C. For purposes of this Section, "health coverage plan" means any
7 hospital, health, or medical expense insurance policy, hospital or medical
8 service contract, employee welfare benefit plan, contract, or other agreement
9 with a health maintenance organization or a preferred provider organization,
10 health and accident insurance policy, or any other insurance contract of this
11 type in this state, including group insurance plan, a self-insurance plan, and the
12 office of group benefits programs. "Health coverage plan" shall not include a
13 plan providing coverage for excepted benefits defined in R.S. 22:1061, limited
14 benefit health insurance plans, and short-term policies that have a term of less
15 than twelve months.
16 Section 2. This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2022 and shall apply to any health
17 coverage plan as defined in this Act that is renewed, delivered, or issued for delivery, in this
18 state on or after January 1, 2022.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Cheryl Cooper.
DIGEST
SB 84 Original 2021 Regular Session Talbot
Proposed law requires any health coverage plan renewed, delivered, or issued for delivery,
in this state include coverage for the cost of genetic or molecular cancer testing including
but not limited to tumor mutation testing, next generation sequencing, hereditary germline
mutation testing, pharmacogenomic testing, whole exome, and genome sequencing.
Proposed law authorizes the coverage for genetic cancer testing to be subject to annual
deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
Proposed law defines health coverage plan as any hospital, health, or medical expense
insurance policy, hospital or medical service contract, employee welfare benefit plan,
contract, or other agreement with a health maintenance organization or a preferred provider
organization, health and accident insurance policy, or any other insurance contract of this
type in the state, including group insurance plans, self-insurance plans, and the office of
group benefits programs. Excludes a plan providing coverage for excepted benefits in
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. 84
SLS 21RS-173 ORIGINAL
present law, limited benefit health insurance plans, and short-term policies that have a term
of less than 12 months.
Proposed law applies to health coverage plans renewed, delivered, or issued for delivery in
their state on or after January 1, 2022.
Effective January 1, 2022.
(Adds R.S. 22:1028.3)
Page 3 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.