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 186 Reengrossed 2023 Regular Session Davis
Abstract: Requires health coverage benefits for standard fertility preservation services under certain
conditions.
Proposed law requires a health coverage plan (plan) that provides hospital, medical, or surgical
benefits to cover medically necessary expenses for standard fertility preservation services for a
covered individual who undergoes a medical treatment for cancer that may directly or indirectly
cause iatrogenic infertility. Requires a plan to cover the costs associated with storage of oocytes and
sperm for a minimum of three years, but authorizes a plan to exclude such storage costs thereafter.
Proposed law prohibits a plan from requiring preauthorization for coverage, but authorizes a plan
to contain provisions for maximum benefits and applications of deductibles, copayments,
coinsurances, and reasonable limitations and exclusions to the extent that these applications are not
inconsistent with proposed law.
Proposed law authorizes a religious employer to submit to an issuer a written request for exemption
when the employer's beliefs and practices conflict with the requirements of proposed law. Requires
a religious employer exempt from proposed law to provide written notice of its exemption to
prospective enrollees of its plan.
Proposed law defines "health coverage plan", "iatrogenic infertility", "medical treatment that
may directly or indirectly cause iatrogenic infertility", "religious employer", and "standard fertility
preservation services".
Proposed law may be known and cited as "The Medically Necessary Fertility Preservation
Act".
Effective Jan. 1, 2024.
(Adds R.S. 22:1036.1)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Insurance to the original bill:
1. Add that proposed law does not apply to plans offered through the office of group benefits until proposed law has been studied and the legislature specifies an
appropriation.
2. Make technical changes.
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Appropriations to the engrossed
bill:
1. Delete provision relative to applicability of proposed law to plans offered by the Office
of Group Benefits.