GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 643 2023 Regular Session Horton
CHILDREN/NEWBORNS: P rovides relative to cytomegalovirus (CMV) testing for
newborns
DIGEST
Proposed law requires a healthcare provider attending a newborn child to administer
appropriate testing for the cytomegalovirus if the newborn fails the newborn hearing screen
and, in the exercise of professional judgment, the healthcare provider believes that the testing
would be in the best interest of the newborn.
Proposed law provides that any testing for cytomegalovirus provided in accordance with
proposed law shall be considered medically necessary and shall not be denied on the basis
for failing to meet any applicable medically necessary standards or requirements by any
health insurance issuer which otherwise provides coverage for the testing.
Proposed law further requires the La. Dept. of Health (LDH) to provide payment to all
Medicaid providers for the costs incurred as a result of the administration of testing in
accordance with proposed law.
Proposed law provides that payment shall be made by LDH within 30 days of receiving a
claim for payment from a healthcare provider.
Proposed law shall be known and may be cited as "Journie's Law".
(Adds R.S. 40:1086.21)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Remove the requirement for hospitals, birthing centers, licensed midwives, and
certified nurse midwives to ensure that a test for the cytomegalovirus (CMV) be
delivered to a newborn.
2. Remove the requirement for LDH to report any positive test results within five
days.
3. Require a healthcare provider attending a newborn child to administer
appropriate testing for CMV if the newborn fails the newborn hearing screen.
4. Require LDH to provide payment directly to all healthcare providers for the costs
incurred as a result of the administration of testing in accordance with proposed
law.
5. Require payments to be made by LDH within 15 days of receiving a claim for
payment from a healthcare provider.
6. Make technical corrections.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to the
reengrossed bill
1. Limit the requirement to test a newborn to cases where a healthcare provider
believes it to be in the best interest of the child.
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Prepared by Brandi Cannon. 2. Provide that testing in accordance with proposed law shall be considered
medically necessary for the purposes of insurance coverage.
3. Limit the requirement for LDH to directly reimburse all healthcare providers to
a requirement for LDH to reimburse all Medicaid providers.
4. Increase the amount of time payment is to be made by LDH from within 15 days
of receiving a claim to within 30 days of receiving a claim.
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Prepared by Brandi Cannon.