SLS 23RS-331 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 135
BY SENATOR BARROW
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
MEDICAID. Provides relative to Medicaid reimbursement for services provided by a
licensed midwife. (8/1/23)
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 46:451, relative to Medicaid reimbursement for midwifery services; to provide
3 for a minimum rate of reimbursement relative to physician reimbursement; to
4 provide for legislative findings; to provide for definitions; to provide for eligibility
5 requirements; to provide for approval by CMS; to provide for rulemaking; to provide
6 for prohibited decreases in certain reimbursements; and to provide for related
7 matters.
8 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
9 Section 1. R.S. 46:451 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
10 ยง451. Medicaid reimbursement; midwifery services
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
17 client and supports healthy lifestyle habits that benefit the whole family.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 135
SLS 23RS-331 ORIGINAL
1 (3) Midwives have made a tremendous contribution to the health and
2 welfare of mothers and the practice of midwifery continues to advance as a
3 profession as these providers comprise an increasing part of mainstream health
4 care.
5 B. The Louisiana Department of Health shall implement a Medicaid
6 reimbursement rate for midwifery services that is, at a minimum, ninety
7 percent of the amount reimbursed to licensed physicians for the provision of the
8 same health services in pregnancy and childbirth.
9 C. For purposes of this Section, "midwife" means a midwife licensed by
10 the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners pursuant to R.S. 37:3240 et
11 seq. or a nurse midwife certified by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing
12 pursuant to R.S. 37:913.
13 D.(1) The midwife shall be enrolled as a Medicaid provider and be a
14 managed care organization network provider in the Medicaid program in order
15 to be reimbursed in accordance with this Section.
16 (2) Implementation of the reimbursement rate provided for in this
17 Section shall be subject to approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
18 Services.
19 (3) The Louisiana Department of Health may promulgate any rules as
20 may be necessary to implement the provisions of this Section.
21 E.(1) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require a decrease in
22 any reimbursement rate for midwife services that are reimbursed equal to the
23 amount reimbursed to licensed physicians.
24 (2) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to expand, diminish, or
25 alter the scope of practice of a midwife.
26 (3) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require the Medicaid
27 program to cover any specific healthcare service.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 135
SLS 23RS-331 ORIGINAL
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Brandi Cannon.
DIGEST
SB 135 Original 2023 Regular Session Barrow
Proposed law provides that the La. Dept. of Health shall implement a Medicaid
reimbursement rate for midwife services that is, at a minimum, 90% of the amount
reimbursed to licensed physicians for the provision of the same health services in pregnancy
and childbirth.
Proposed law defines "midwife".
Proposed law requires the midwife to be enrolled as a Medicaid provider and be a managed
care organization network provider in the Medicaid program in order to be reimbursed in
accordance with proposed law.
Proposed law is subject to approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Proposed law shall not be construed to do any of the following:
(1)Require a decrease in any reimbursement rate for midwife services that are
reimbursed equal to the amount reimbursed to licensed physicians.
(2)Expand, diminish, or alter the scope of practice of a midwife.
(3)Require Medicaid to cover any specific healthcare service.
Effective August 1, 2023.
(Adds R.S. 46:451)
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.