The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Brandi Cannon.
DIGEST
SB 135 Engrossed 2023 Regular Session Barrow
Proposed law provides that the La. Dept. of Health shall implement a Medicaid reimbursement rate
for services by licensed midwives or certified nurse midwives that is, at a minimum, 95% of the
amount reimbursed to licensed physicians for the provision of the same health services in pregnancy
and childbirth, when acting within their scope of practice.
Proposed law defines "midwife".
Proposed law requires the midwife to be enrolled as a Medicaid provider and be a managed care
organization network or fee for service 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)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill
1. Increase the minimum reimbursement from 90% to 95% of the amount reimbursed
to licensed physicians.
2. Specify that services must be within the scope of practice for midwives.
3. Extend applicability to both licensed midwives and certified nurse midwives. 4. Extend applicability to a midwife enrolled as a Medicaid fee for service provider.
5. Make technical changes.