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 489 Original 2024 Regular Session Hughes
Abstract: Provides Medicaid coverage for dietician and nutrition support and certain types of breast
pumps and funding for remote patient monitoring programs for pregnant and postpartum
women.
Proposed law declares that the state of Louisiana has the nation's highest maternal death rate and the
nation's second highest infant death rate. Proposed law further provides for legislative findings.
Proposed law requires the La. Dept. of Health (LDH) to revise Medicaid coverage as necessary to
implement Proposed law. Proposed law further provides that such revisions shall include but not
be limited to all of the following:
(1) Providing insurance coverage for dietician and nutrition consultation support at the referral
of the medical provider without a requirement of a diagnosis of gestational diabetes;
(2) Providing insurance coverage for hospital-grade breast pumps for neonatal intensive care unit
mothers;
(3) Providing coverage for double electric breast pumps beginning at 20 weeks gestation; and
(4) Funding remote patient monitoring programs for pregnant and postpartum women.
Proposed law requires the Medicaid program in this state to cover inpatient and, if deemed
appropriate, outpatient coverage for maternal or infant healthcare services when such care or
treatment, is used for a medically accepted indication, and administered in any healthcare facility by
any healthcare professional appropriately licensed in this state to provide such healthcare services
in accordance with state and federal provisions.
Proposed law provides that the eligibility of a prospective enrollee shall be determined by the
healthcare facility appropriately providing maternal or infant healthcare services as provided in
proposed law.
Proposed law establishes certain requirements for the secretary of LDH in compliance with proposed
law.
(Adds R.S. 46:977.32 and 977.33)