LouisianaLouisiana health plans cover SCN2A testing and needed care
Louisiana health plans must cover medically necessary care for SCN2A-related conditions, with genetic testing coverage applying to plans issued or renewed starting January 1, 2027.
What it does
Louisiana health plans must cover medically necessary genetic testing for SCN2A-related conditions when a treating provider orders it. Plans may require prior approval under the same rules they use for other benefits.
Health plans must cover medically necessary care for SCN2A-related conditions, including medicines, therapy, equipment, and feeding support. Plans may charge cost sharing no higher than for other medical or surgical care.
Plans cannot deny covered testing or medically necessary care because of disability, developmental status, or a preexisting condition. They must explain medical-need denials in writing, and enrollees may appeal.
Argument forCoverage for medicines, therapy, equipment, and other needed care may help people with SCN2A-related conditions get support suited to their needs.
Argument againstPrior approval and cost sharing could still make care harder to access, even though plans must apply limits no more strictly than for other benefits.
More detail
Health plans must cover genetic testing to diagnose SCN2A-related conditions when a treating doctor or advanced practice provider orders it and it is medically necessary. This applies to health coverage plans delivered, issued, renewed, or otherwise contracted for in Louisiana. The law says the plan must find the test medically necessary and that the treating provider determines medical necessity. Plans may require prior approval if they apply that rule without discrimination and no more strictly than for other benefits. The testing coverage rule applies to plans delivered, issued, renewed, or otherwise contracted for in Louisiana on or after January 1, 2027.
Health plans must cover medically necessary treatment for SCN2A-related conditions. The requirement applies to medically necessary treatment for SCN2A-related conditions under health coverage plans, except limited benefit policies and contracts. Covered care includes medicines, therapy, equipment, and feeding or nutrition services, as well as other care the treating provider finds medically necessary. Plans may charge copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance no higher than for other medical or surgical benefits. Limited benefit health insurance policies and contracts are excluded. The law takes effect upon the governor's signature.
Plans must not deny covered testing or medically necessary treatment because of disability, developmental status, or a preexisting condition. They must explain medical-need denials in writing. These protections apply to genetic testing and medically necessary treatment covered under the law for SCN2A-related conditions. A written denial must give the reasons and explain why the request does not meet medical-need standards. An enrollee may appeal a denial under the appeal process referenced in the law. The law takes effect upon the governor's signature.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 9Signed by the Governor Jeff Landry. Becomes Act No. 884.Became Law
- Jun 9Effective date: 06/09/2026.
- Jun 4Sent to the Governor for executive approval.To Governor
- Jun 1Signed by the President of the Senate.
- May 31Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.Minor
- May 29Scheduled for concurrence on 05/29/2026.
- Vote recorded CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS (#1753). Result: pass.Lower
- May 29Read by title, roll called, yeas 96, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.
- May 28The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 32 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#1502). Result: pass.Upper
- May 28Received from the Senate with amendments.Minor
- May 27Rules suspended. Reported with amendments. Rules suspended. Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.Minor
- May 27Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.Minor
- May 26Rules suspended. Recalled from Committee.
- May 26Read by title. Recommitted to the Committee on Insurance.
- May 21Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary B.Minor
- May 20Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 94, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.Passed House
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#1451). Result: pass.Lower
- May 20Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.Minor
- May 19Discharged from the Committee on Appropriations.
- May 19Read by title, passed to 3rd reading.Minor
- May 19Scheduled for floor debate on 05/20/2026.
- Apr 27Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations.
- Apr 23Reported with amendments (10-0).Minor
- Apr 1Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Insurance.Minor
- Mar 31Read by title. Lies over under the rules.Introduced
Healthcare