§1059. Required coverage for services provided by midwives; reimbursement
discrimination prohibited; definitions
A. The legislature hereby finds and affirms all of the following:
(1)Midwives are community-based practitioners who provide comprehensive,
holistic, individualized maternity care and alternative birthing services to low-risk clients.
(2)Midwifery care is family-centered and individualized to consider the unique
cultural, ethnic, psychosocial, nutritional, and educational needs of the client and supports
healthy lifestyle habits that benefit the whole family.
(3)Midwives have made a tremendous contribution to the health and welfare of
mothers and the practice of midwifery continues to advance as a profession as these
providers comprise an increasing part of mainstream health c
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§1059. Required coverage for services provided by midwives; reimbursement
discrimination prohibited; definitions
A. The legislature hereby finds and affirms all of the following:
(1) Midwives are community-based practitioners who provide comprehensive,
holistic, individualized maternity care and alternative birthing services to low-risk clients.
(2) Midwifery care is family-centered and individualized to consider the unique
cultural, ethnic, psychosocial, nutritional, and educational needs of the client and supports
healthy lifestyle habits that benefit the whole family.
(3) Midwives have made a tremendous contribution to the health and welfare of
mothers and the practice of midwifery continues to advance as a profession as these
providers comprise an increasing part of mainstream health care.
B.(1) Any health coverage plan delivered or issued for delivery in this state that
provides benefits for maternity services shall include coverage for healthcare services
provided by a midwife.
(2) The coverage provided for in this Section may be subject to annual deductibles,
coinsurance, and copayments. A health coverage plan shall not differentiate between
services performed by a midwife within his lawful scope of practice and services by a
physician with respect to copayment or annual deductible amounts or coinsurance
percentages.
C.(1) Whenever any health coverage plan delivered or issued for delivery in this state
provides for reimbursement of any services which are within the lawful scope of practice of
certified nurse midwives and certified professional midwives as defined in R.S. 37:3241, the
insured or other person entitled to benefits under the health coverage plan shall be entitled
to reimbursement for the services, whether the services are performed by a physician or a
midwife.
(2) Terminology in any health coverage plan policy or contract deemed
discriminatory against certified nurse midwives, certified professional midwives, or
midwifery or that inhibits reimbursement for services at the in-network rate is void and
unenforceable.
D. For purposes of this Section, the following definitions apply:
(1) "Health coverage plan" means any hospital, health, or medical expense insurance
policy, hospital or medical service contract, employee welfare benefit plan, contract, or other
agreement with a health maintenance organization or a preferred provider organization,
health and accident insurance policy, or any other insurance contract of this type in this state,
including a group insurance plan, a self-insurance plan, and the Office of Group Benefits
programs. "Health coverage plan" does not include a plan providing coverage for excepted
benefits as defined in R.S. 22:1061, limited benefit health insurance plans, and short-term
policies that have a term of less than twelve months.
(2) "Midwife" means a certified nurse midwife licensed by the Louisiana State Board
of Nursing in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 37:911 et seq. or a certified professional
midwife licensed pursuant to the Midwife Practitioners Act, R.S. 37:3240 et seq.