GENETICS: Requests the Department of Insurance and the Louisiana Department of Health to jointly review the implementation and enforcement of Louisiana's biomarker testing coverage law.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kirk Talbot

Louisiana will study and report on biomarker testing coverage, denial reasons, timelines, and access barriers to improve compliance, transparency, and patient access.

Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate and sent to the Secretary of State by the Secretary of the Senate on 6/2/2026.

Summary of SR 170 (Louisiana, 2026)

Purpose and intent

This Senate Resolution urges the Louisiana Department of Insurance (DOI) and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) to jointly conduct a comprehensive review of how Louisiana’s biomarker testing coverage law has been implemented and enforced since January 1, 2024.

The goal is to assess compliance, access, and potential gaps, with findings and recommendations reported to legislative committees by February 1, 2027.

Key provisions and scope of review

The joint study should cover implementation and enforcement of the biomarker testing coverage law from January 1, 2024 to the present.

The required written report must include:

Volume of biomarker testing claims submitted to health insurers and managed care organizations in Louisiana.
Outcomes of claims: number approved, denied, partially denied, or not paid in full.
Reasons for denials or adverse determinations (e.g., prior authorization, medical necessity, coding issues, network limitations, administrative grounds).
Average time from healthcare provider request to test administration/completion.
Details and outcomes of appeals, reconsiderations, grievances, or external reviews related to biomarker testing claims.
A review of adjudication and utilization management practices tied to biomarker testing claims, including review timelines and payment processes.
Utilization and reimbursement of Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) codes and other common billing codes for biomarker testing.
Aggregated data on approvals, denials, and appeals by insurer, managed care organization, and biomarker testing category (as permitted by law).
Barriers to patient access to biomarker testing services (administrative, reimbursement, network-related, timing-related, etc.).
Recommendations for legislative, regulatory, or administrative changes to improve compliance, transparency, and patient access.

Who is affected

Health insurers and managed care organizations operating in Louisiana.

Healthcare providers ordering biomarker tests.

Laboratories (including those using PLA codes and other billing codes).

Patients requiring biomarker testing for cancer or other serious diseases.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The review covers data from January 1, 2024, through the present.

The findings and recommendations must be submitted in a written report to:

Senate and House committees on Insurance
Senate and House committees on Health and Welfare
No later than February 1, 2027

The DOI and LDH may consult with stakeholders such as healthcare providers, patient advocacy groups, laboratories, insurers, and managed care organizations during the study.

The report must be submitted in one printed copy and one electronic copy to the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library, per legislative requirements.

Practical implications

Aimed at ensuring consistent, fair, and timely access to biomarker testing in Louisiana.

Could inform potential future legislative or regulatory actions to improve coverage determinations, reduce delays, and enhance transparency in billing and appeals related to biomarker testing.