INSURANCE/HEALTH: Provides relative to coverage of colorectal cancer screening, colonoscopies, and associated preventive services (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Aimee Freeman

Louisiana insurers must cover colonoscopy-based colorectal cancer screening and any follow-up colonoscopies linked to screening as preventive, routine screening services.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.

Purpose and Intent

Establishes health insurance coverage rules for colorectal cancer screening, specifically focusing on colonoscopies performed for screening and related preventive services.

Aligns coverage with screening as defined by recognized medical guidelines, and clarifies that certain subsequent procedures tied to initial screenings are also considered screening services.

Key Provisions and Changes

Definition of Routine Colorectal Cancer Screening

Maintains the definition of “routine colorectal cancer screening” in reference to the most recently published recommendations of:
- American Cancer Society (ACS)
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
Excludes services that are deemed experimental or investigational and thus not covered.

Classification of Colonoscopies for Screening

Any colonoscopy performed for the purpose of colorectal cancer screening shall be classified as a screening service.
This classification applies even if a polyp or other tissue is removed during the procedure.

Subsequent Colonoscopies Related to Screening

Any colonoscopy recommended by a healthcare provider as a result of findings from a routine colorectal cancer screening shall also be considered a routine colorectal cancer screening.

Regulatory Mechanism

Amends and reenacts R.S. 22:1029(B) to implement these classifications and definitions within the state health insurance coverage framework.

Who or What Would Be Affected

Individuals with Health Insurance in Louisiana: Those undergoing colorectal cancer screening via colonoscopy would have screenings covered as preventive services, with the broader treatment or diagnostic colonoscopies framed within the screening category when linked to screening outcomes.

Insurers and Health Plans: Must classify and cover screening colonoscopies (including follow-up procedures linked to initial screenings) as preventive screening services, subject to standard coverage policies for routine screenings.

Health Care Providers: Can rely on screening status for billing and coverage purposes; follow-up colonoscopies prompted by screening findings would be covered as screening services.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

The bill is enacted as an amendment and reenactment of existing law (R.S. 22:1029(B)).

Action history indicates:

Read by title and referred to the House Committee on Insurance (April 1, 2026)
Reported favorably by the committee (April 15, 2026)
Read by title and passed to engrossed/third reading (April 16, 2026)

Effective date: The text does not specify an explicit effective date within the excerpt; typically, when enacted, such provisions take effect upon final passage or a date specified in the act. If you need the exact effective date, please refer to the enrolled bill or the act as enacted.

Additional Notes

No change to other non-screening colorectal procedures unless they are part of a follow-up due to screening results.

The measure ties coverage to the latest ACS or NCCN guidelines, ensuring alignment with current preventive recommendations.

This summary focuses on the substantive changes HB 1196 would implement regarding insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screening and related colonoscopies. If you want the full statutory language or a side-by-side comparison with current law, I can provide that as well.

Bill