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HB 1176

INSURANCE/HEALTH: Requires that Medicare Advantage plans provide insurance coverage for integrative care services (EN SEE FISC NOTE See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Aimee Freeman

Louisiana Medicare Advantage plans must cover integrative care services (e.g., acupuncture, scalp cooling) when recommended by national guidelines and used with a covered condition

Effective date: 01/01/2027.
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Bill Summary · HB 1176

Summary of HB 1176 (Louisiana, 2026)

Purpose and Intent

  • Mandates that Medicare Advantage plans offered in Louisiana provide coverage for integrative care services when such services are recommended by nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines and used in connection with a diagnosed, treated, or managed medical condition.
  • Aligns with existing law that requires coverage for certain integrative cancer-related services under commercial health insurance, by extending a comparable requirement to Medicare Advantage plans, to the extent allowed by federal law.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Section 22:1077.6 (new law)
    • A Medicare Advantage plan available in Louisiana must provide coverage for integrative care services when:
    • The services are recommended by nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines, and
    • They are rendered in conjunction with the diagnosis, treatment, or management of a covered medical condition.
    • Coverage may be subject to standard cost-sharing mechanics (annual deductibles, coinsurance, copayments) and prior authorization, as consistent with the plan and applicable federal law.
    • Definitions:
    • Integrative care services: Evidence-based therapeutic modalities used alongside conventional medical treatments and endorsed by nationally recognized clinical guidelines. Examples include acupuncture, cryotherapy, and scalp cooling systems designed for repeated medical use.
    • Medicare Advantage plan: Any Medicare Part C plan, private fee-for-service plan, or other plan type approved by CMS and offered by a Medicare Advantage organization licensed in Louisiana.
    • Utilization management: Plans may implement utilization management protocols that are consistent with federal law and the plan’s terms, so long as they do not conflict with the required coverage.
    • Federal law alignment: The statute cannot mandate coverage in a way that conflicts with federal law or Medicare Advantage regulations; interpretations must be consistent with federal requirements.
    • Implementation obligations for the Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance:
    • Submit required notifications/materials to CMS as needed.
    • Promulgate implementing rules under the Administrative Procedure Act.
    • Take other actions necessary to implement the provision, to the extent permitted by federal law.

Applicability and Timeline

  • Effective date: January 1, 2027.
  • New coverage applies to new policies issued on or after January 1, 2026.
  • For policies in effect on January 1, 2026, existing plans must convert to comply by their next renewal date, but no later than January 1, 2027.

Affected Entities

  • Medicare Advantage plans offered in Louisiana.
  • Medicare Advantage organizations licensed in Louisiana.
  • Insurance Commissioner (responsible for rulemaking and implementation in coordination with CMS).

Procedural and Administrative Details

  • The bill includes a clarifying provision that compliance is subject to federal law; state provisions are to be interpreted consistently with federal requirements.
  • The commissioner is empowered to:
    • Provide CMS with necessary notifications/materials,
    • Create implementing regulations,
    • Take additional actions needed to implement the law within federal constraints.

Practical Implications

  • Beneficiaries enrolled in Louisiana Medicare Advantage plans may gain access to integrative care services (e.g., acupuncture, cryotherapy, scalp cooling) when these services are recommended by recognized clinical guidelines and linked to a covered condition.
  • Price-sharing and prior authorization would apply per the individual plan’s terms, consistent with federal rules.
  • The bill aims to expand non-traditional therapies within Medicare Advantage coverage, reflecting broader integration of evidence-based complementary modalities in cancer and other medical care.

If you’d like, I can provide a comparison to current Louisiana law on integrative care coverage or a brief impact assessment for insurers and patients.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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