2013 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 22 - Insurance
RS 22:1006.1 - Prior authorization forms required; criteria

§1006.1. Prior authorization forms required; criteria

A. As used in this Section:

(1) "Health benefit plan", "plan", "benefit", or "health insurance coverage" means services consisting of medical care, provided directly, through insurance or reimbursement, or otherwise, and including items and services paid for as medical care under any hospital or medical service policy or certificate, hospital or medical service plan contract, preferred provider organization, or health maintenance organization contract offered by a health insurance issuer. However, excepted benefits are not included as a "health benefit plan".

(2) "Health insurance issuer" means any entity that offers health insurance coverage through a plan, policy, or certificate of insurance subject to state law that regulates the business of insurance. "Health insurance issuer" shall also include a health maintenance organization, as defined and licensed pursuant to Subpart I of Part I of Chapter 2 of this Title.

(3) "Prior authorization" shall mean a utilization management criterion utilized to seek permission or waiver of a drug to be covered under a health benefit plan that provides prescription drug benefits.

(4) "Prior authorization form" shall mean a standardized, uniform application developed by a health insurance issuer for the purpose of obtaining prior authorization.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, in order to establish uniformity in the submission of prior authorization forms, on and after January 1, 2013, a health insurance issuer shall utilize only a single, standardized prior authorization form for obtaining any prior authorization for prescription drug benefits. The form shall not exceed two pages in length, excluding any instructions or guiding documentation. A health insurance issuer may make the form accessible through multiple computer operating systems. Additionally, the health insurance issuer shall submit its prior authorization forms to the Department of Insurance to be kept on file on or after January 1, 2013. A copy of any subsequent replacements or modifications of a health insurance issuer's prior authorization form shall be filed with the Department of Insurance within fifteen days prior to use or implementation of such replacements or modifications.

Acts 2012, No. 318, §1, eff. May 25, 2012.