Overview
STATE BUDGET
The state operates on an annual budget cycle. State agencies submit their budget requests by November 15, and the Governor submits a proposed budget to the state legislature 45 days before the legislature convenes. (Newly elected governors have until 30 days before the legislature convenes.) The legislature typically adopts a budget in June. The fiscal year begins July 1. The passed budget has to be balanced.
STATE LEGISLATURE
The state legislature has 39 Senators, serving four-year terms, and 105 members of the House of Representatives, also serving four-year terms. Term limits were added to the Louisiana Constitution after a 1995 referendum. In even-numbered years, a general session convenes at noon on the second Monday in March for no longer than 60 legislative days during a period of 85 days. In odd-numbered years, a session convenes at noon on the second Monday in April for no longer than 45 legislative days during a period of 60 days. Bills do not carry over from year-to-year.
KEY RESOURCES
2025 LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY
The state enacted HB264, which imposes new regulations for pharmacy benefit managers, including pricing regulations, annual transparency disclosures, implementing appeal processes, plan sponsors, and establishing a Pharmacy Benefit Manager Enforcement Fund.
Louisiana Laws
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 22:1006. Health benefit plans; replacement; continuance of benefits: Health and Accident Insurance; Standards and Contract Requirements in General – Louisiana
Introduced: Status: Enacted
Whenever a contract of one carrier replaces a health benefit plan of similar benefits of another carrier, the prior carrier shall provide a statement of the benefits available, pertinent information, sufficient to permit verification of […]
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La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 22:1006.1. Prior authorization forms required; criteria: Health and Accident Insurance; Standards and Contract Requirements in General – Louisiana
Introduced: Status: Enacted
Statute includes prior authorization requirements for prescription drugs.
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La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 22:1007. Requirements of provider contracts; communications: Health and Accident Insurance; Standards and Contract Requirements in General – Louisiana
Introduced: Status: Enacted
Statute prohibits a managed care organization from including provisions in a contract with a health care provider that interfere with the ability of a health care provider to communicate with a patient regarding his or […]
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La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 22:1008. Health and accident policy provisions; provider contracts; prohibited incentives: Health and Accident Insurance; Standards and Contract Requirements in General – Louisiana
Introduced: Status: Enacted
Statute prohibits a health and accident policy from including provisions which include an incentive or specific payment made directly to a health care provider as an inducement to deny, reduce, limit, or delay medically necessary […]
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La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 22:1013. Local government contributions toward medical savings accounts, health savings accounts, and similar accounts: Health and Accident Insurance; Standards and Contract Requirements in General – Louisiana
Introduced: Status: Enacted
Statute allows governing authority of any parish, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state to establish and contribute funds toward medical savings accounts, health savings accounts and similar accounts authorized by federal law for […]
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