Existing state telehealth coverage mandate
The law provides that reimbursement for telehealth shall not be denied for the physician at the originating site and shall not be less than 50% of the normal rate of an in-person office visit. No mention of the distant site physician or inclusion of other health care providers.
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 22:1821(F)
Emergency orders expiration
Proclamation No. 118 JBE 2020 (PDF, 418KB) dated September 10, 2020 renewed the COVID-19 state of emergency and Proclamation No. 94 JBE 2020 through October 9, 2020.
Proclamation No. 111 JBE 2020 (PDF, 983KB) dated August 26, 2020 renewed the COVID-19 state of emergency and Proclamation No. 94 JBE 2020 through September 11, 2020.
Proclamation No. 102 JBE 2020 (PDF, 471KB) dated August 6, 2020 renewed the COVID-19 state of emergency and Proclamation No. 94 JBE 2020 through August 28, 2020.
Proclamation No. 94 JBE 2020 (PDF, 4.12MB) dated July 23, 2020 renewed the COVID-19 state of emergency and Proclamation No. 84 JBE 2020 through August 7, 2020.
Proclamation No. 84 JBE 2020 (PDF, 6.37MB) dated June 25, 2020 renewed the COVID-19 state of emergency and Proclamation No 75 JBE 2020 through July 24, 2020.
Proclamation No. 75 JBE 2020 (PDF, 8.63MB) dated June 4, 2020 renewed the COVID-19 state of emergency and Proclamation No. 59 JBE 2020 through June 26, 2020.
Proclamation No. 59 JBE 2020 (PDF, 669KB) dated May 14, 2020 renewing the COVID-19 state of emergency and extending emergency provisions (including temporary licensure waivers) was extended through June 5, 2020.
State public health emergency declared on March 11, 2020 and set to expire on June 5, 2020.
Department of Insurance Emergency Rule 37 (adopted March 23, 2020) waiving telehealth coverage restrictions and allowing audio-only phone remained in effect until May 12, 2020.
Medicaid policies expanding access to telehealth services remain in effect for duration of public health emergency.
Department of Health order dated March 22, 2020 requiring all health care providers to transition to telehealth for nonemergent care expired on April 30, 2020.
Amended and updated guidance dated April 22, 2020 advised providers to continue telehealth services if possible and to follow CDC guidance for needed in-person services effective April 27, 2020.
Emergency state action on coverage of telehealth services
Department of Insurance’s Emergency Rule 37 (PDF, 5.72MB) temporarily requires all health insurers to waive any coverage limitations restricting telemedicine access to providers included within a plan’s telemedicine network as well as any requirement that the patient and provider have a prior relationship in order to have services delivered through telemedicine.
Specifically, mental health services must be covered to the same extent as in-person services.
This emergency rule is in effect through May 12, 2020.
Executive Order No. JBE 2020-32 (PDF, 177KB) dated March 19, 2020 compels all licensing boards to promulgate any rules necessary to promote and facilitate use of telehealth in delivering health care services.
Louisiana Department of Health’s Health Plan Advisory 20-8 (PDF, 711KB) dated March 25, 2020 instructs Medicaid managed care organizations to cover assessments/evaluations and psychological testing conducted via telehealth based on the clinical judgment of the psychologist or psychiatrist.
Emergency state action on telehealth reimbursement parity
CMS Section 1135 Waiver approved March 23, 2020 allows for reimbursement of payable claims by out-of-state licensed providers not enrolled in the state Medicaid program subject to certain conditions for the duration of the public health emergency.
Emergency state action to include audio-only phone
Emergency Rule 37 (PDF, 5.72MB) temporarily waives any limitation on the use of audio-only phone consultations to provide telemedicine services, including the use of personal devices, as outlined in the guidance from HHS’s Office of Civil Rights.
Medicaid Director issued a provider update (PDF, 337KB) dated March 17, 2020 allowing for the use of audio-only phone to deliver telehealth services when an interactive audio/video system is not available.
Emergency changes in originating sites requirements
Louisiana Department of Health’s Health Plan Advisory 20-8 (PDF, 711KB) dated March 25, 2020 advises that Medicaid has no originating site limitations.
Emergency licensure waiver
Executive Order No. 25 JBE 2020 (PDF, 153KB) dated March 11, 2020 grants authority to Department of Health to take any and all actions during the public health emergency but no mention of emergency licensure waivers for out-of-state providers.
Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists has established an online application process for out-of-state licensed psychologists to apply for emergency temporary registration to provide temporary services, including telepsychology. The Board will waive the requirement that the temporary practice request be associated with an organized relief effort.
Louisiana Department of Health Notice #2020-COVID19-ALL-006 (PDF, 108KB) dated March 21, 2020 requires all health care providers to postpone all in-person services for 30 days and transition to telehealth services where appropriate.
Supervised trainee telehealth services
Telesupervision and Medicaid reimbursement
Telesupervision is permitted after supervisors register with Board of Psychology via the Application for Authorization to Provide Tele-Supervision to Psychology Trainees/Unlicensed Assistants to Psychologists form (PDF, 312KB) and pay a $25 fee per supervisee.