§998. Hospital and medical expense policies; services of licensed psychologists

            A. Whenever any hospital or medical expense policy or hospital or medical service contract issued, or issued for delivery in this state provides for the reimbursement of health related services that can lawfully be performed by a duly licensed psychologist as regulated under the provisions of R.S. 37:2351-2368 or by a duly licensed medical psychologist as regulated under the provisions of R.S. 37:1360.51et seq., the insured or other person entitled to benefits under such contract shall be entitled to reimbursements for such services performed by a duly licensed psychologist notwithstanding any provisions of the contract to the contrary.

            B. The provisions of Subsection A of this Section shall apply only to those insurance policy contracts issued or issued for delivery after the effective date of this Section.

            C. The provisions of this Section shall apply only to those services which a duly licensed psychologist is authorized to perform under the provisions of Chapter 28 of Title 37 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, or a duly licensed medical psychologist is authorized to perform under the provisions of Chapter 15 of Title 37 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.

            D. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to mandate or require an insurance company to include mental health services in a contract, or to expand the scope or nature of benefits provided, when such benefits are included in a contract.

            Added by Acts 1974, No. 481, §§1 to 3; Redesignated from R.S. 22:665 by Acts 2008, No. 415, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 251, §5, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2021, No. 238, §2.