§460.76.2. Medicaid pilot program; portable oxygen concentrator

            A.(1) The legislature finds that Louisiana Medicaid covers portable oxygen concentrators to Medicaid beneficiaries under twenty-one years of age, if deemed medically necessary, through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit. However, for individuals over the age of twenty-one, Medicaid covers portable oxygen concentrators only for travel to medical appointments and treatment.

            (2) The legislature further finds that providing Medicaid coverage for portable oxygen concentrators beyond the limited circumstances in current policy could greatly improve the quality of life for Louisiana residents who require oxygen but are mobile within the home or community.

            B.(1) The Louisiana Department of Health shall establish a pilot program to provide coverage for portable oxygen concentrators in the same manner as stationary oxygen systems if a portable concentrator is prescribed by a licensed physician and the enrollee is mobile within the home or community.

            (2) The Louisiana Department of Health may limit the number of portable oxygen concentrators covered each fiscal year in a manner determined through rules promulgated by the department.

            C. The department shall submit a utilization report to the legislature no later than thirty days prior to the legislative session. The report shall include the number of requests for portable oxygen concentrators, the number of portable concentrators that were covered, the number of requests that were denied, the amount and means of financing of funds utilized to provide coverage, the amount of funds needed to provide coverage for requests that were denied due to lack of funds, and the demographics of enrollees that requested, received, or were denied coverage for portable concentrators.

            Acts 2024, No. 509, §1.