§1030. Immunizations; coverage

A. Any hospital, health, or medical expense insurance policy, hospital or medical service contract, employee welfare benefit plan, health and accident insurance policy, or any other insurance contract of this type, including a group insurance plan and a self-insurance plan, which is delivered or issued for delivery in this state on or after January 1, 1993, shall include benefits payable for immunizations for dependent children from birth to age six. These benefits shall be payable under the same circumstances and conditions as benefits are paid under those policies, contracts, benefit plans, agreements, or programs for all other diagnoses, treatments, illnesses, or accidents.

B. The immunizations covered shall include the complete basic immunization series for children up to age six as defined by the state health officer and required for school entry.

C. This Section shall apply to any new policy, contract, program, or plan issued on or after January 1, 1993. Any policy, contract, or plan in effect prior to January 1, 1993, shall convert to conform to the provisions of this Section on or before the renewal date thereof but in no event later than January 1, 1994. Any policy affected by this Section shall only be required to provide coverage for children born after August 21, 1992.

D. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to limited benefit health insurance policies or contracts.

E. Any coverage required under the provisions of this Section shall not be subject to any policy or health coverage plan deductible amount. The provision in this Subsection shall apply to any new policy, contract, program, or plan issued on or after January 1, 2005. Any policy, contract, or plan in effect prior to January 1, 2005, shall convert to conform to the provision of this Subsection on or before the renewal date thereof but in no event later than January 1, 2006.

Acts 1992, No. 756, §1; Acts 1993, No. 185, §1; Acts 1995, No. 593, §1; Acts 2001, No. 1178, §2, eff. June 29, 2001; Acts 2004, No. 431, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 22:215.14 by Acts 2008, No. 415, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 919, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.