Table of Contents
Online Doctors in Louisiana

TABLE OF CONTENTS

https://www.onlinedoctor.com

I. What Are Louisiana Telemedicine Policies?

Louisiana has parity for telehealth services, which means Medicaid pays providers the same amount for telemedicine services as they do for services provided in person. Private insurers cover telemedicine services delivered via two-way communication tools.

Medicaid Private payers Parity
Reimbursement for: Diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic health conditions, remote patient monitoring, psychotherapy, and medication management; excludes store-and-forward services Reimbursement for: All telehealth services delivered via two-way communication technology (audio and video) Telehealth providers must charge at least 75% of the normal fee for an intermediate office visit.

Parity Laws

Louisiana’s parity law requires doctors, nurses, and other providers to charge at least 75% of the normal fee for an intermediate office visit when they deliver telehealth services to patients with private insurance. Under Louisiana law, Medicaid reimburses health care providers for telemedicine services at the same rate it reimburses providers for services delivered in person.

In 2020, the Louisiana legislature passed SB27, which goes into effect in July 2021. Under SB27, Louisiana will become part of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, making it easier for physicians to practice in multiple states. Once the law goes into effect, physicians from other states will be able to provide telehealth services to patients in Louisiana, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

To be eligible, a physician must be a graduate of an accredited medical school, hold a current specialty certification, and have passed each step of the United States Medical Licensing Examination or equivalent with no more than three attempts on any of the three steps. Physicians who want to deliver telehealth services in Louisiana under the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact must also have no criminal history, no record of disciplinary actions against their medical licenses, and no history of actions related to the misuse of controlled substances.

Louisiana also belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact, which gives nurses in other states the opportunity to provide telehealth services to patients in Louisiana if they meet certain eligibility requirements.

Eligible Health Care Providers

Under Louisiana law, only certain health care professionals qualify to receive Medicaid reimbursement for telehealth services. All providers must be licensed or certified by the state to deliver health care within their scope of practice. The list of eligible providers includes the following:

  • Physicians
  • Physician assistants
  • Medical psychologists
  • Registered nurses
  • Advanced practice registered nurses
  • Social workers
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed professional counselors

Online Prescriptions

Providers are allowed to engage in online prescribing if they establish a physician-patient relationship with each patient. To do this, a provider must verify the patient’s identity, conduct an appropriate examination, discuss the benefits and risks of any treatment options, and make sure the patient has access to appropriate follow-up care. It’s not necessary to perform a physical examination if the physician can obtain enough information via telehealth technology to make a diagnosis.

Back to top

II. Find an Online Doctor in Louisiana

If your current health care provider doesn’t offer telemedicine services, you may want to look for a doctor, physician or nurse practitioner who can manage your medical care via two-way communication technology. Take the following steps to find a telemedicine provider you can trust.

  • Research credentials: The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners website can be used to verify if a physician’s or physician assistant’s license is active. It also has information on disciplinary actions taken against physicians and other health care providers licensed in Louisiana. The Louisiana State Board of Nursing also has an archive of disciplinary actions taken against registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurse licenses dating back to 2010.
  • Determine your cost: If you have Medicaid, your health care providers will be reimbursed the same amount for telehealth services as they would be if you received the services in a hospital or medical office. Since Louisiana law requires providers to charge at least 75% of the normal fee for an intermediate office visit to patients with private health insurance, contact your provider to determine how much you can expect to pay for a telehealth appointment.
  • Read online doctor reviews: Verifying a provider’s license doesn’t tell you anything about their bedside manner or ability to work with patients in different demographic groups. To determine if a provider might be a good fit for your needs, read as many online reviews as possible before scheduling an appointment.
Back to top

III. Research Our Louisiana Telemedicine Sources

Stay informed about Louisiana telehealth regulations by visiting these websites.

Back to top