The bill enacts R.S. 22:1047, which mandates health insurance issuers in Louisiana to provide coverage for medically necessary treatments related to severe obesity. This includes coverage for bariatric surgery, pre-operative psychological screening, nutritional counseling, and post-operative follow-up. The bill specifies that individuals must be at least eighteen years old to qualify for bariatric surgery coverage and outlines that health insurance issuers may require prior authorization for covered services. Additionally, it clarifies that coverage does not extend to injectable drugs for glucose levels or weight loss and limits surgical procedures to one per lifetime.

The legislation also requires the Louisiana Department of Health to evaluate various obesity treatment services for inclusion in the Essential Health Benefits Benchmark Plan during its next review. The definitions of "body mass index," "health coverage plan," and "severe obesity" are provided to ensure clarity in the application of the law. The act will apply to new health coverage plans issued on or after January 1, 2025, with existing plans required to conform by their renewal date, but no later than January 1, 2026.