A.(1) Any health coverage plan delivered or issued for delivery in this state shall include coverage for smoking cessation benefits for a minimum period of six months if a licensed physician recommends and certifies that the smoking cessation benefits may help the person to quit smoking.

            (2) The coverage required in this Section shall not be subject to annual deductibles, coinsurance, copayment, or any other out-of-pocket or cost-sharing expense provisions.

            B. For purposes of this Section, the following definitions apply:

            (1) “Health coverage plan” means any hospital, health, or medical expense insurance policy, hospital or medical service contract, employee welfare benefit plan, contract, or other agreement with a health maintenance organization or a preferred provider organization, health and accident insurance policy, or any other insurance contract of this type in this state, including a group insurance plan, a self-insurance plan, and the Office of Group Benefits programs. “Health coverage plan” shall not include a plan providing coverage for excepted benefits as defined in La. Rev. Stat. 22:1061, limited benefit health insurance plans, and short-term policies that have a term of less than twelve months.

            (2) “Smoking cessation benefits” means smoking cessation treatments and services, including individual counseling, group counseling, nicotine patches, nicotine gum, nicotine lozenges, nicotine nasal spray, nicotine inhaler, bupropion, and varenicline.

            Acts 2023, No. 281, §1.