Skip to Main Content

On Feb. 21, 2024, Change Healthcare experienced a cyber security incident. Any individuals impacted by this incident will receive a letter in the mail. To learn more about this from Change Healthcare, please click here or reach out to the contact center at 1-866-262-5342.

Informational Bulletin 22-15: Urine Drug Testing Policy Update

Date: 05/11/22

On May 10, 2022, the Louisiana Department of Health issued Informational Bulletin 22-15: Urine Drug Testing Policy Update.

This update was made to the Laboratory Services section of the MCO Manual. 

Policy summary:

The MCO shall cover presumptive and definitive urine drug testing under the following parameters: 

  • Presumptive drug testing is limited to 24 total tests per enrollee per calendar year.
  • Definitive drug testing is limited to 12 total tests per enrollee per calendar year. Definitive drug testing is limited to individuals with an unexpected positive or unexpected negative finding on presumptive drug testing or if there is a clinical reason to detect a specific substance or metabolite that would be inadequately detected through presumptive drug testing. 
  • Testing more than 14 definitive drug classes in one test is not reimbursable. 
  • No more than one presumptive test and one definitive test shall be reimbursed per day per enrollee, from the same or different provider. 
  • Universal drug testing (screening) in a primary care setting is not covered. Drug testing without signs or symptoms of substance use or without current controlled substance treatment is not covered.

Louisiana Healthcare Connections is in the process of updating our policy and manual for the effective date of June 16, 2022.