This bill amends and reenacts several sections of Louisiana's Revised Statutes related to the Local Healthcare Provider Participation Program. Key changes include the introduction of new definitions for "institutional provider," "rural hospital," and "nongovernmental institutional provider," which clarify the types of hospitals that fall under the program. The bill also modifies the applicability of the program to any parish with at least two institutional providers, rather than limiting it to specific parishes based on population criteria. Additionally, it allows for rural and governmental hospitals to be included in assessment payments if there is a mutual agreement with the parish.

Furthermore, the bill repeals existing provisions related to enhanced reimbursement for rural and governmental institutional providers, streamlining the assessment process for local hospital payments. It establishes that local hospital assessment payments can be assessed quarterly based on any basis permitted by federal law, and it sets guidelines for how these payments should be calculated and used. The bill aims to ensure compliance with federal requirements while providing necessary funding for Medicaid payments and administrative expenses related to the program.

Statutes affected:
HB558 Original: 40:1(3), 40:7(A), 40:8(A)
HB558 Engrossed: 40:1(3), 40:7(A), 40:8(A)
HB558 Reengrossed: 40:1(3), 40:7(A), 40:8(A)
HB558 Enrolled: 40:1(3), 40:7(A), 40:8(A)
HB558 Act : 40:1(3), 40:7(A), 40:8(A)