This bill amends and reenacts several sections of the Louisiana 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 are subject to local hospital assessment payments. The bill also expands 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 modifies the provisions regarding local hospital assessment payments, allowing them to be assessed quarterly based on any basis permitted by federal law, rather than strictly on net patient revenue. It also establishes that the total revenue generated from these assessments cannot exceed six percent of the aggregate net patient revenue of all hospitals in the state. The bill repeals previous provisions related to enhanced reimbursement for rural and governmental institutional providers, streamlining the process and focusing on the financial sustainability of the local provider participation fund. Overall, these changes aim to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Local Healthcare Provider Participation Program in Louisiana.

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)