House Bill No. 34 aims to enhance transparency in the recovery of medical expenses within Louisiana's civil law framework. The bill amends existing law by redefining key terms related to medical expenses, such as replacing the definition of "contracted medical provider" and "cost of procurement" with a new definition for "cost sharing." It also repeals previous provisions that limited the admissibility of evidence regarding medical expenses in court, allowing parties to present both the amount billed and the amount paid to establish the basis for medical expense awards. Additionally, agreements between healthcare providers and third parties regarding payment will now be admissible as evidence.

The bill further clarifies that a claimant's recovery of medical expenses will be limited to the actual amounts paid by Medicaid or other health insurance issuers, and it removes previous limitations on recoverable past medical expenses. The provisions of this act will take effect on January 1, 2026, and will apply prospectively, meaning they will not affect any causes of action filed before this date. Overall, the bill seeks to create a more equitable and transparent process for determining recoverable medical expenses in civil cases.

Statutes affected:
HB34 Original:
HB34 Engrossed: 9:27(A), 9:27(E)