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 proposed law will take effect on January 1, 2026, and will apply prospectively, meaning it will not affect any causes of action filed before this date. Notably, the bill eliminates the exception for cases brought under the Louisiana Medical Malpractice Act, thereby standardizing the rules for medical expense recovery across different types of claims.

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