Senate Bill No. 230, introduced by Senator Kleinpeter, aims to establish new regulations regarding the recovery of past medical expenses in Louisiana. The bill enacts R.S. 22:1839, which defines "health insurance coverage" and "usual and customary rate." It stipulates that for claims related to past health care service expenses paid through health insurance, the payment will be limited to the health issuer's liability. Additionally, the recovery of these expenses will be capped at either the amount actually paid to a health care provider or the usual and customary rate, whichever is lesser.

The bill also specifies that these provisions will not apply to certain cases related to medical malpractice and will only have prospective application, meaning they will not affect any causes of action filed before the effective date of January 1, 2026. This legislative change is intended to clarify the limits on health care expense recovery and ensure consistency in how these expenses are handled under Louisiana law.