Bill > SB231

This bill amends Louisiana law regarding how medical expenses can be recovered in civil lawsuits, establishing clear guidelines for calculating and presenting medical expenses during legal proceedings. The legislation defines key terms like "contracted medical provider" and "cost sharing" and specifies that in cases involving health insurance or Medicare, plaintiffs can only recover the actual amount paid by the insurance provider, not the original amount billed. The bill introduces new provisions that require trials to inform the jury of both the billed and paid amounts for medical expenses, and it addresses situations where attorneys have pre-negotiated reduced medical charges with providers. Importantly, the bill limits recoverable medical expenses to actual paid amounts from various sources like health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and workers' compensation, and prevents juries from being informed about insurance payments during the initial trial phase. The law will apply only to causes of action filed on or after January 1, 2026, ensuring prospective application of these new rules. The changes aim to provide more transparency and fairness in how medical expenses are calculated and presented in civil litigation.

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https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=25rs&b=SB231&sbi=y