DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of
the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Seabaugh HB No. 773
Abstract: Prohibits an award by the court to the plaintiff of any portion of any medical expense,
bill, or invoice that the plaintiff is not personally obligated to pay to the provider because
it has been reduced or paid by any healthcare insurer, Medicare, Medicaid, other state or
federal agency or program, or by private agreement.
Present law provides that every act whatever of man that causes damage to another obliges him
by whose fault it happened to repair it.
Present law provides that damages may include loss of consortium, service, and society, and also
include any sales taxes paid by the owner on the repair or replacement of the property damaged.
Present law provides that damages do not include costs for future medical treatment, services,
surveillance, or procedures of any kind unless such treatment, services, surveillance, or
procedures are directly related to a manifest physical or mental injury or disease.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that in any action for damages in which a person
suffers injury, death, or loss, the court shall not award to the plaintiff any portion of any medical
expense, bill, or invoice that the plaintiff is not personally obligated to pay to the provider
because it has been reduced or paid by any healthcare insurer, Medicare, Medicaid, other state or
federal agency or program, or by private agreement.
(Adds C.C. Art. 2315(C))