Louisiana House Bill HCR84

Louisiana 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/13/20
• Refer: 5/13/20

Caption

Requests that data on timeliness of provider payments be included in the Healthy Louisiana Claims Report

Impact

If enacted, this resolution would directly influence how Medicaid managed care organizations report their financial interactions with healthcare providers. By insisting on the inclusion of metrics regarding the average and median days-to-payment, HCR84 aims to provide a clearer picture of the financial dynamics affecting healthcare providers who participate in the Medicaid program. This change could ultimately lead to improvements in provider satisfaction and stability within the Medicaid system, thereby benefiting enrollees seeking quality care.

Summary

HCR84 is a House Concurrent Resolution that urges the Louisiana Department of Health to include specific data concerning the timeliness of payments made to healthcare providers in the Healthy Louisiana Claims Report. This resolution emphasizes the importance of timely reimbursements, as delays can lead to provider retention issues in Louisiana's Medicaid program. The Healthy Louisiana program is significant, encompassing around ninety percent of Louisiana's Medicaid enrollees through various managed care organizations (MCOs). The resolution seeks to enhance transparency and accountability within this managed care framework, which utilizes substantial portions of the state budget.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HCR84 appears to be generally supportive among legislative members concerned with healthcare quality and provider retention. Legislative discussions indicated a recognition of the need for greater transparency within the Medicaid program, particularly given that nearly one-third of Louisiana's population relies on Medicaid services. Stakeholders within the healthcare community are likely to view this resolution as a positive step towards accountability and better financial practices.

Contention

While the resolution has garnered support, there may be underlying concerns regarding how the inclusion of such data could impact operational metrics reported by MCOs. There is potential for debate over whether these requirements could lead to increased administrative burdens on organizations or affect their financial assessments. Nonetheless, proponents of HCR84 argue that the benefits of improved transparency and accountability outweigh these challenges.