MEDICAID: Requires the Louisiana Department of Health to increase the reimbursement rates for nonemergency medical transportation providers (EN +$2,601,174 GF EX See Note)

Removed requirements for a new rate methodology for multiple passenger trips and restrictions on transporting patients outside their parish of residence.

Simplified the legislative text to focus solely on enacting a single section regarding Medicaid reimbursement rates for nonemergency medical transportation.

Removed the condition that the law only becomes effective when specific state funding is appropriated.

Removed the provision detailing the exact legal steps for the bill to become effective upon signature or expiration.

Added a requirement for the Department of Health to establish a pricing methodology for nonemergency medical transportation trips that carry multiple passengers.

Modified the legislative intent statement to reflect that the law now covers Sections (C) through (E) of the statute rather than just Section (C).

Added a restriction prohibiting the transport of Medicaid patients to services outside their home parish or contiguous parishes unless medical necessity is determined by a managed care organization or the department.

Explicitly included wheelchair-accessible nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) in the minimum reimbursement rate requirements.

Removed the legislative digest, abstract, and summary of committee amendments, which were informational and not part of the final law.

The effective date of the bill changed from a fixed date (October 1, 2026) to a conditional date tied to the legislature's appropriation of funds.

The deadline for the Department of Health to file a Medicaid state plan amendment changed from October 1, 2026 to 90 days after the bill becomes effective.

A new section was added stating that the bill's provisions become effective only when an Act containing a specific appropriation of monies for implementation is passed.