This amendment clarifies that wheelchair-accessible rides get higher pay rates and requires the state to create a new way to calculate costs for trips carrying multiple passengers.
Louisiana2026Enacted
HB1028
Medicaid Nonemergency Transportation Rate Increase
Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 3:26 AM
In one sentence
This law requires the Louisiana Department of Health to set minimum payment rates for companies that transport Medicaid patients, but it only takes effect after funding is approved.
What it does
- Requires rules setting a minimum rate of $14.50 per trip and $2.10 per mile for nonemergency transportation services.
- Includes wheelchair-accessible vehicles in the new reimbursement rates.
- Requires rules to be created for calculating payments when multiple passengers travel in one vehicle.
- Limits trips outside the patient's home parish or neighboring parishes unless medical necessity is confirmed by a managed care organization or the department.
- Mandates that the Department of Health file necessary actions, including a state plan amendment, within 90 days after the law takes effect.
Who it affects
- The Louisiana Department of Health
- Nonemergency medical transportation providers in Louisiana
- Medicaid recipients who need rides to medical appointments
Limits and unknowns
- The law only takes effect after a separate bill provides specific funding for these costs.
- The exact rules for multiple passenger trips have not been written yet and must be created by the Department of Health.
- Trips outside local areas are restricted unless approved as medically necessary.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Reimbursement rate
- The amount of money the government pays a provider for each trip or mile traveled.
- Nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT)
- Rides provided to patients who need help getting to and from doctor visits but do not require an ambulance.
- Parish
- A county or local government area in the state of Louisiana.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
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)
Official activity
Bill history
- Effective date: 06/25/2026.H
- Becomes Act No. 969 without the Governor's signature.H
- Sent to the Governor for executive approval.H
- Signed by the President of the Senate on 6/2/2026.S
- Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.H
- Notice of Senate adoption of Conference Committee Report.H
- Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays.S
- Notice House adopted the Conference Committee Report.S
- Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 74, nays 23. The Conference Committee Report was adopted.H
- Scheduled for floor debate on 06/01/2026.H
- Conference Committee report received. Lies over under the rules.H
- Conference committee report received.S
- Notice of Senate conferees appointed.H
- Notice House Conference Committee members appointed.S
- Senate conference committee members appointed: Carter, Harris, and McMath.S
- House conferees appointed: Lyons, Miller, and LaFleur.H
- Notice House rejected the Senate amendments.S
- Read by title, roll called, yeas 95, nays 0, Senate amendments rejected, conference committee appointment pending.H
- Scheduled for concurrence on 05/29/2026.H
- Received from the Senate with amendments.H
Changes
Amendments
8 stored
Filed 7
This amendment changes when the new Medicaid transportation payment rates start by requiring a separate funding bill to be passed first.
This amendment changes when new Medicaid transportation payment rules start by requiring the state to first approve funding for them.
This amendment expands a bill about Medicaid transportation to include new rules for pricing, travel limits based on medical need, and funding requirements.
This amendment records that the House voted to reject all changes proposed by the Senate for HB 1028.
This amendment updates a Medicaid bill to specifically include wheelchair-accessible transport, create rules for pricing trips with multiple passengers, and limit travel outside the patient's local area unless medically necessary.
This amendment updates a Medicaid bill to specifically include wheelchair-accessible transport, create rules for pricing trips with multiple passengers, and limit travel outside the patient's local area unless medically necessary.