Louisiana approves Medicaid contracts. They are the most expensive contracts in the state’s history.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Louisiana lawmakers approve one-year extensions to $17B Medicaid contracts with six managed care companies.

State boosts provider reimbursement rates to expand access to hospitals and doctors.

Lawmakers criticize gaps in provider listings and unreliable medical transportation services.

New oversight measures include withholding 3% of contract payments pending year-end performance review.

Louisiana lawmakers signed off last week on one-year extensions to the state’s six biggest government contracts, collectively worth more than $17 billion. The agreements are with the six health care companies that manage health insurance for Louisiana Medicaid recipients.

“These are the largest contracts that the state of Louisiana has in history,” state health secretary Bruce G