|
August 20, 2026
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has announced new rate increases for some Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).
The new rates will begin October 1, 2026.
The increases are based on the 2025 HCBS Rate Study, funding approved by the Louisiana Legislature, and feedback from stakeholders.
What is changing?
LDH plans to increase rates by about 3% for the HCBS services included in the rate study.
LDH will also increase the Direct Support Professional (DSP) wage floor by 3%, to $9.27 per hour.
The wage floor is the minimum amount providers must pay DSPs for certain HCBS services.
Why did LDH choose this plan?
LDH held a Rate Study Mini-Summit on July 17 and also asked stakeholders to complete a survey.
LDH says most people who responded supported Option 1, which called for an increase of about 3% across the affected services.
What happens next?
LDH will update the Medicaid rate sheets and share them before the new rates take effect on October 1.
The Council would like to thank everyone who advocated during the legislative session for the funding needed to address HCBS rates and DSP pay.
We would also like to thank everyone who attended the mini-summit in July and shared their thoughts on how LDH should use the funding provided by the Legislature.
The Council will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.
Questions?
If you have questions, please contact the OIDD Provider Relations Manager, Kim Kennedy, at Kim.Kennedy@la.gov.
| 
