Doctors’ offices and hospitals will get paid more to treat patients on Medicaid, Louisiana Department of Health officials announced Tuesday.

Officials said higher reimbursement rates will attract more health care providers to serve Medicaid patients and increase patient access to health care.

"Today’s move really creates a space that allows physicians all over the state to be able to take more Medicaid patients in their panel, opening up access for patients," said Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein.

“Better reimbursement rates empower doctors to see more patients and potentially open up more clinics,” he said.

And, improved patient access should lead to more preventative care and better treatment of chronic conditions, Greenstein said.

With the change, Medicai

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