Senator Bill Cassidy’s Surprise Medical Bill legislation which helps patients avoid paying for out-of-network services has gone into effect. Erik Piccioli has more…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”
______________________________________
There’s quite a chill in the air in the Bayou State to keep off the first work week of the new year. Jeff Palermo has the low down on the low temps.
Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
______________________________________
State police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Jackson Parish. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the sheriff’s office received a call Saturday that 63-year-old Michael Dobbins broke into a Chatham residence assaulted one person and then fled the scene. But hours later he was found behind some abandoned cars.
Cut 3 (12) “…at the scene.”
Reichardt says it was a long day for sheriff’s deputies, he says before they received a call that Dobbins was in a residence assaulting one person and threatening to kill another, they believe Dobbins broke into a vehicle and stole a gun.
Cut 4 (08) “…for a little while.”
Reichardt says considering all the incidents Dobbins was allegedly involved in Saturday they are thankful no one else was severely injured in the shootout.
Cut 5 (07) “…was hurt.”
The incident remains under investigation.
__________________________________
Senator Bill Cassidy’s Surprise Medical Bill legislation preventing patients from paying unexpected fees after going to the hospital is now in effect. Cassidy says this is one of the first steps towards getting price transparency but there’s still a lot to be done…
Cut 6 (08) “…that’s never been the case”
The legislation prevents patients from paying out-of-network costs for emergency services and if some of the equipment or personnel is not in your network then the patient must be informed, given an estimate, and allowed to find someone in-network.
Cassidy says he’s heard of insurance companies playing games by not going in-network with doctors knowing it would put the patient at risk for the cost but now patients are no longer at risk…
Cut 7 (07) “…is out of the middle”
If you leave the hospital with a higher bill than anticipated, Cassidy suggests first checking with your insurance company to see what the issue is along with contacting the Louisiana Department of Insurance at 1-800-259-5300. Cassidy says patients have recourse with this new law…
Cut 8 (11) “…to pay more”
______________________________________________________
The Saints still have a shot at making the playoffs even though they’ve scored just one touchdown in the last three games. New Orleans defense produced seven sacks in an 18-10 win over Carolina yesterday. Defensive end Cam Jordan had 3.5 sacks and says holding the Panthers to only 88 yards rushing was also a key…
Cut 9 (10) “…just sacks”
Sunday’s victory gives New Orleans an 8-and-8 record and some of the recent wins have been ugly as a result of an offense missing starters on the o-line. Linebacker Demario Davis says the defense doesn’t have a problem with stepping up its game…
Cut 10 (10) “…that opportunity”
If the Saints beat Atlanta on Sunday and the 49ers lose to the Rams, New Orleans is in the playoffs. Davis is glad the 17th game of the season has meaning…
Cut 11 (11) “…with it”
______________________________________________
Louisianans needed much more than a light jacket as they ventured out into the frozen tundra this morning. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it was quite a contrast to the unseasonably warm temps the Bayou State was experiencing.
Cut 12 (12) “…down to 35″
Keim says we’ll only see highs in the upper 40s today so don’t expect the sun to warm us up too much.
As for Tuesday AM, Keim says it will be much of a repeat of this morning with basically everything north of I-10 waking up to freezing temps.
Cut 13 (10) “….and Thursday. “
With another chilly night on tap, many will be using space heaters to keep warm. State Fire Marshal’s Office Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says keep anything that can catch on fire at least three to five feet away from the heating unit.
Cut 14 (10) “…a chain.”
Rodrigue also reminds you to never use your stove or oven to heat a home because it increases your chances of fire and or carbon monoxide poisoning.