Louisiana Medicaid

Updated August 2026

Healthy Louisiana is Louisiana's Medicaid program. The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) administers the program through its Bureau of Health Services Financing (BHSF). Louisiana expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act effective July 1, 2016 — one of the last states to do so during the initial expansion wave — under Governor John Bel Edwards. As of 2025, approximately 2 million Louisianans are enrolled in Healthy Louisiana, representing roughly 43% of the state's population and one of the highest Medicaid enrollment rates per capita in the country.

Federal Medicaid changes are being tracked by Louisiana Department of Health in 2025 and 2026

H.R. 1 (signed July 4, 2025) introduced new federal Medicaid requirements. Starting January 1, 2027, some Healthy Louisiana members ages 19-64 may need to meet new work requirements to keep coverage. Louisiana Department of Health is monitoring implementation and communicating impacts to Healthy Louisiana members. Visit ldh.la.gov/medicaid for updates from the Bureau of Health Services Financing.

What is Healthy Louisiana?

Healthy Louisiana operates through managed care. Five MCOs deliver services to enrolled members: Aetna Better Health of Louisiana, AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana, Healthy Blue Louisiana (BlueCross BlueShield), Louisiana Healthcare Connections (Centene), and Humana Healthy Horizons in Louisiana. Members choose or are assigned to one MCO, which then coordinates all covered health services. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan's contract with LDH was not renewed; UnitedHealthcare members were moved to a new health plan effective April 1, 2026.

Because Louisiana expanded Medicaid, coverage is available to most adults ages 19 through 64 with household income at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level — regardless of disability status, dependent children, or employment.

Who qualifies for Healthy Louisiana?

Louisiana's expansion is the key difference from pre-2016: a single adult who works part-time and earns under 138% FPL now qualifies for full Medicaid coverage. Before expansion, that adult would have received nothing.

Adults ages 19–64 with household income at or below 138% FPL (ACA expansion)
Children under 19 through LaCHIP — income limit up to 212% FPL
Pregnant women — up to 214% FPL; coverage continues for 12 months postpartum
People age 65 and older — income and asset limits linked to SSI standards
People who are blind or have a qualifying disability
Former foster care youth up to age 26 — no income limit

Healthy Louisiana managed care: choosing your MCO

Most Healthy Louisiana members are enrolled in one of the five MCOs. Your MCO provides covered medical services, maintains a provider network, and coordinates care. You can generally switch MCOs once per year during an open enrollment period, or at any time if you have a qualifying reason (such as moving to a new area or your provider leaving your MCO's network).

If you do not choose an MCO at enrollment, LDH will auto-assign you to one. You can change your MCO assignment within the first 90 days without reason. Contact the Healthy Louisiana program at 1-855-229-6848 or visit benefitsgateway.org for help comparing plans.

What Healthy Louisiana covers

Healthy Louisiana covers the full range of Medicaid state plan services: physician visits, hospital care, prescriptions, behavioral health, long-term services and supports, dental care (delivered through MCOs), vision care, and federally required EPSDT services for members under 21. The exact benefit details are administered through your MCO — check your plan's evidence of coverage or call member services for specifics on prior authorization requirements.