Louisiana Medicaid Office

Louisiana Medicaid office (LDH)

Louisiana Medicaid operates through the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) and delivers most member services through five Healthy Louisiana managed care organizations under contract with the state: Aetna Better Health of Louisiana, AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana, Healthy Blue, Humana Healthy Horizons in Louisiana, and Louisiana Healthcare Connections. The MCOs handle physical health, behavioral health, and pharmacy benefits for most members; a separate contractor handles children's behavioral health through the Coordinated System of Care.

What the managed-care split means for members

When an applicant is approved, LDH assigns or lets the member choose one of the five Healthy Louisiana plans. The plan becomes the member's day-to-day point of contact for finding network providers, scheduling care, and asking questions about coverage. LDH's central Medicaid office handles eligibility, renewals, plan changes, and program-level questions; LDH-contracted dental administrators (DentaQuest and MCNA Dental) handle the dental benefit separately from the medical plan.

Where LDH publishes program information

• LDH headquarters — 628 N. 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Mailing address: P.O. Box 629, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0629. Office hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Central.
• Bureau of Health Services Financing (Medicaid) — ldh.la.gov/medicaid is LDH's Medicaid program index.
• Medicaid Application & Renewal Assistance — LDH lists Medicaid application and renewal help as the top contact topic on the Contact Us form.

Who qualifies for Louisiana Medicaid?

Louisiana adopted Medicaid Expansion under the ACA and made expansion the central path to coverage for working-age adults without dependent children. The categorical paths that Louisiana ran before expansion are still in place for the populations they cover — children, pregnant Louisianians, parents and caretakers, seniors, and people with disabilities — but most working-age adults qualify through expansion.

Medicaid Expansion criteria (adults age 19–64)

LDH lists four criteria for the expansion track:

• Age — must be an adult between the ages of 19 and 64.
• Residency — must live in Louisiana.
• Income — must be below the published income limits for your household size.
• Citizenship or qualifying immigration status — must be a U.S. citizen or meet certain immigration requirements.

Other eligibility pathways

The expansion path doesn't replace Louisiana Medicaid's categorical tracks. Children continue to qualify under LaCHIP at higher income limits than adults; pregnant Louisianians use the LaMOMS Medicaid program; older adults and people with disabilities use the long-standing income-and-asset tracks that include a separate Long-Term Care financial determination for nursing facility, ICF, and home and community-based services applicants.

Coordinated System of Care for children

Children with significant behavioral health needs may qualify for the Coordinated System of Care (CSoC), a home and community-based services waiver administered for LDH by Magellan Health Services of Louisiana. CSoC services are accessed by referral; eligibility runs alongside the standard Medicaid eligibility determination.

Louisiana Medicaid income limits

LDH publishes Louisiana Medicaid income limits in a chart that updates annually with the federal poverty level. The version on this page summarizes what each population is measured against, but does not republish the dollar amounts — these shift every January and Louisiana's chart for the current year is the authoritative figure.

Income standards by population

Medicare Savings Programs

Adults with Medicare may qualify for help with Part A or Part B premiums and cost sharing through the Medicare Savings Programs. LDH processes MSP applications alongside the standard Medicaid application; QMB at 100% FPL pays Part A and B premiums plus Medicare cost sharing, SLMB at 120% pays the Part B premium only, and QI-1 at 135% pays the Part B premium only.

How to apply for Louisiana Medicaid

Louisiana Medicaid accepts applications through several channels. LDH-contracted Medicaid Application Centers — typically hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and similar partners — help applicants who prefer in-person assistance. Applicants can also apply by phone with Medicaid Customer Service or submit a paper application.

Apply channels

• Online — through Louisiana's Medicaid self-service portal, which accepts uploads of supporting documents and lets applicants track their status.
• By phone — Medicaid Customer Service at 1-888-342-6207, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Central.
• By paper — download the Application for Health Coverage from LDH and return it by mail.
• In person — at a Medicaid Application Center (LDH publishes the list on its application centers page) or at an LDH Medicaid regional office.

Federal decision standards

Federal Medicaid rules require states to decide non-disability applications within 45 days and disability-based applications within 90 days. Pregnancy-related determinations move much faster — same-day approval is common at qualified hospitals and clinics with presumptive eligibility.

After approval

New members receive a Louisiana Medicaid card and, if enrolled in a managed care plan, a card from the assigned Healthy Louisiana MCO. Members can change their health or dental plan during the Healthy Louisiana open enrollment period each fall, or at limited times during the year for cause. LDH publishes a separate renewal process — members in renewal-by-mail must return the yellow renewal form by the printed deadline to keep coverage.

What Louisiana Medicaid covers

Louisiana Medicaid's covered services list runs broad and deep. LDH frames it as covering "many of the same things that private health insurance programs traditionally cover" plus services that help fill gaps in Medicare and meet long-term care needs. Most services are delivered through the member's Healthy Louisiana plan; the dental benefit and certain specialty programs run through separate administrators.

How care is delivered

• Physical and behavioral health (adults) — through one of five Healthy Louisiana managed care organizations: Aetna Better Health of Louisiana, AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana, Healthy Blue, Humana Healthy Horizons in Louisiana, and Louisiana Healthcare Connections.
• Dental for adults and children — administered by DentaQuest and MCNA Dental. Members contact their assigned dental plan to find a network provider.
• Coordinated System of Care (CSoC) for children — children's behavioral health home and community-based services waiver, administered by Magellan Health Services of Louisiana.
• Non-Emergency Medical Transportation — every Healthy Louisiana MCO uses MediTrans as its NEMT subcontractor; members call their plan's MediTrans line to schedule rides.

Specific benefits LDH calls out

• Adult denture services — examination, x-rays (only with denture construction), dentures, relines, and repairs. One complete or partial denture per arch in an eight-year period; partial denture must oppose a full denture.
• Applied Behavior Analysis — for members from birth up to age 21 with a qualifying condition, on prescription from a qualified health care professional. Prior authorization required.
• Early Steps — early intervention services for young children with developmental delays or disabilities.
• Pharmacy — prescription drug coverage with a 4-per-calendar-month limit that physicians can override when medically necessary. Limits do not apply to recipients under 21, pregnant Louisianians, or members in long-term care.

Long-term services and supports

• Louisiana Options in Long-Term Care — operated by Conduent for LDH (1-877-456-1146). Serves Medicaid recipients who meet nursing facility level of care as determined by OAAS.
• Community Choices Waiver — home and community-based services for older adults and adults with physical disabilities; uses the Request for Services Registry, operated by Louisiana Options in Long Term Care.
• Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) waivers — including the New Opportunities Waiver, the Children's Choice Waiver, the Residential Options Waiver, and the Supports Services Waiver for adults 21+ with developmental disabilities.
• Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) — for residents age 55+ in a PACE provider service area who meet nursing facility level of care and are financially eligible for Medicaid long-term care. PACE participants get all Medicaid and Medicare services through one program.

Children under 21: EPSDT

Federal Medicaid law requires every state to cover Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment services for enrolled children under 21. EPSDT covers any medically necessary service for a child — including services that adult Louisiana Medicaid does not always cover — and it applies to Louisiana Medicaid the same way it applies in every other state's Medicaid program.

Other state Medicaid pages