The state of Louisiana offers Medicaid benefits to provide low cost or free medical care to resident who qualify. While regular Medicaid originally covered select groups of residents, more recent programs provide for additional classes of people to receive free health care with fewer income restrictions. In order to qualify, residents must be a member of a certain group and meet income guidelines.
Children
The Louisiana Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides Medicaid coverage to children under the age of 19 if their parents have a family income within 200 to 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Regular Medicaid provides health insurance for families with income at the poverty level. Parents, who have under-insured or disabled children and do not qualify under regular Medicaid or CHIP due to too much income, can qualify for partial medical coverage under the Family Opportunity Act.
Women
The LaMOMs program provides no cost health insurance to pregnant women in the state of Louisiana. As a division of the Medicaid program, all pregnant women qualify regardless of income or assets. The Take Charge program provides family-planning services for women between the ages of 19 and 44, which includes gynecological exams, physical exams and birth control. The Louisiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program provides Medicaid coverage to women diagnosed with cervical or breast cancer.
Disabled
Persons who are blind or disabled automatically qualify for Louisiana Medicaid under the general program if they receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the federal government. Workers with disabilities may qualify for partial coverage of health-care premiums through the Medicaid Purchase plan.
Elderly
Persons over the age of 65, who do not receive full medical coverage through Medicaid, can obtain medical coverage through the regular Louisiana Medicaid program, as long as their income does not exceed poverty levels. Senior citizens who require long-term hospitalization or nursing home care qualify under the Louisiana Medicaid long-term care program if they lack the funds to pay for care.
Application
According to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), residents must submit an application before consideration for Medicaid benefits. They may fill out a regular Medicaid application or a unique application if they intend to apply for LaCHIP, Take Charge or Long Term Care. Residents submit this application to their local branch of the DHH. After the application process, residents receive benefits within 90 days if they meet the qualifications of the program. For a case worker to determine eligibility, state of Louisiana residents may have to undergo an interview or submit additional documentation proving their income.
Tags: Louisiana Medicaid, medical coverage, regular Medicaid, state Louisiana, coverage through, health insurance, Medicaid benefits
