Medicaid Unwinding in Louisiana: What You Need to Know If You Lose Coverage
Key takeaways:
Medicaid renewals in Louisiana are changing because of the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023. This is being called the unwinding of Medicaid, and some people will lose coverage during this process.
During the PHE, Medicaid renewals were automatic, and enrollees had continuous coverage. As part of the unwinding process, automatic renewals for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) stopped nationwide on March 31, 2023.
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has started eligibility reviews for Medicaid, Healthy Louisiana, and LaCHIP enrollees. If you are covered by one of these plans, make sure the LDH has your current contact information. If you can’t be reached or are no longer eligible, you could lose coverage as early as July 1, 2023.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 in January 2020. The PHE was renewed a dozen times between January 2020 and February 2023.
People who qualified for Medicaid during the COVID PHE were able to keep their coverage throughout the pandemic without having their eligibility reviewed. This is because all states, including Louisiana, were required to provide continuous coverage during the PHE.
But the PHE ended in May 2023. And that marked the conclusion of most COVID provisions, like automatic Medicaid renewals, which stopped nationwide in March. Over the next year, these changes could cause 8 million to 24 million Medicaid enrollees across the country to lose coverage.
Prescription Savings Are Just the Beginning
See what other benefits you qualify for—from cashback cards to cheaper insurance.
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has resumed eligibility reviews for the 2 million people enrolled in Louisiana Medicaid programs, which include:
LaCHIP, the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Healthy Louisiana, the state’s Medicaid expansion program
Some enrollees who no longer qualify could lose their coverage as early as July 1, 2023. And LDH officials estimate that 222,400 people in the state could lose Medicaid or LaCHIP coverage during the yearlong redetermination process.
Here’s what you need to know about Medicaid changes in Louisiana, and what to do if you lose your insurance coverage.
Why is Medicaid changing nationwide?
Now that the PHE has come to an end, COVID will remain a public health priority — just not an emergency. As part of this process, Medicaid renewals are no longer automatic. This is being referred to as the unwinding of Medicaid.
The unwinding will affect Medicaid programs in every state, Washington, D.C., and five U.S. territories.
Read more like this
Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.
What’s happening with Medicaid renewal in Louisiana?
As mentioned, the LDH is responsible for overseeing Louisiana's Medicaid programs. The LDH has an unwinding plan that outlines how the state plans to conduct eligibility reviews for people currently enrolled in these programs: Louisiana Medicaid, LaCHIP, and Healthy Louisiana.
If you or someone in your household is covered under one of these plans, it’s important for the LDH to have your current mailing address, email address, phone number, and cell phone number. You can confirm or update your information by:
Logging into your account on the LDH self-service portal
Calling the Louisiana Medicaid customer service center at 1-888-342-6207
Emailing MyMedicaid@la.gov
Calling your health plan via the phone number on your ID card
Visiting your regional Medicaid office
If you are signed up for phone and digital alerts, you may receive a recorded call from 1-888-342-6207 or a text message from 72147 reminding you to update your contact information. If you are signed up for these alerts, you should still receive notices by mail.
On the other hand, no one from Louisiana Medicaid should ever call and ask you for money, your bank information, or your credit card number. The LDH has warned enrollees that these requests are forms of renewal scams.
What to expect during the renewal process
The LDH began Louisiana's redetermination process in April 2023 and will continue for the next 12 months. The state already has enough eligibility information from other programs to renew some enrollees automatically. If more information is needed to evaluate your eligibility, your household will receive a renewal packet. So it’s important to check your mail and respond to information requests from the LDH.
If you receive a renewal packet in the mail from Louisiana Medicaid, follow the instructions and submit your completed packet by the due date. You can submit requested information by:
Calling the Louisiana Medicaid customer service center at 1-888-342-6207
Mailing your forms and documentation to the address indicated on the renewal packet
Logging into your account on the LDH self-service portal
Visiting your regional Medicaid office
You can also upload documents online. If you need help, you can call the Louisiana Medicaid customer service center at 1-888-342-6207.
Tribal health and Medicaid unwinding
The National Indian Health Board estimates that as many as 236,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives could lose coverage during the unwinding process. As a result, Louisiana state liaisons are reaching out to Medicaid enrollees who are members of or affiliated with Native American tribes.
What should I do if I lose my Medicaid coverage in Louisiana?
In order to receive Medicaid in Louisiana, you must meet all of the following criteria:
You must be a Louisiana resident.
You must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or legal resident.
You must need assistance with access to healthcare or insurance coverage.
Your annual household income before taxes are withheld must be below the limit for your household size.
In Louisiana, you may also qualify for reasons other than income, including if you are:
Pregnant
A child or teenager
Responsible for the care of a child who is 18 years old or younger
A woman of child-bearing age, don’t have health coverage, and meet certain criteria (such as having family planning needs)
Blind or have another disability
A household member of someone who has a qualifying disability
Age 65 or older (and meet certain criteria)
A former foster child who is 25 or younger
In need of nursing home care
In need of treatment for breast or cervical cancer (and have been diagnosed or are still undergoing treatment)
If you no longer qualify or the LDH can’t reach you during the redetermination process, you will lose your Medicaid benefits, which could leave you temporarily uninsured. You should appeal the decision or reapply for Medicaid if you lose coverage and believe you still qualify. Just keep in mind that you may be without insurance while you wait to be approved.
If you choose not to reapply for Medicaid coverage, or if you’re no longer eligible, you may qualify for other low-cost or free healthcare options. You can also use GoodRx coupons to save on your prescription medications whether or not you have insurance.
In addition, you may be able to enroll in an alternative health insurance plan such as:
Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plan: You may be able to find an ACA health plan for $10 or less per month if you qualify for a premium subsidy. If you lose Medicaid coverage during the redetermination process, you can purchase a plan through the ACA marketplace during the unwinding special enrollment period from March 31, 2023 to July 31, 2024.
Employer plan: If you have a job, you may be able to get employer-sponsored health insurance.
Medicare: If you have a qualifying disability or condition — such as end-stage renal disease or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease — you can enroll in Medicare at any age.
Partner’s plan: If you have a spouse or domestic partner who has insurance, you may be able to join their plan during an open enrollment or special enrollment period.
Special plans: Short-term insurance can be a great choice if you anticipate that a better option, like job-based health insurance, will be available soon. You may also consider alternative and limited-benefit plans, such as fixed indemnity, accident, cost-sharing, and catastrophic insurance plans.
Student health plan: If you’re enrolled in a college or university, you may be eligible for a campus health plan.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits: If you are an active-duty service member or a veteran, you may qualify for TRICARE coverage or VA benefits and services.
Louisiana Medicaid resources
Here are some resources where you can learn more about Medicaid in Louisiana and upcoming changes related to the end of the PHE:
Louisiana Medicaid office: The LDH oversees and administers the state’s Medicaid programs.
Louisiana Medicaid self-service portal: You can access your account 24/7 through the LDH self-service portal to confirm or update your contact information.
Louisiana Medicaid renewals resuming: Read more about Louisiana’s Medicaid unwinding plan.
Louisiana Medicaid office phone assistance: You can call the Louisiana Medicaid customer service center at 1-888-342-6207.
The bottom line
Automatic Medicaid renewals stopped on March 31, 2023, in advance of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) coming to an end on May 11.
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) began reviewing the eligibility of Medicaid enrollees in April 2023 and sent its first group of renewal letters in May. If you or a household member is covered under one of the state’s Medicaid programs, it’s important for the LDH to have your current contact information. This will ensure you receive notices in the mail, as well as renewal reminders by phone and text.
If you receive a renewal packet from the LDH, complete and return it by the deadline. If you don’t respond or no longer qualify, you will lose your Medicaid benefits.
If you do lose Medicaid coverage, you may still be able to get health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, your job, or Medicare.
Why trust our experts?
References
Administration for Strategic Preparedness & Response. (2020). Determination that a public health emergency exists.
Administration for Strategic Preparedness & Response. (2023). Renewal of determination that a public health emergency exists.
Benefits.gov. (n.d.). Louisiana Medicaid program.
Farris, M. (2023). How to re-enroll with Louisiana Medicaid now that COVID-19 emergency is over. 4WWL.
Louisiana Department of Health. (n.d.). About Medicaid.
Louisiana Department of Health. (n.d.). Healthy Louisiana.
Louisiana Department of Health. (n.d.). Medicaid resources.
Louisiana Department of Health. (2023). Ending Medicaid continuous coverage: An explanation of upcoming changes.
Louisiana Department of Health. (2023). Medicaid is now texting members.
Louisiana Department of Health. (2023). Medicaid to call members.
Louisiana Department of Health. (2023). Members: Help protect yourself and your family from Medicaid unwind scams.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Unwinding and returning to regular operations after COVID-19.
O’Donoghue, J. (2023). Louisiana health department has new estimate for Medicaid enrollment drop. Louisiana Illuminator.
Tolbert, J., et al. (2023). 10 things to know about the unwinding of the Medicaid continuous enrollment provision. Kaiser Family Foundation.
Tribal Health Reform Resource Center. (n.d.) Medicaid unwinding. National Indian Health Board.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022). VA & TRICARE information.
