Effective January 1, 2014, Louisiana implemented a Presumptive Eligibility program, which allows qualified hospitals to be designated as entities qualified to make presumptive Medicaid eligibility determinations based on primary, self-attested information obtained from individuals seeking medical assistance. Once a hospital determines the presumptive eligibility of a patient, the hospital is guaranteed payment for services that are covered by the state Medicaid plan during a temporary period. If the patient turns out not to be eligible for Medicaid, there is no recoupment of the payments. The program is monitored and executed by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (“DHH”), which is the designated State Medicaid agency.

Written by: Danielle L. Borel