Beginning June 1, 2016, Louisiana residents with a household income below 138 percent of the federal poverty level will be eligible to obtain healthcare coverage through the state’s Medicaid program. On January 12, 2016, Gov. John Bel Edwards signed an executive order to expand the Medicaid program, making Louisiana the 31st state to extend Medicaid.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services also approved a new approach to Medicaid enrollment that will allow Louisiana to use information from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to determine eligibility and enroll individuals in Medicaid. Louisiana is the first state to be approved to use this enrollment strategy through the use of a state plan amendment.
Quick Facts:
- Enrollment began on June 1
- Coverage will be effective July 1
- The State of Louisiana estimates that 375,000 new adults will enroll in coverage, with about 105,000 people already enrolled in SNAP identified as likely eligible for coverage.
- Through 2016, the coverage for newly enrolled adults of up to 138% of the federal poverty line is completely funded with federal money. However, federal funding rates will decline beginning in 2017 (Federal funding rates will not fall below 90% of costs). [1]
[1] U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell Applauds Louisiana Medicaid Expansion Under the Affordable Care Act, (May 31, 2016).
Written by: Catherine Moore
bswhealthlaw.com 