Louisiana Medicaid

Last verified: June 2026

What is Healthy Louisiana?

Healthy Louisiana is Louisiana's Medicaid program. The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) administers the program through its Bureau of Health Services Financing (BHSF). Louisiana expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act effective July 1, 2016 — one of the last states to do so during the initial expansion wave — under Governor John Bel Edwards. As of 2025, approximately 2 million Louisianans are enrolled in Healthy Louisiana, representing roughly 43% of the state's population and one of the highest Medicaid enrollment rates per capita in the country.

Healthy Louisiana operates through managed care. Five MCOs deliver services to enrolled members: Aetna Better Health of Louisiana, AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana, Healthy Blue Louisiana (BlueCross BlueShield), Louisiana Healthcare Connections (Centene), and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. Members choose or are assigned to one MCO, which then coordinates all covered health services.

Because Louisiana expanded Medicaid, coverage is available to most adults ages 19 through 64 with household income at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level — regardless of disability status, dependent children, or employment.

Who qualifies for Healthy Louisiana?

• Adults ages 19–64 with household income at or below 138% FPL (ACA expansion)
• Children under 19 through LaCHIP — income limit up to 212% FPL
• Pregnant women — up to 214% FPL; coverage continues for 12 months postpartum
• People age 65 and older — income and asset limits linked to SSI standards
• People who are blind or have a qualifying disability
• Former foster care youth up to age 26 — no income limit

Louisiana's expansion is the key difference from pre-2016: a single adult who works part-time and earns under 138% FPL now qualifies for full Medicaid coverage. Before expansion, that adult would have received nothing.

Healthy Louisiana managed care: choosing your MCO

Most Healthy Louisiana members are enrolled in one of the five MCOs. Your MCO provides covered medical services, maintains a provider network, and coordinates care. You can generally switch MCOs once per year during an open enrollment period, or at any time if you have a qualifying reason (such as moving to a new area or your provider leaving your MCO's network).

If you do not choose an MCO at enrollment, LDH will auto-assign you to one. You can change your MCO assignment within the first 90 days without reason. Contact the Healthy Louisiana program at 1-855-229-6848 or visit benefitsgateway.org for help comparing plans.

What Healthy Louisiana covers

Healthy Louisiana covers the full range of Medicaid state plan services: physician visits, hospital care, prescriptions, behavioral health, long-term services and supports, dental care (delivered through MCOs), vision care, and federally required EPSDT services for members under 21. The exact benefit details are administered through your MCO — check your plan's evidence of coverage or call member services for specifics on prior authorization requirements.

Louisiana Medicaid topics

What does Louisiana Medicaid cover?

Medicaid covers a broad range of health services. Federal law mandates certain benefits — inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician services, lab work, X-rays, and nursing facility services, among others. States add optional services on top of those. Dental, vision, and long-term home care coverage vary by state.

The national benefits overview lists required and commonly optional services. Check the Louisiana Medicaid website for the current state-specific benefit package.

How to apply

Most people can apply online through Louisiana's Medicaid portal, by phone, or in person at a local eligibility office. The how to apply page walks through each method, what documents you'll need, and what to expect during the review period.

Under 42 CFR 435.912, states must process most standard Medicaid applications within 45 days (90 days for disability-based applications). Louisiana must follow that federal timeline.