How to apply for Louisiana Medicaid

Last verified: June 2026

How to apply for Healthy Louisiana

Documents you'll likely need

• Proof of identity — state ID, driver's license, passport, or birth certificate
• Social Security number for each household member applying
• Proof of Louisiana residency — utility bill, lease agreement, or mail at current address
• Income documentation — recent pay stubs (30 days), employer letter, or most recent federal tax return
• Self-employment income — Schedule C and profit/loss statement
• Immigration documents for non-citizen qualified noncitizens
• Pregnancy verification if applying as a pregnant woman
• Disability documentation if applicable (SSA determination, physician statement)

After you apply

Standard Medicaid applications are processed within 45 days. Once approved, you will receive a notice from LDH identifying your eligibility category and your MCO assignment or enrollment instructions.

If you are assigned to a managed care MCO (Aetna Better Health, AmeriHealth Caritas, Healthy Blue, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, or UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), you may be able to choose your plan or change it within 90 days without reason. After that, you can typically switch annually or with qualifying cause.

If you applied through healthcare.gov and were determined eligible for Medicaid, your application is automatically referred to LDH. You do not need to reapply through a separate Louisiana portal.

Applying for long-term care services

If you need nursing facility care or home and community-based waiver services, the financial application goes through DCFS, but a clinical level-of-care assessment is also required. Contact LDH or DCFS to understand the specific steps for long-term care applications in Louisiana. PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) sites are available in some Louisiana parishes for seniors who qualify.

What documents you'll need

Gather these before starting your application. Having them ready prevents delays caused by missing information requests, which can add weeks to the review.

• Proof of identity — driver's license, state ID, passport, or birth certificate
• Proof of residency in Louisiana — utility bill, lease, or official mail with your address
• Social Security numbers for all household members applying
• Proof of income for the past 30 days — pay stubs, employer letter, or benefit award letters
• Tax filing information if self-employed — prior year return is typically acceptable
• Immigration documents if applicable — green card, visa, or I-94 arrival/departure record
• Health insurance information if you currently have coverage through an employer or other source

Not every document is required for every applicant. The application will specify what Louisiana Medicaid needs based on your household composition.

The application process, step by step

1. 1

   Gather your documents

   Collect proof of identity, residency, income, and household composition before you start. Having everything ready means you can complete the application in one sitting.

2. 2

   Submit the application

   Apply through your preferred method — online is fastest. The application asks about income, household size, citizenship status, and whether anyone in the household has other insurance. Answer completely to avoid requests for more information.

3. 3

   Respond to any follow-up requests

   Louisiana Medicaid may request additional documents or clarification. Respond promptly — delays in providing information can pause or restart the review clock.

4. 4

   Receive your eligibility notice

   The agency will send a written notice of approval or denial. If approved, the notice will state your coverage start date and what benefits you're eligible for.

What to expect after you apply

Under 42 CFR 435.912, states must process most Medicaid applications within 45 days of receipt. Applications based on disability take up to 90 days. If Louisiana hasn't issued a decision by those deadlines, the agency must notify you in writing with the reason for delay.

Medicaid coverage typically starts on the first day of the month in which you applied, assuming you're determined eligible. In some cases — particularly for pregnant women — retroactive coverage going back up to three months may apply if you received qualifying medical services during that period.

Keep your contact information updated while your application is pending. A notice sent to an old address counts as received.

If your application is denied

A denial notice must state the specific reason and your right to appeal. You have the right to request a fair hearing — typically within 90 days of the denial notice — where you can present evidence and contest the decision before an impartial hearing officer.

Common denial reasons include income above the limit, failure to verify documents within the required timeframe, or a missing signature. Many denials can be resolved by reapplying with the correct documentation.