Louisiana's Children's Health Insurance Program: At a Glance


Program Element
Current Program
Proposed Expansion
Implementation Date
n/a
To be determined
Program Type
Medicaid expansion
Separate program
Income Range and Population
Children up to age 19 with family incomes up to 200% of the FPL; called LaCHIP

Does not provide health coverage to immigrants who are not eligible for coverage under Medicaid/SCHIP.


Children up to age 19 with family incomes between 200% and 250% of the FPL (enacted legislation would have covered children with family incomes between 200% and 300% of the FPL but due to the CMS Directive the state scaled back the program)
Cost-Sharing
No cost-sharing provisions
Monthly premiums (proposed $50/family), co-payments, and co-insurance; no co-pays for well-baby, well-child, or vaccinations; exact amounts to be determined, but will be based on family income
Enrollment/Renewal Procedures
Application
Mail-in or web-based application; no face-to-face interview or asset test required
Same application and enrollment process for expansion
Continuous Eligibility
12 months
Same for expansion
Renewal
No face-to-face interview or asset test required; can renew by phone with caseworker or through automated system/web; ex-parte renewal process, utilizing existing data to determine eligibility for another 12 months from date of renewal
Same renewal form and procedures for expansion
Crowd-out Measures
No waiting period
12-month waiting period, unless they qualify for limited "good cause" reasons
Presumptive Eligibility
By spring 2008 for children under 200% of the FPL
Applicable under expansion
Benefits
Benefits
Covers doctor visits, hospital care, immunizations, vision, prescriptions, dental, mental health, and substance abuse
To be determined; legislation states will be "equivalent to the benefits provided for children under the coverage requirements for the federal SCHIP"
Service Delivery System
Most low-income beneficiaries are required to participate in CommunityCARE, where they are linked with a PCP who serves as a medical home
No change
Other Provisions
Outreach
Nine staff members spend 100% of their time on outreach; hundreds of other state eligibility employees undertake ongoing outreach; state contracts with 11 local entities
State may contract with additional local entities to assist with outreach and enrollment
Premium Assistance
Louisiana Health Insurance Premium Payment (LHIPP) will pay for some or all of the health insurance premiums if health insurance is available through their job, someone in the family has Medicaid, and if it is cost effective to the state
Same for expansion

Last Updated: February 2008

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