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Resources for Louisiana Families: 
Addressing Our Biggest Healthcare Challenges

Louisiana is a beautiful state with deep culture, strong communities, and a dedication to family and faith.  Their people exude a spirit of resilience and perseverance that has brought them through many challenges while remaining committed to a healthier and better future for themselves and their neighbors.

 

Accessible health resources remains one of the most challenging aspects families across Louisiana face today.  Medical debt, lack of insurance coverage, limited access to hospitals, and slow emergency response in rural areas are some of the key issues that cause high infant and maternal mortality rates, low life expectancies, and other severe health complications.  

 

Though sometimes hard to find, there are resources available to you if you or a loved one is facing one of these obstacles. We’ve gathered a list of best resources by topic below.

Economic Challenges

How to pay off medical debt in Louisiana?

  • When evaluating your debts, medical debt should be a lower priority and paid only after more urgent debts (mortage, criminal citations, or car loan) are satisfied. Medical debts usually carry low or no interests and no late payment penalties. While credit card debt may show up on your credit report immediately, medical debts generally take approximately 6 months to appear. Also, you are more likely to be sued on credit card debt than medical debt. *Do NOT take out a loan to pay medical debt, otherwise these protections may not apply to you. 

 

  • When paying back medical debt, Louisiana exempts 75% of wages from garnishment. Louisiana also does not allow liens on personal property. The statute of limitations for most Louisiana debts is 10 years, meaning a debt collector cannot take legal action against you regarding that debt. 

 

  • If medical debts appear on your credit report, there are several actions you can take to protect your credit history.

How to get affordable insurance coverage in Louisiana?

  • You have the option of choosing private insurance directly through companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana or through the federally-run Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace. If eligible, you can also enroll for Medicare (typically for individuals 65+) or Medicaid (qualifying will depend on your family size and income). Compare rates from all of these options to determine what is the best coverage for you.

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  • If you are thinking of enrolling in Medicare, the Medicare Rights Center can help you navigate the process.  If you are a senior, Louisiana Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIP) is available to help you navigate the process of enrolling in Medicaid.

How to write a letter to a hospital for financial assistance/charity care?

  • Federal regulations require that nonprofit hospitals provide some level of charity care and other community benefits as a condition of receiving tax-exempt status. Usually, if the patient falls between 100% - 200% of the current Federal Poverty guidelines they will be eligible for the Financial Assistance Program. Check your specific hospital for their charity care guidelines and financial assistance application process.

Challenges for Rural Louisianans

Will insurance cover my ambulance or air ambulance in Louisiana?

  • According to the Louisiana Department of Health, Medicaid covered transportation is available if (A) the beneficiary is enrolled in a Medicaid benefit program that explicitly includes transportation services; and (B) the beneficiary or their representative has stated that they have no other means of transportation.

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  • Starting in 2023, Medicaid will only reimburse for a beneficiary’s transportation services to a Fee-for-Service provider or a managed care provider if that provider has enrolled through the Medicaid Provider Enrollment.

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  • Air ambulances can be used for emergency and non-emergency ambulance services when medically necessary. 

What if I am not a medicaid beneficiary?

  • In Louisiana you qualify for Medicaid if you:  (A) Receive Supplemental Social Security Income or (B) Get financial assistance from the Office of Family Support (OFS) through the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program

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  • To review other criteria for qualifying for Medicaid see Louisiana Department of Health Resources.

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  • There are private ambulance companies in Louisiana that offer transportation for necessary non-emergency transport.  Your insurance carrier will determine whether ambulance transportation meets their criteria. 

How to get to the hospital if I don’t have a car?

  • If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

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  • Louisiana Healthcare Connections supports Medicaid health plans and can help you find the best options.  They offer resources and assistance with transportation needs for these covered services and can help schedule rides for non-emergency medical transportation. All Medicaid beneficiaries, who are eligible for transportation services and DO NOT receive transportation services through a managed care plan, should contact Verida to schedule a ride.

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  • Other insurance carriers like Blue Cross Blue Shield also offer Medical Transportation for non-emergency appointments for policyholders. 

Challenges for Parents

I’m a low-income mom. What kind of assistance is available to me and my child?

  • There are many grants and assistance programs available in Louisiana to support single mothers, especially those who are financially distressed.  These programs range from cash assistance to food and child care support to other tax and health benefits. 

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  • The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services also offers a hotline to link you to basic necessities such as clothing and food as well as other information regarding resources for your family.

How to get to my OB appointment with no car?

  • Louisiana Healthcare Connections supports Medicaid health plans and can help you find the best options.  They offer resources and assistance with transportation needs for these covered services and can help schedule rides for non-emergency medical transportation.   

 

  • Other insurance carriers like Blue Cross Blue Shield also offer Medical Transportation for non-emergency appointments for policyholders.  

What assistance is available for pregnant women in Louisiana?

  • LAMOMS is a program through the Louisiana Department of Health offers no-cost health coverage for any pregnant women, married or single.  The program pays for pregnancy-related services, including doctor visits, lab work, prescription medicines, delivery, and hospital care. It may provide coverage for up to 12 months following the end of your pregnancy. ​​

How do I get childcare for my kids that is safe and affordable?

  • The Louisiana Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is run by the Department of Education. The CCAP supports all families in accessing high quality childcare and provides financial support to low-income families while they are working or attending school. 

How can I get my kids healthy lunches at school?

  • The United States Department of Agriculture, through the federal Child Nutrition Programs, provides financial assistance to lower the cost of serving healthy, nutritious meals and snacks to children and some adults in a variety of settings.

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  • Louisiana Fit Kids is a partnership between the Louisiana Department of Education, Division of Nutrition Support and the Pennington Biomedical Research Center.  This partnership seeks to support the efforts of child nutrition program sponsoring organizations to improve the quality of children’s diets and reduce child food insecurity while maintaining USDA nutrition standards designed to reduce the instance of childhood obesity and health-related concerns.

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