Medicaid is a government health insurance program that helps people with low income get health care services at a lower cost. There are several different Medicaid programs in Louisiana, each serving a different group of people. The program for people who are older (age 65+), blind, or living with a disability is called the Aged, Blind, and Disabled Medicaid (ABD) Medicaid Program.

What does Louisiana ABD Medicaid cover?

Louisiana Medicaid pays for routine and acute health care services. This includes:

• Visits to health care providers (including physicians and nurse practitioners)
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
• Early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services
• Preventive care (e.g., vaccinations)
• Lab tests and X-rays
• Dialysis services
• Mental health services
• Substance use treatment
• Rural health clinic services
• Medical transportation
• Long-term care (e.g., nursing facility care, home health services)

Most states also cover optional services such as:

• Physical, respiratory, and occupational therapy
• Home- and community-based care
• Case management
• Prescription drugs
• Dental and vision care

Since the program serves those with limited income and resources, people with Louisiana ABD Medicaid pay few to no out-of-pocket costs. To get coverage once you are enrolled, you must go to health care providers that take part in the Medicaid program.

In Louisiana, Medicaid is administered by the Louisiana Department of Health. Call the Medicaid Hotline at 1-888-342-6207 to learn more about the coverages provided.

How do I know if I qualify for Louisiana ABD Medicaid?

ABD Medicaid covers people who are age 65+, blind, or living with a disability who also have limited income and resources. In general, to be eligible, you must:

• Be a Louisiana resident
• Be a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen
• Meet the income and (if applicable) resource limits for your coverage group

Also, if you receive or qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you are automatically enrolled in Medicaid.

If you need help with your health care coverage and costs, you should apply for Medicaid even if you think you are over the income limit. This is because:

• Not all types of income are counted toward the income limit.
• You may qualify for a different form of health care assistance.
• If you are over the income limit, but you have very high medical costs, you may be able to qualify for Medicaid through the Spend-Down Program.

What is the Medicaid Spend-Down Program?

The Spend-Down Program, also called the Medically Needy Program, lets you get Medicaid benefits even if your income is higher than program guidelines. It works by letting you spend down your income so that you meet Medicaid’s income limits. The spend-down amount is the amount of income that is over the Medicaid limit. This amount is different for each person.

To get Medicaid benefits, you must submit current paid or unpaid medical bills equal to or greater than your monthly spend-down amount. Once your medical bills reach this amount, you will get Medicaid coverage for the rest of the calendar month. While using Medicaid to pay for your medical expenses, you should use a health care provider who takes part in Medicaid.

Some examples of medical expenses you can use to spend down your income include:

• Unpaid medical bills (that have not been used to spend down your income before)
• Health insurance premiums
• Medical bills you paid within the last three months
• Medical bills that will not be paid by health insurance (or any other source)
• Co-pays for medical bills
• Medical services prescribed by your doctor
• Transportation by ambulance, bus, or taxi to get health care services

How do Medicare and Medicaid work together?

Medicaid pays for some services not covered by Medicare. If you get Medicare, you may also be able to get help from Louisiana ABD Medicaid. Millions of Americans have both Medicare and Medicaid coverage. This is called being "dual eligible."

If you have Medicare and qualify for full ABD Medicaid coverage, the state will pay your Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) monthly premiums. Depending on the level of Medicaid you qualify for, the state might also pay for:

• Your share of Medicare costs, like deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments
• Part A (Hospital Insurance) premiums, if you have to pay a premium for that coverage

If you have both Medicare and Medicaid in Louisiana, you should show both cards to your health care provider each time you receive services. In addition, if you are dual-eligible for Medicare and Medicaid:

• You will automatically be signed up for the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS)/Extra Help program through Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage). This program helps people with low income pay for their medicines.
• You can get your coverage through a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan (SNP) instead of having original Medicare with separate Medicaid coverage. This plan can help you manage the health care services you need. SNPs may also offer more benefits than what you already get from original Medicare. In some cases, you may have no monthly premiums and/or you may pay lower co-payments. All SNP plans are different, so check with the plans to see what they cover and if you can enroll.

Note: SNPs are not available in every community. To find out if there is an SNP in your area, visit the Medicare website or call 1-800-633-4227 or 1-877-486-2048 (TTY).

What if I am under age 65 and need health insurance?

If you are under age 65 with limited income, you may qualify for Healthy Louisiana, a Medicaid expansion program. Healthy Louisiana provides low-cost health insurance for people who cannot get coverage through regular Medicaid or private insurance. You may be able to get help from this program if:

• You are between 19 and 64 years of age.
• You are a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
• You live in Louisiana.
• You have limited income.
• You have no health insurance coverage.

To apply for Healthy Louisiana, print and fill out the application form and mail it to your local Medicaid office. You can also apply online through the LA Medicaid self-service portal. To see if you can apply by phone, call the Louisiana Medicaid Hotline at 1-888-342-6207. Contact your local Medicaid office with any questions about the application process.

How do I prepare to apply for Louisiana ABD Medicaid?

When you apply for Medicaid, you’ll be asked for important information to help determine if you qualify for benefits.

Before you start, gather some basic information to make your application process easier: 

• A document that shows your age, such as your birth certificate or driver’s license
• Your Social Security card
• Pay stubs for anyone in your household who has earned income
• Documentation that shows any other form of income, such as letters from Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Social Security Administration (SSA)
• Information about your financial assets, such as bank account or investment account statements

How do I apply for Medicaid in Kentucky?

There are a few different ways you can apply for ABD Medicaid in Louisiana. Read below to learn more about which option might be right for you.

The quickest and easiest way to apply for ABD Medicaid and other public assistance benefits is online through the LA Medicaid self-service portal. All your personal information is kept 100% confidential and protected by special security technology.

Apply on LA Medicaid Self-Service Portal

To apply in person or by mail, you will need a paper application. Click below to download and print the Louisiana application for Health Coverage:

• Application for Health Coverage (English)

Once you fill out the application, you can drop your application off in person at a Medicaid Application Office near you or mail it to:

Medicaid Application Office
P.O. Box 91278 
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9893

To apply for Medicaid by phone, call the Louisiana Medicaid Hotline at 1-888-342-6207.

How can I get help with my application?

• Call the Louisiana Medicaid Hotline at 1-888-342-6207.
• Visit a Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC), if there’s one near you. See if there’s one in your area.
• NCOA also has a HelpLine you can call to get free support. To get started today, call 1-800-794-6559