Louisiana Officially Becomes 31st State to Accept Medicaid Expansion as Enrollment Begins Today

Washington, D.C. – Louisiana officially set the stage to become the 31st state, plus the District of Columbia, to accept Medicaid expansion by beginning enrollment today. Coverage will begin on July 1st. At least 300,000 Louisianans who earn too much to qualify for traditional Medicaid, but not enough to qualify for subsidies on the insurance exchange, are expected to be eligible for health coverage under Medicaid expansion. Gov. John Bel Edwards issued the executive order expanding Medicaid on Jan. 12, the day after he was sworn into office. Applications can be made at the Louisiana Medicaid Online Application Center, by phone at 1-888-342-6207, or in person at a Medicaid application center. Following is the statement of Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, on the Governor’s action:

“Governor Edwards should be commended. He set an ambitious deadline for his Administration when he announced back in January that enrollment in Medicaid expansion would begin today – and he met it. Now at least 300,000 Louisianans – mostly working men and women – can start their days with the peace of mind that comes with access to quality health coverage. And, on top of that, it’s estimated the state will save an estimated $184 million next fiscal year. This is a win for every Louisianan.

“We urge every Louisianan who thinks they may be eligible to apply for coverage.”