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Residency Requirements for Louisiana Medicaid

Many families in Louisiana find themselves in need of regular health checkups and unable to pay for them. The Louisiana Medicaid program offers a way for disabled and/or financially needy residents to receive the medical care they need at no cost to them. Louisiana Medicaid also offers a group of specialty programs for individuals who do not qualify for traditional Medicaid.

  1. Eligibility Requirements

    • Louisiana residents and their families who receive Social Security benefits or assistance from the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program can automatically receive Medicaid benefits, according to the Louisiana Department of Health and Human Services. Other Louisiana residents may also qualify, if they meet income standards and either they or a member of their family has a disability such as blindness, is pregnant or needs treatment for breast or cervical cancer. Low-income parents under the age of 19 and children under 19 may also qualify. As of 2010, the family's total income must fall below the Federal Benefit Rate, which is $564 for an individual and $846 for a couple per month, according to the Louisiana Department of Health and Human Services.

    Applying for Medicaid

    • Louisiana residents can apply for Medicaid online through the Louisiana Department of Health and Human Services website or by visiting a Medicaid office in their parish and requesting a paper application. Louisiana does not require applicants to complete an interview for Medicaid in person, but the applicant may need to mail verification documentation to the Medicaid office, such as documentation describing their disability, records of pregnancy, bank statements and proof of property ownership for homes and vehicles. The Medicaid application provides a complete list of needed documents.

    How Medicaid Works

    • Medicaid participants can receive free or discounted health care at participating doctor's offices, health care centers and hospitals. Louisiana Medicaid covers the cost of a wide range of needed services, such as routine checkups, family planning, dental care, vision care, dentures, immunizations and hospital visits. Louisiana Medicaid also covers the cost of long-term nursing home care. Participants must visit a Medicaid-approved health care center and some services require pre-approval from Medicaid.

    Other Medicaid Programs

    • Louisiana residents who do not qualify for traditional Medicaid may qualify for a specialized Medicaid program. For example, the Take Charge program provides free family planning services for Louisiana women between the ages of 19 and 44. Under the program, women can receive free physical exams, birth control and family planning consultations. The LaChip program provides free health care services for children under 19 whose parents meet low-income requirements. For example, a family with two parents and one child can receive free health care for the child if the parents' income falls below $2,492 a month, according to LaChip.

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