Louisiana has several measures in place to help children obtain the medical care they need – one of which is the Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program (LaCHIP). If you’re a parent of an uninsured child, it’s imperative to learn all you can about this program so you can ensure your child’s health and well-being. And we’ll help you out with that in this article.
What Does LaCHIP Cover?
LaCHIP offers comprehensive medical coverage for children. Here are some of the services covered by LaCHIP plans:
- Doctor and hospital visits
- Dental, vision, and hearing care
- Immunizations
- Lab work
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Prescription drugs
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of services covered by LaCHIP plans.
Who is Eligible for LaCHIP?
The LaCHIP eligibility requirements are very direct. In order to qualify for LaCHIP coverage, here are the requirements children must meet:
- They need to be younger than 19 years old.
- They must be uninsured.
- The household income must not exceed the program’s limits. (See this chart to view income limits as of 3/1/2023.)
If your child meets all of the requirements, they should be accepted into the program and receive the benefits they are entitled to.
How to Apply for LaCHIP
Applying for Medicaid services can seem daunting, but the more you know about the process, the smoother things will go. Here are three ways to apply for LaCHIP:
- Submit an application online. The quickest way to apply for LaCHIP is to complete the application online through the portal. You’ll follow the prompts, fill out your family’s information, and complete other required actions through the site. Your completed application will go straight to Medicaid when you’re done.
- Go in-person to an application center. Application centers are offices that walk you through the Medicaid application process. Sometimes, you may be able to walk in without an appointment, but to be sure, call your local Medicaid application center beforehand.
- Fill out a paper application. If you’d rather skip the in-person visit, you can fill out a paper application and mail or fax it to Medicaid. The mailing address and fax number are on the form.
Note: If your child has developmental disabilities, we recommend exploring other Medicaid benefits, like waivers, support coordination, and Early Steps. The application process will be different in these cases. You’ll need to get in touch with your local OCDD district or authority for more information.
Choosing a Provider
Not every provider accepts LaCHIP Healthy Louisiana plans. And if you take your child to a Provider who doesn’t accept their plan, Medicaid won’t be liable for those costs. During the enrollment process, you’ll have the opportunity to choose a provider who accepts your chosen plan – to browse providers, go to this Healthy Louisiana page.
With the information in this article, you’re ready to take the necessary steps to apply for LaCHIP on your child’s behalf. For any additional questions, feel free to call the LaCHIP hotline at 1-877-2LaCHIP.
