There may have been a time when your Louisiana Medicaid waiver services fit your needs to a T. However, since you’re here, it’s probably safe to assume that’s no longer the case. You can, indeed, request additional services from Medicaid. You’ve just got to learn which resources and mechanisms to use. And that’s what we’ll cover in this article – what you need to do, how long to wait for the changes to take effect, best practices, and more. Let’s get right into it!
Step-By-Step Instructions for Requesting Additional Services from Louisiana Medicaid
Requesting additional services from LA Medicaid will take some work on your part. But you won’t be alone throughout the process (more on that below). Here are the steps you’ll need to complete to obtain the services you need to thrive:
- Contact the support coordinator assigned to your case. You may have already spoken to or seen this professional. Call or email them and let them know you want to request additional services from Medicaid.
- Your support coordinator will set up a meeting with your provider. During this meeting, the support coordinator will get your Plan of Care (POC) revision form completed and signed.
- Your support coordinator will send the completed POC revision form to the LGE (Local Governing Entity). The LGE will approve or deny your POC revision.
- The support coordinator will inform you of the LGE’s decision on your POC revision. They will also inform you of your options from that point.
Note: Waiver program rules may differ a bit from one another. The above procedures were pulled from this NOW waiver documentation.
Timing Information: How Long Will You Have to Wait?
For OCDD waivers, the LGE is allowed 7 days to review the POC revision form for your updated waiver services. They’ll send their determination paperwork to your support coordinator by mail. It’s also important to give your support coordinator some extra time to review the determination made by the LGE and finalize any paperwork. So, you should expect to wait about a week or two after the POC revision form is submitted to find out if your Medicaid waiver services update is approved.
Best Practices to Keep in Mind
The POC change process is well-defined and methodical, but there are things you, the beneficiary, can do to make it as smooth as possible. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:
- Keep a running record of your support coordinator interactions (call reference numbers, email text, topics discussed, meetings, and more. If there are delays or misunderstandings, you can depend on those records to help set things straight.
- Be patient, especially during the 7-day LGE review period and a few days afterward. But after that point, don’t hesitate to reach out to your support coordinator about the status of your request.
- Ask your support coordinator about any alternative options should your POC revision request be denied.
Use Your Advocates as Needed
Chances are you’ve already noticed that your support coordinator is at the center of the POC revision process. So, use them. If you have a question or concern, don’t be afraid to reach out. After all, your support coordinator is there to make sure you’re getting the most out of your coverage and will do what they can to achieve that goal.
