The Louisiana Department of Health is extending UnitedHealthcare’s Medicaid contract through March 31, the insurer confirmed to Becker’s in a Dec. 18 statement.
The state previously decided to cut the contract, which would have expired Dec. 31, thanks to an earlier extension. UnitedHealthcare said it serves more than 300,000 Medicaid enrollees in the state. The department originally prepared to redistribute those members to other plans.
The new agreement “is for the sole purpose of allowing for a more orderly and seamless transition for our members to other Managed Care Organizations to help prevent gaps in care and give healthcare providers a chance to enter into new contracts with these organizations,” a UnitedHealthcare spokesperson said.
“We value our relationship with the state and remain committed to working with the Louisiana Department of Health through this transition. We have been and remain compliant with our Medicaid contract,” the spokesperson continued.
UnitedHealthcare is one of the state’s six Medicaid contractors. News outlets had reported Dec. 9 that the state would no longer work with Aetna Better Health of Louisiana either, but a department spokesperson confirmed the contract’s renewal.
Becker’s contacted the Louisiana Department of Health and will update this story if more information becomes available.
