The Louisiana Department of Health’s Medicaid managed care contract with Healthy Blue, formed as a joint venture between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and Elevance Health, will end Dec. 31.
More than 290,000 Medicaid members currently have Healthy Blue, according to a Sept. 1 news release from the department.
While Medicaid eligibility does not change with the update — and Healthy Blue members can continue using their benefits until the end of the year — members will have to choose one of the four remaining health plans through the state’s managed care program, Healthy Louisiana. These include Aetna Better Health, AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana, Humana Healthy Horizons in Louisiana and Centene’s Louisiana Healthcare Connections. Members will make selections during the special enrollment period spanning Oct. 15 to Nov. 16.
Members who do not select an alternative will be assigned a plan ahead of 2027. The Louisiana Department of Health will try to keep family members on the same plan, as well as assign members plans that include their in-network providers.
“Significant efforts are already underway,” Louisiana Medicaid Executive Director Seth Gold said. “Additional resources for affected members will be available to ensure this is a seamless transition, and no one is left without the coverage they need.”
Members will receive informational letters from Healthy Blue by Oct. 1. The Louisiana Department of Health will also supply additional information on continuity-of-care protections.
The Louisiana Department of Health’s Medicaid contract with UnitedHealthcare expired March 31, as well.
More broadly, Elevance recently signaled Medicaid market exits over the next year and beyond. In August, Wellpoint, an Elevance subsidiary, departed the District of Columbia’s Medicaid managed care program.
At the Becker's 5th Annual Fall Payer Issues Roundtable, taking place November 2–3 in Chicago, payer executives and healthcare leaders will come together to discuss value-based care, regulatory changes, cost management strategies and innovations shaping the future of payer-provider collaboration. Apply for complimentary registration now.
