Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals | Bruce Greenstein, Secretary

Launched on January 1, 2003, LaMOMS is no-cost health coverage for any pregnant women, married or single, who fall into new expanded income guidelines.  For example, a woman in a family of four (the unborn child is included in the family size) can have a monthly household income up to $4,502 and still qualify for this program.

Any pregnant woman, married or single, may apply for health coverage. Income limits are higher so working couples can make more money and still be eligible. We do not count resources such as bank accounts, cash on hand, cars or property.

 

Number in Family (include the unborn child)      Monthly Income
                                                                                    
2                                                                                     $2,585

3                                                                                     $3,255

4                                                                                     $3,925

5                                                                                     $4,595

6                                                                                     $5,265

7                                                                                     $5,935

8                                                                                     $6,605

* If you have more than 8 people in your family, add $670 to $6,605 for each person.

Even if your income is more than these amounts, you may still qualify.  You can receive these deductions from your total income:

• $90 for each employed person
• Disregard of educational income
• Disregard of child support paid outside your home
• Up to $50 for child support received
• Up to $200/month for child care payments for EACH child under age 2
• Up to $175/month for child care payments for EACH child over age 2

Income limits increase each year on April 1.

You must fill out an application form.  If needed, someone can assist you in completing the form.  You can get an application form from the Medicaid office in the parish where you live, at any of the participating Medicaid Application Centers, from our Web site by clicking here, or by calling 1.888.342.6207.  The application form with your information can be mailed to your local Medicaid office.

We will make a prompt decision and you will be notified no later than 45 days after we get your application.

Coverage can start as early as three months before the month we get your application (if you were pregnant during that time period).  DON'T WAIT!  Get the form to us as soon as you can.

We will pay for pregnancy-related services, delivery and care up to 60 days after your pregnancy ends including doctor visits, lab work/tests, prescription medicines and hospital care.

You may use any doctor who is enrolled as a Medicaid provider.

To get a list of doctors, dentists or other medical service providers in your parish who take Medicaid, please visit our Provider Map page. This page will let you search for Medicaid services in your parish. If there is no doctor listed in your parish, try searching for doctors in your region or in the parishes around yours.

You can also call 1.877.455.9955 toll-free for a listing of specialists (including dentists) in your area who are enrolled and active in Medicaid programs.

It is important to remember that not all doctors who are active in the Medicaid program are taking new patients. Be sure to ask the doctor’s office if they are taking new Medicaid patients when you call to schedule an appointment. If you have private insurance in addition to LaMOMS, be sure to ask if your doctor accepts Medicaid as a "secondary" payer.

You may be eligible to be paid back for medical services received up to three months before you applied if:

• You are eligible on the date the service was received, and
• You used a Medicaid provider, and
• The service is covered by the Medicaid program.

Yes, it is part of Medicaid; however we have a simplified one page application which can be completed. The key requirements for eligibility are verification of income and verification of pregnancy/expected date of delivery.  Only verifications not available to our agency through other sources will be required from applicants.

You can have other insurance coverage in addition to LaMOMS.  Your other insurance will pay first, and then Medicaid will cover the amount that is left, up to the Medicaid allowed amount.

There are NO enrollment fees, NO premiums, NO co-payments, and NO deductibles.

Applicants for Medicaid must:

• Provide the State with documentation of citizenship or alien status, and
• Sign a declaration that the applicant is a citizen or national of the United States or an alien in a satisfactory immigration status.

Illegal aliens and legal aliens otherwise ineligible for Medicaid may be eligible for emergency services and/or emergency labor and delivery services.

Once enrolled, a pregnant woman will keep this coverage until 60 days after her pregnancy ends, regardless of income or household changes.

When your child is born, he or she will automatically be enrolled in LaCHIP, the no-cost health insurance program for children under 19.

If you need help to complete the application form or to get any of the needed proof, please call us toll-free at 1.888.342.6207. If you are hearing impaired, you may call the TTY number at 1.800.220.5404.