Medicaid Customer Service — Louisiana (practical guide for applicants and enrollees)

Program snapshot and what customer service covers

Louisiana Medicaid is the state-run program administered by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). Following Medicaid expansion implemented in 2016, Louisiana covers low‑income adults, children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities; roughly one in three Louisiana residents use Medicaid or CHIP at some point in a year. As of 2023–2024, statewide enrollment has been in the range of approximately 1.3–1.5 million people (about 25–33% of the state population), making timely customer-service systems a critical access point for benefits, managed care enrollment, and provider services.

Customer service for Louisiana Medicaid handles eligibility questions, application intake, renewal notices, appeals and fair hearings, provider billing and authorizations, managed care plan grievances, and long‑term services and supports (LTSS) coordination. Typical customer-service outcomes include confirming eligibility status, initiating or completing a renewal, correcting an address or name, placing an expedited prior‑authorization request, or registering a grievance that triggers a 30‑day response timeline (72 hours in documented urgent cases).

How to contact Louisiana Medicaid and where to go

Primary official resources: the Louisiana Department of Health website (ldh.la.gov) and the Louisiana Medicaid information portal (www.lamedicaid.com). For routine member questions and application assistance, call the statewide Member Services line; a commonly published customer-service number is 1‑888‑342‑6207 (TTY: 711 for relay). Always confirm numbers and hours on ldh.la.gov because offices and telephone routing can change during renewal waves and after policy updates.

If you need in‑person help, visit your local Parish Assistance Office (PAO) or a designated Medicaid enrollment center. LDH’s central office is located in Baton Rouge for written correspondence and formal submissions: 628 N. 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 (confirm current mailing addresses and PO boxes on the LDH website). Typical state office hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; many call centers mirror those hours but may offer extended automated services 24/7.

Eligibility, timelines and required documents

Under Medicaid expansion, non‑elderly adults may be eligible up to roughly 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) under MAGI rules; children, pregnant women, and parents have categorical rules that differ by household size. Renewals and new applications for MAGI‑based programs are generally processed within 45 days of a complete application. Disability determinations that require medical review follow a longer timeline—up to 90 days—because they often coordinate with Social Security Disability determinations.

• Core documents to have ready: proof of identity (state ID or birth certificate), Social Security numbers (or proof of application), proof of Louisiana residence (lease, utility bill), proof of income (pay stubs for the last 1–3 months or employer letter), and medical proof when requesting disability or pregnancy‑related eligibility.
• If you are applying for Medicaid long‑term care (nursing home or 1915(c) waiver), include asset documentation (bank statements, property information), recent medical records, and any power of attorney or guardianship paperwork.

Managed care, covered services and billing basics

Most Louisiana Medicaid members receive services through managed care organizations (MCOs). Membership cards list your assigned plan and plan phone numbers for authorizations, care management, and pharmacy coverage. Typical covered services include primary and specialty physician visits, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, behavioral health, prescription drugs, preventive services, family planning, and—where eligible—long‑term services and supports (home‑and‑community‑based services and nursing facility care).

Billing issues (denials, missing claims, provider appeals) are routed either to the MCO or to the Medicaid provider help desk. Standard grievance timelines: plans must acknowledge and resolve routine grievances within 30 calendar days; expedited reviews are targeted at 72 hours when continuing care or imminent harm is at stake. If you are a Medicaid beneficiary and a provider bills you inappropriately, contact Customer Service and request a written explanation and appeal rights immediately.

Appeals, hearings and protecting coverage

If you disagree with an eligibility decision, benefit reduction, or termination, request an administrative appeal promptly—Louisiana typically requires a request within 90 days of the notice date to preserve appeal rights (verify the exact deadline printed on your denial notice). You also have the right to request a state fair hearing; if your coverage would end before the hearing decision, ask for continuation of benefits (“aid‑continuing”) when you file the appeal to avoid a coverage gap.

Keep careful records of all interactions: dates and times of phone calls, names and ID numbers of representatives, copies of notices, and certified mail receipts for hard‑copy submissions. For suspected fraud, waste or abuse (either by a provider or recipient), report to LDH’s Medicaid program integrity unit via the website contact form on ldh.la.gov or to the fraud hotline listed on the official site—do not rely on third‑party posts.

Practical checklist before you call or apply

• Gather ID and proof documents: SSN (or SSN application), photo ID, 1–3 months of pay stubs, lease/utility bill, recent bank statement, and any medical records if applying for disability or LTC.
• Check your renewal date and read any mailed Notice of Action carefully; note the final submission deadline and keep copies of everything you send.
• When calling, write down the representative’s name, employee ID, the date/time, and the confirmation or case number; ask for an expected resolution date and follow up if it passes.
• Use official sites first: ldh.la.gov and www.lamedicaid.com for enrollment forms, provider directories, and downloadable appeals forms; use the Member Services phone line to confirm anything printed online.

How to speak to a live person for Medicaid?

★ Department of Health Care Services

1. California State Contacts.
2. Eligibility.
3. Enrollment.
4. ☎ Call the Medi-Cal Helpline: 800-541-5555, or 916-636-1980.

What is the monthly income limit for Medicaid in Louisiana?

Effective 3/1/2025*

Program	Family Size/Monthly Income Limits
	1	2
LaCHIP – for children	$2,831	$3,825
LaCHIP Affordable Plan – for children	$3,326	$4,495
LaMOMS – for pregnant women		$2,433

Who handles Medicaid in Louisiana?

The Bureau of Health Services Financing is the LDH division responsible for the Medicaid Program, with regional offices that provide in-person assistance with Medicaid eligibility applications and information along with numerous application centers throughout Louisiana.

What is the phone number for Louisiana Healthcare customer service?

1-866-595-8133
To ensure the safety of your protected health information (PHI), please send us a message through the Secure Member Portal or Provider Portal, or you can call us at 1-866-595-8133 to speak directly to a customer service representative.

How do I call Medicare customer service?

(800) 633-4227Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services / Customer service
You can visit Medicare.gov or call the toll-free number 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or the TTY number 1-877-486-2048 for the latest information about Medicare. What is Medicare?

How do I contact Louisiana Medicaid?

Call Medicaid Customer Service at 1-888-342-6207 to request a new card or visit the online Medicaid Self-Service Portal.