Medicaid Louisiana Customer Service Number — Complete Professional Guide

Overview of Louisiana Medicaid Customer Service

Louisiana Medicaid is administered by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) through the Medicaid Services division and the Healthy Louisiana managed-care program. For beneficiaries, providers and advocates, the primary pathway to resolve eligibility, billing, enrollment and provider-enrollment questions is through LDH customer service and the managed-care organizations (MCOs) contracted by the state. Knowing the correct numbers, required documentation and escalation paths dramatically reduces time-to-resolution.

This guide presents the practical contact points, what to have ready when you call, common issue types, and how to escalate an issue efficiently. The information below is oriented to 1) Medicaid members seeking coverage or claims assistance, 2) providers with claims or prior authorization questions, and 3) community organizations helping clients navigate appeals or application problems.

Primary Contact Numbers, Addresses and Official Websites

Use the following official LDH channels as your starting point. The LDH switchboard and Medicaid customer service lines are staffed weekday business hours; if you need TTY support, use the statewide relay number. Always confirm any specific mailing address or program page on the official LDH site before sending original documents.

• Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) main switchboard: (225) 342-9500 — general inquiries and referrals.
• LDH Medicaid Customer Service (toll-free): 1-888-342-6207 — eligibility, enrollment, and member services inquiries (hours typically Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM Central Time).
• Relay/TTY for hearing impaired: 711 (use with the above numbers).
• Official website (primary resource for forms, notices and secure messaging): https://ldh.la.gov — navigate to “Medicaid” or “Healthy Louisiana” pages for program-specific contact details and member portals.

For managed-care specific issues (prior authorizations, MCO appeals, network questions), contact the member services number on the back of the Medicaid ID card. If you do not have the card available, the LDH website lists the current contracted MCOs and each plan’s member service phone number and web portal.

What to Have Ready When Calling Customer Service

Preparation cuts average call time by more than half. When calling LDH or an MCO, have the following on hand: Medicaid ID number (commonly a 12-digit number printed on your card), full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number (if asked for identity verification), current address, and any claim numbers or provider NPI numbers if the call is about billing.

• Critical documents: Medicaid ID card, denial or explanation of benefits (EOB) letters, provider statements or invoices with dates of service, prior authorization letters, and any correspondence from LDH or an MCO (include dates and reference numbers).
• Technical access: If you plan to follow up online, set up or log into your secure LDH account or the MCO member portal and have access to email and a PDF scanner (smartphone camera is acceptable for document upload).

If you are a provider, also have your NPI, Medicaid provider number, and the rendering provider’s NPI. For complex billing disputes, ask for a billing specialist or audit unit and note the representative’s name, employee ID and the reference number for the call.

Common Issues and How Customer Service Resolves Them

Typical member issues include eligibility gaps, incorrect managed-care plan assignments, lost or delayed cards, and claims denials. Customer service agents can correct contact information, trigger re-mails of ID cards (standard turnaround: 7–10 business days), initiate eligibility redetermination checks, and route provider claim disputes to the claims adjudication unit. If the issue is time-sensitive (e.g., reenrollment pending for an inpatient episode), request expedited handling and a supervisor review.

For provider issues such as denied claims, incorrect payments, or prior authorization discrepancies, customer service will typically: 1) verify beneficiary eligibility for the date of service, 2) confirm the reason for denial (coding, missing authorization, end-date issues), and 3) provide instructions for resubmission or appeal with any required forms and documentation. Keep a log of all interactions—date, time, representative name and case number—and follow up within the timeframes specified in the call note.

Appeals, Grievances and Escalation Paths

If you disagree with a coverage decision, denials and service terminations can be appealed. LDH and each MCO publish specific appeal and grievance procedures; typically the first step is an internal appeal to the MCO (for managed-care members) or a state fair hearing request filed with LDH/Bureau of Health Services Financing (BHSD) for fee-for-service matters. When you call customer service, ask for the exact appeal form name, the mailing address, and any deadline. If you receive a written denial, the notice will include appeal deadlines and contact numbers—preserve that notice.

Escalation tips: 1) Request a supervisor if initial resolution is unsatisfactory; 2) document attempted fixes and ask for a written summary emailed to you; 3) contact your local legal aid or state ombudsman if you face an urgent denial that jeopardizes ongoing care. If attempts through customer service do not resolve an administrative error (incorrect eligibility coding, systemic provider payment failure), request the matter be referred to the LDH executive escalations or the BHSD appeals coordinator and get a case ID.

Final Practical Notes and Resources

Record keeping is the most powerful tool you bring to a Medicaid customer service interaction: retain copies of all correspondence, note representative names and case numbers, and scan/upload documents when advised. Typical turnaround times: customer service call responses same day; reissue of ID card 7–10 business days; claims review resolution anywhere from 30 to 90 days depending on complexity—ask for expected timelines when you call.

Primary resources: LDH main site (https://ldh.la.gov) for forms and notices, the Medicaid/Healthy Louisiana member portal for secure messaging, and the back of the Medicaid ID card for the specific MCO member-services phone number. If you need in-person help, many parish human services offices and community health centers in Louisiana provide application assistance—ask customer service for the local office address and walk-in hours for your parish.