Louisiana Receives Federal Approval To Expand LaCHIP
Louisiana on Wednesday received federal approval to expand LaCHIP eligibility to children in families with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level, according to acting CMS Administrator Kerry Weems, the Baton Rouge Advocate reports. LaCHIP is the state's version of SCHIP. The current income eligibility threshold is 200% of the poverty level. The expansion will extend eligibility to about 6,500 children in families with moderate incomes.
Coverage under the expansion will be provided through the State Group Benefits program, which insures state government employees. Families will be required to contribute $50 in monthly premiums, as well as deductibles and copayments. Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals spokesperson Bob Johannessen said Group Benefits was chosen because "they have a strong provider network" and using a state agency allows for a faster start-up "because we don't have to go through a request-for-proposal process" to solicit private sector interest in providing the insurance. Parents can begin enrolling their children in late spring or early summer, according to state DHH Secretary Alan Levine.
Gov. Bob Jindal (R) said that he wants to overhaul LaCHIP to give beneficiaries more options in choosing providers and eventually expand coverage to children in families with incomes up to 300% of the poverty level (Shuler, Baton Rouge Advocate, 2/28).
