Baton Rouge --- Representatives from the Department of Health are traveling to North Louisiana Friday, May 2, to introduce the CommunityCARE program to local medical professionals and community leaders. LDH representatives will host two public forums, one in Monroe at 8:30 a.m. and another in Shreveport at 12:30 p.m. LDH Secretary David W. Hood and Medical Director Dr. Jimmy Guidry will attend both forums.
CommunityCARE is a health care delivery system for the state's Medicaid program, which links Medicaid recipients to a doctor. In doing so, the department can ensure Medicaid clients receive proper primary and preventative care. LDH and Medicaid representatives have conducted these informational CommunityCARE kickoffs statewide for LaCHIP and Medicaid patients, physicians and interested parties.
Starting June 1, LDH will launch the program in Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Franklin, Lincoln, Ouachita and Tensas parishes. Several rural North Louisiana parishes have had CommunityCARE in place for the past decade. After the addition of these seven North Louisiana parishes, only four parishes will lack CommunityCARE. Those parishes, located in the New Orleans metro area, will become part of the CommunityCARE program before the end of 2003.
For more information about CommunityCARE, please visit the LDH Web site, www.dhh.state.la.us, or call (225) 342-1304.
What: CommunityCARE kickoffs for North Louisiana
When: Friday, May 2
Locations:
Monroe – Atrium Hotel, 2001 Louisville Ave., 8:30 -- 10 a.m.
Shreveport – Shreveport Sheraton Hotel, 1419 East 70th St., 1:30 -- 3 p.m.