1. The purpose of this RFP is to solicit proposals from qualified proposers that provide administrative and fiduciary services for the statewide Health Insurance Program (HIP) for persons living with HIV in Louisiana. The goal of HIP is to provide assistance to low-income individuals living with HIV with the payment of their health insurance premiums and eligible cost shares, including co-payments, co-insurances and deductibles. This program assists individuals by maintaining access to healthcare through their current providers while allowing the flexibility to access more options in healthcare services. It is a cost effective program in that it helps HIV infected individuals access essential medical services by utilizing their health insurance and keeps individuals from relying on the Louisiana AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), the State funded health care system or Louisiana Medicaid. In addition, by maintaining the health insurance of individuals, it is more likely that medical care will be maintained and drug therapy accessed, which in turn will lead to improved health outcomes.
People living with HIV may encounter many financial and physical hardships during the course of their disease progression. HIP was implemented to reducethe medical and financial burdens associated with the client accessing HIV-related primary to health care and medications.
2. A contract is necessary to assist with the processing of eligibility applications and the timely payment of health insurance premiums, co-payments, and deductibles for eligible HIV- infected clients residing in the State of Louisiana who are enrolled in HIP. Eligibility requirements are established by SHP and are in accordance with Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) guidelines regarding the Ryan White legislation.