On September 1, 2014, the Department of Health (DHH) began enrolling eligible males and females of child-bearing age in its new Medicaid family planning program, Take Charge Plus.
Take Charge Plus offers additional family planning and related services that were not previously covered under Take Charge, including treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and non-emergency medical transportation to family planning appointments. Take Charge Plus also increases visits for family planning services from four to seven per calendar year. Eligible individuals cannot be pregnant and must have income that does not exceed 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
All current Take Charge enrollees who meet the income requirements for coverage in Take Charge Plus were automatically enrolled for coverage in the new Take Charge Plus with additional benefits effective October 1, 2014. Take Charge enrollees who no longer qualify will be referred to apply for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Individuals who wish to enroll in coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace must enroll during open enrollment (November 15, 2014 - February 15, 2015).
The current Take Charge family planning waiver program will end for all enrollees on December 31, 2014.
Providers must verify member eligibility for Take Charge Plus prior to rendering services to confirm recipient benefit coverage. Providers of Take Charge Plus services, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), and American Indians 638 Clinics will be reimbursed at the Medicaid fee-for-service rates published on the Take Charge Plus fee schedule located at www.lamedicaid.com.
All services provided must be family planning or family planning-related. Take Charge Plus services will include:
· Seven office visits (per calendar year) including a well visit and care related to family planning
· Prescriptions and lab work related to family planning or family planning related services
· Birth control (including pills, patches, implants, injections, condoms, diaphragms, and IUDs)
· Cervical cancer screening and treatment for cervical dysplasia
· Contraceptive counseling and education
· Diagnostic procedures, prescriptions, and follow-up visits to treat STIs (other than HIV/AIDS and hepatitis)
· Treatment of major complications from certain family planning procedures
· Voluntary sterilization for males and females (over age 21)
· Vaccines for both males and females for the prevention of HPV
· Transportation to family planning appointments
The additional benefits will be available only under the new program and not to current Take Charge enrollees. For more information, visit www.medicaid.la.gov or www.lamedicaid.com.