April 12, 2007 State Health Insurance Progams Get Higher Income Limits

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Apr 12, 2007 -

Baton Rouge – More Louisiana children will be eligible for the Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program (LaCHIP) because of the annual increase in the Federal Poverty Level effective this month. This increase allows working families to earn more income and still qualify for LaCHIP, which provides no-cost health coverage for uninsured children younger than age 19.

Since the program began in 1998, more than 28,000 families have been denied coverage because their incomes were too high. In the past year alone, more than 2,500 families have been denied coverage because of their incomes. The annual changes to the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines may allow many of these families to qualify now for LaCHIP benefits for their children.

This change comes as the Department of Health prepares to launch a massive LaCHIP Outreach Blitz in the New Orleans area.  The week-long project will be targeting families who lost their LaCHIP/Medicaid health care coverage for any reason post-Katrina as well as families who have never received coverage before and are unaware they are eligible for such services.

An August 2006 survey by LDH on uninsured in Louisiana found that over 91,000 children in the state did not have health insurance, and over 67,500 of those were eligible to receive coverage by programs like LaCHIP.

For complete income guidelines or to obtain an application or renewal form, visit www.lachip.org or call 1-877-2LaCHIP (252-2447).   More information about the LaCHIP Outreach Blitz can also be accessed at these locations.

Income guidelines also will change for LaMOMS (for pregnant women), the Medicare Savings Program (for people with Medicare) and the Medicaid Purchase Plan (for workers with disabilities). Those interested in these Medicaid programs should visit www.medicaid.dhh.louisiana.gov or call 1-888-342-6207.

New Income Guidelines for LaCHIP