Congratulations on making the decision to apply for Medicaid! It’s an important step in taking care of your health.

When you apply for Medicaid, you choose which health plan you want to enroll in. The health plans are private insurance companies that will provide your health care benefits. While many of the core benefits are the same between the health plans, there can be important differences.

So How Do You Know Which Medicaid Health Plan to Choose?

When you ask people, there are often three main things they look for in a health plan: the best benefits, their doctors and their medications. Some people may look for other things, too, like rewards programs and help to quit smoking. But benefits, doctors and medications are the most common factors. Let’s break them down.

Which Medicaid Health Plan Has the Best Benefits for Me?

All of the Healthy Louisiana (Medicaid) health plans have the same core benefits. They all cover primary care, medications, hospital stays, emergency care, transportation to appointments, and more. But there are differences in extra benefits, like hearing and vision coverage, rewards programs and extra benefits.

Thinking about your health needs will help you know which benefits matter most to you. Are you pregnant? Have you been diagnosed with a health condition? Are you choosing a health plan for your whole family? Do you want to earn rewards for taking care of your health? Do you need hearing or vision benefits?

• The Louisiana Department of Health built a website to help compare benefits between the health plans.
• Find out about Louisiana Healthcare Connections’ Medicaid benefits. Be sure to check out our healthy rewards program, too, where you can earn cash rewards for taking care of your health.

Is My Doctor In-Network?

Another difference between health plans is their provider network. A provider network is all the doctors, hospitals, facilities and other health care providers you can go to if you’re a member of that health plan. Which doctors are in-network can vary a lot between health plans.

If you don’t have a preferred doctor, this may not be as important to you. But if you prefer a specific doctor, checking to see if they’re in-network will ensure you’re able to keep seeing them.

Are My Medications Covered?

If you’re currently taking a prescription medication, checking to see if it’s on a health plan’s preferred drug list can help you choose a health plan.

• See a list of medications covered by all Louisiana Medicaid health plans (PDF)

Ok, I’m Ready… How Do I Choose a Plan?

You choose your health plan when you apply for Medicaid as part of the application. Need Help Applying for Medicaid in Louisiana?

And if we’ve got the benefits, doctors and medications you need, we hope you’ll choose Louisiana Healthcare Connections.