An estimated 9,000 additional uninsured Louisiana children will be eligible to sign up for state health care benefits over the next year through an expansion of the Louisiana Childrens Health Insurance Program (LaCHIP).

This expansion, which raises the income limits to qualify for LaCHIP, is the result of recent legislative action to extend health care coverage to more working families. Act 407 – signed into law by Gov. Kathleen Blanco on July 11 – increases the qualifying income limits from 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level to 300 percent.

The income level change means a family of four earning a monthly income of $5,163 ($61,950 annual income) can purchase health coverage for uninsured children through LaCHIP. This is compared to previous levels where that same familys monthly income could not exceed $3,442 ($41,304 yearly) to be eligible for the program.

According to Dr. Fred Cerise, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, families who earn these higher incomes will pay a premium, based on a sliding fee schedule, for LaCHIP coverage.

This program is designed to assist some middle income families by making health care coverage more affordable, he said. This program is intended only for families with children who today are uninsured. We have built in safeguards to discourage people with insurance from dropping their current coverage simply to enroll in LaCHIP.

In addition, the bill provides funding for outreach and marketing to locate and enroll currently eligible children. There are estimates that nearly 68,000 Louisiana children live in families earning less than 200 percent of the poverty level who qualify for LaCHIP but have not enrolled.

LaCHIP benefits include doctor visits, hospital care, shots and prescriptions, and much more. Louisiana citizens can enroll in LaCHIP at no cost if they earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. The program has been credited as the key reason Louisiana has been able to reduce the percentage of uninsured children in low income households from 31.6 percent to 12.5 percent.

The Department of Health and Hospitals, LaCHIPs administeringauthority, is currently defining rules and regulations for the expanded program with plans for implementation in the fall. For more information about LaCHIP and the programs expansion, visit www.lachip.org or call
1-877-2LaCHIP (252-2447).

Submitted by Rob Anderson. Filed under Disparities

Comments

Thanks so much for this program. You have helped my son with so many health problems in his life. I could never have made ends meet without this insurance...
Benita Barrera on September 17th, 2007

My income would qualify me to receive LaChip for my daughter at the old level. I struggle each year to carry insurance on my family. I have a $3000 deductable to meet each year. It would be a great asset to my family if my daughter could qualify to receive LaChip regardless of if I carry insurance on her or not. That first $3000 is a real killer. Why can't she be covered? I understand that if my insurance will pay the bill, then LaChip will not cover charges, however, during that period of time that I have to meet my deductable, it would be nice if I could get these items covered under LaChip. It is like we are being punished for trying to provide our family with insurance. I took my daughter to the doctor two days ago and was told that she could not receive the vaccine to prevent ovarian cancer because only LaChip patients could receive it. This doctor does not even carry the medicine for people with insurance because the cost is too high. Even if the cost was fully covered by the insurance company, the doctor does not order it. If the state does not offer it for free, he does not wish to obtain it. I have been taking my daughters to this doctor for the last 15 years. What am I to do for my child?
Mary Hebert on September 19th, 2007

I think that this expansion for income limit is great. It would be nice if you could use it,along with insurance. My nieces get better care with Lachip than my son does on very expensive insurance. It just doesnt seem fair. However I do not feel that the problem just rest on the shoulders of the goverment. The doctors,should have limits on what they charge!!! However we do need help and something has got to give....
Karen Chapman on September 27th, 2007

I have 2 severe ADHD CHILDREN. We have a insurance policy that covers only for major hospitalization, you have to meet a 500 deductible per person. At the the end of the month, bills paid I struggle to finf the money desperatly needed for my children. We need HELP IN LOUISIANA
Pamela Fontenot on November 14th, 2007

I just received my notice of decision and was denied for coverage.The reason they gave me was that my families income exceeded the limitations.The limitations firstly for a family of 4 is $3534.00 monthly.In my letter it said that is was $2350.00.By the correct amount I still miss it by less than $100.00.Yes $100.00 isn't that something?I have health insurance coverage on my children with my husbands work but it's not very good.My son has a medical condition and is about to have his fourth procedure done in which my insurance only pays 80% and it's a new year so I'm also subject to deductible again.It's very sad that if I were to quit my job I could than be covered so that I can pay all his medical bills but than I really couldn't pay my house mortgage.So I guess it's all or nothing right?You can work hard to provide for your kids and expect no help when you need it or sit back do nothing and the government will provide the help!This system really needs work!!
Jessica Noel on May 14th, 2008

I just received my notice of decision and was denied for coverage.The reason they gave me was that my families income exceeded the limitations.The limitations firstly for a family of 4 is $3534.00 monthly.In my letter it said that is was $2350.00.By the correct amount I still miss it by less than $100.00.Yes $100.00 isn't that something?I have health insurance coverage on my children with my husbands work but it's not very good.My son has a medical condition and is about to have his fourth procedure done in which my insurance only pays 80% and it's a new year so I'm also subject to deductible again.It's very sad that if I were to quit my job I could than be covered so that I can pay all his medical bills but than I really couldn't pay my house mortgage.So I guess it's all or nothing right?You can work hard to provide for your kids and expect no help when you need it or sit back do nothing and the government will provide the help!This system really needs work!!
Jessica Noel on May 14th, 2008

my doctor bills for me and my daughter were 14000.00 dollars last year and the insurance i have which is insurance i purchased myself not through my employer cost me 4500.00 dollars a year. i worked basically for nothing last year but i guess i would be better off not working at all
dianne pettit on June 16th, 2008

do you know how many people have their children on this program who make way over the limit but they make cash so i guess that is ok and then other people who makes a little over the limit cant get it because they have to show their income i think anyone who doesnt have insurance through their employer at a decent price should be eligible not just certain people who dont even show half their income
linda smith on June 16th, 2008

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