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Healthy Louisiana Plan
Medicaid
Our Healthy Louisiana plan offers a range of benefits along with extras. View the benefits below to see all that our plan offers. It's for pregnant women, adults and children under the age of 21.
Hurricane Zeta Special Notice
Residents that were federally approved for Individual Assistance (IA) can apply for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) benefits.
Hotel Information for Evacuees
With any storm or flood, it is always important to prepare to take care of your health should you need to leave your home. Please take all your medications, supplies, and any medical equipment you use with you. Bring a list of each family member’s prescriptions, medications, dosage and schedule with you. Make sure you take both your Medicaid and UnitedHealthcare ID cards with you along with a list of important numbers like your doctor’s office and UnitedHealthcare Member Services. If you are in need of special services or medical supplies, please contact your doctor or medical supply provider. If you need assistance, please contact UnitedHealthcare Member Services at 1-866-675-1607.
- Riding out hurricane season looks a little different this year because of the need to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
- For the latest updates on the weather in your community, look to your local news as well as the National Weather Service. The Department of Health will also share the latest on its social media channels (@LaDeptHealth on Twitter and Facebook).
- We encourage residents with questions about the storm, sheltering or medical needs to call 2-1-1.
- If you are in need electricity for any health-related needs like oxygen? Your local Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) can help. Click here for parish office contacts.
Are you storm ready? Please click to see Louisiana's Department of Health's Storm Readiness flyer for additional information.
Keep generators outside
- Portable generators should never be used indoors. This includes in a garage, carport, basement, crawl space or other enclosed or partially enclosed area, even those with ventilation.
- Only use generators outside. Place any generator more than 20 feet away from your home, doors, and windows.
- Portable back up gas-powered generators produce an exhaust of the poison gas carbon monoxide (CO) which is odorless and colorless that kills without warning. It claims the lives of hundreds of people every year and makes thousands more ill. CO inhalation can rapidly lead to full incapacitation or death. Opening windows or doors or using fans will not prevent the build-up of CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air IMMEDIATELY. Be sure to place the generator 20 feet away from doors, windows and vents that could allow CO to come indoors.
- Install carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Use battery-operated or battery back-up CO detectors near every sleeping area in your home. Check CO detectors regularly to be sure they are functioning properly.
- Keep the generator dry and do not use in rain or wet conditions. Protect the generator from moisture by operating it on a dry surface under an open canopy-like structure, such as a tarp held up on poles.
Be sure to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
- Wear a mask
- Stay 6 feet apart from others
- Minimize how many trips and how many family members join
- Wash or disinfect your hands when you return home.
- Do check on neighbors but consider calling them instead of visiting in person. If you do visit in person wear a mask and stay six feet apart.
- Community-based COVID testing is on hold for the rest of the week. We will keep you updated. We want you to be able to get tested for COVID as soon as possible if you are symptomatic or have been exposed to someone with COVID.
Prepare for power outages
- When the power is out, throw away any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise. If your life depends on the refrigerated drugs, use them only until a new supply is available. Replace all refrigerated drugs as soon as possible.
- Residents should assume that any downed utility line is energized. Stay away and keep children and pets away from downed lines. Call the electric company to report them. Learn more on how to protect yourself from electrical hazards after a disaster.
- Extreme heat can be especially dangerous for those with chronic medical conditions like heart disease, mental illness, poor blood circulation and obesity. Check on friends and loved ones, and follow these tips on how to prevent heat-related illness after a power outage.
Here are 3 ways to prepare your health for a possible power outage:
- Fully charge your mobile & medical devices & back-up power sources
- Make an emergency power plan
- Test your carbon monoxide detectors
Staying with friends or family
- If you plan to stay with others, talk to them in advance about how you can all best protect yourselves from COVID-19.
- Follow everyday preventive actions, including covering coughs and sneezes, washing your hands often, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Consider taking extra precautions for people living in close quarters.
- If your household includes one or more vulnerable people, then all members of the household should behave as if they themselves are at higher risk.
- Vulnerable members should avoid caring for children and those who are sick.
- Separate a household member who is sick.
- Know what to do if someone in your family or in the household you are staying with becomes sick with COVID-19, such as creating a sick room or at least distance where possible between the sick person and others.
Food and water safety
- Listen to water advisories from local authorities to find out if your water is safe for drinking and bathing after a hurricane. You may only be able to use bottled, boiled or treated water for drinking, cooking, etc.
- If you are in a disaster or emergency, it’s important that you take steps to prevent illness from unsafe food and water.
- Throw away food that may have come in contact with flood or storm water. Unsafe food can make you sick even if it looks, smells and tastes normal. Throw away perishable foods that have not been refrigerated properly due to power outages; also discard foods with an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out.
Floodwaters and cleanup
- Avoid floodwaters, both driving and walking through them, especially on highways and roads. They could be mixed with sewage or other dangerous contaminants. Or it could be covering other dangers, such as exposed electrical wires or sharp objects. For your health and safety, just stay out of the water.
- Take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones during cleanup after a hurricane.
- Follow safety precautions before reentering your flooded home.
- Follow our cleanup tips and monitor your radio or television for up-to-date emergency information.
- Parents: When you return home after a flood, keep your children out of the affected area until cleanup is completed. Don’t allow children to play in or near floodwaters. CDC offers tips to keep your family safe after a flood..
- If your home was flooded, check for mold growth. CDC offers information on how to clean up mold safely after the flood.
Take care of yourself
- The risk for injury during and after a hurricane and other natural disasters is high. Get first aid quickly to help heal small wounds and prevent infection. Learn more about proper wound care after a disaster.
- Dealing with disasters can cause stress and strong emotions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is natural to feel anxiety, grief, and worry. Coping with these feelings and getting help when you need it will help you, your family and your community recover. You can call our special Keep Calm through COVID hotline. This connects you to trained, compassionate counselors who can offer support and who can direct you to mental health and substance abuse counseling services. Call 1-866-310-7977.
The Behavioral Health Recovery Outreach Line connects individuals to real-time support to avoid, prevent or intercept a crisis from occurring. This line offers recovery support 24/7/365 for those with substance use, mental health, mental illness or co-occurring disorders. Additionally, this line is focused on providing assistance to individuals in the healthcare field and as such they can access these services any day, any time. Call 1-833-333-1132 to speak with a qualified support provider who can connect you to trained specialists and clinicians in multiple languages.
- People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms.
- The Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) is encouraging Louisianans to check out an electronic resource from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Taking Care of Your Own Behavioral Health which promotes positive coping and self-care during these unique times.
- There are several other resources and guidance documents on the OBH webpage that can be found at: https://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/3883.
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is taking action to help people who may be affected by severe weather and flooding across parts of Louisiana as a result of Hurricane Zeta.
The following UHC support includes assisting health plan participants who may need to make alternate arrangements to access care and early prescription refills, as well as offering a free emotional-support line to help people who might be affected:
- Early Refills: Due to the approach of the storm, UHC is authorizing a one-time early refill of your prescription medication(s) and durable medical equipment (DME). Members who need to refill a prescription should go to their pharmacy or contact a durable medical equipment provider if needed.
- Help Finding a Network Care Providers: If you need help finding a care provider in the UHC network or obtaining early prescription can call Member Services at 1-866-675-1607 (TTY: 711). The number for Member Services is always located on the back of your UHC ID member card.
- Health4Me app: UHC member app that provides instant access to your member ID card, network care providers, personal health benefits and more. The Health4Me app is available as a free download at the App Store or Google Play.
- UHC Doctor Chat app: if your doctor is unavailable and you have a non-emergency problem, you can connect to a doctor in seconds with the UHC Doctor Chat app. There is no cost to you. Download the app to your mobile device from the Apple Store or Google Play, register your account and complete the short form. Doctors are available to chat through the app 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Remember, if you need assistance please contact UnitedHealthcare Member Services at 1-866-675-1607 (TTY: 711).
Please see Louisiana's Department of Health's Storm Readiness flyer for additional information.
Be Ready. Be Safe.
UnitedHealthcare and the State of Louisiana want to ensure all residents are informed during emergencies, such as severe weather or flooding. Please visit www.GetAGamePlan.org for emergency preparedness guides and tips to keep you and your loved ones safe all year long.
For plan participants who may have misplaced their medical ID cards, call 866-633-2446, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (in the local time zone), Monday through Friday. People enrolled in employer-sponsored and individual health plans who have a smartphone can download the free Health4Me app, which provides instant access to their ID card, network care providers, their personal health benefits and more. The Health4Me app is available as a free download at the Apple iTunes App Store and the Android Market on Google Play.
This plan is available in all parishes.
More information on eligibility and enrollment can be found on the Healthy Louisiana website.
UnitedHealthcare is Closely Watching the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
UnitedHealthcare continues to partner with state and local public health departments, following guidance and protocols appropriate to our members that are provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health departments that are appropriate for our members. Please review the UnitedHealthcare Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information. To learn more, go to CDC.gov.
Louisiana members who have questions about coronavirus, can contact Louisiana 211 Network by dialing dial 211. For the most current information about the outbreak as it becomes available, text keyword LACOVID to 898-211 or visit the Louisiana Office of Public Health at: http://ldh.la.gov/coronavirus.
Benefits & Features
Care Management
Do you or a loved one have a serious health problem or a high-risk pregnancy? If so, our case managers are in your corner. They will:
- Explain medical terms in plain language.
- Coordinate your doctor appointments.
The case manager will stay with you or your loved one throughout the medical journey. He or she will:
- Think beyond your medical needs.
- Assess home situation and help where possible.
- Make sure you have support at home.
So you can focus on getting better.
Cell Phones
When your health is not at its best, it is important to know that help is just a phone call away. We make cell phones available to some members who have a high-risk health issue or high-risk pregnancy and do not have reliable access to a telephone. The program makes sure members have access to UnitedHealthcare, 911, the doctor's office and NurseLine.*
* This is an added benefit offered by UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.
Choice of Doctor
Members can choose a primary care provider (PCP). Use the Doctor Lookup tool to see if your doctor is in our network.
The PCP is your main doctor for:
- Preventive care.
- Treatment if you are sick or injured.
For members who don't have a doctor or whose doctor is not in our network, we can help find a new one close by.
Choice of Birth Center
Where you have your baby is an important choice. That's why you can pick from partner hospitals across Louisiana.
We encourage you to tour the hospital's birthing center. This way you will be familiar with it. And you'll be more relaxed when you have your baby.
Chiropractic Services
Whether chiropractor services are your primary or alternative treatment method, you're covered. This benefit is available for members under the age of 21. A referral from your primary care physician is required.
Members over the age of 21 who are managing pain can get up to six (6) visits per year with an in-network chiropractor.
Dental Care
Regular checkups help keep teeth and gums strong and healthy. Healthy Louisiana members under the age of 21 get:
- 2 exams per year.
- Cleanings and x-rays.
- Fluoride treatments.
These services are offered through MCNA Dental (Managed Care of North America).
Members over the age of 21 get up to $500 in coverage for:*
- Regular exams.
- Cleanings and x-rays.
- Fillings & extractions.
*This is an added benefit offered by UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.
Diabetic Support
If you have diabetes, we'll make life a little easier for you. You'll get medicine, supplies and education to help you reach and stay your best.
Our diabetes program also includes self-care training and classes focused on:
- Planning healthy meals.
- Managing stress.
- Living a healthy lifestyle.
Members over 21 who complete HbA1c labs and LDL-C screenings within 90 days of joining the plan may be eligible for a $50 voucher toward a catalog of over the counter health products. This is an added benefit offered by UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.
Disease Management
If you have a chronic health condition like asthma or diabetes, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan has a program to help you live with your condition and improve the quality of your life. These programs are voluntary and available at no cost to you.
Equipment and Supplies
Some members may need extra support to live safely at home.
Our plan covers medical equipment ordered by your doctor or case manager. This can include supplies like:
- Hospital beds.
- Oxygen tanks.
- Wheelchairs or walkers.
Foot Care
We provide the exams needed to help keep your feet in great shape. And for those with diabetes or a circulatory condition, good foot care can help prevent much more serious problems.
Our podiatry coverage includes:
- Office visits.
- Certain radiology and lab procedures.
- Other diagnostic procedures.
Health Education
Take free classes to help improve your health or to address a condition. Our plan includes classes on diabetes, nutrition and more.
Healthy First Steps®
Build a healthy future for you and your baby and earn great rewards with Healthy First Steps. Our program will help you take the right steps to keep you and your baby healthy. Plus you can earn $20 just for signing up.
We will help you:
- Choose a pregnancy provider and a pediatrician (child’s doctor).
- Schedule visits and exams and arrange rides to your visits.
- Earn rewards for going to visits throughout your pregnancy and baby’s first 15 months of life.
- Get supplies, including breast pumps for nursing moms.
- Connect with community resources such as Women, Infants and Children (WIC) services.
Hearing Care
Trouble hearing can affect your everyday life in many ways. Our plan includes services and support to help protect the hearing of members under the age of 21.
Our plan covers:
- Exams and tests.
- Hearing aids and batteries.
Home Health Care
After surgery or a serious illness you may need extra help with day-to-day tasks like cleaning, cooking or dressing.
You may even need an in-home medical visit to check on how well you are healing. With approval, our plan covers:
- An in-home medical visit.
- Medical equipment like hospital beds, walkers or wheelchairs.
- Disposable medical supplies.
Hospitalization
This plan pays for all expenses related to a hospital stay, so you can rest and heal.
Our plan covers:
- Nursing care.
- Room and board.
- Supplies and equipment.
- Treatment and therapies.
- Diagnostic tests and exams.
And after leaving the hospital, our members are not alone. We make sure they get follow-up care to continue healing at home.
Interpreters
Both doctor and patient need to understand one another. Not speaking English well makes this difficult. We can arrange for a medical interpreter to be at medical appointments.
We also have people at member services who speak more than one language. Chances are, we have someone who speaks your language.
Lab and X-ray Services
Knowing what's wrong and finding it early can make all the difference. Our plan covers most:
- Labs and testing.
- X-rays, scans and other imaging.
We make sure our members get the information needed to help improve their health.
Language Help
You can receive information in your preferred language. Just ask. We also have people at our customer service centers who speak more than one language. Chances are, we have someone who speaks your language.
Medicines
Our plan includes prescription drugs and refills. Some members may have a small copayment.
And we make getting your medicine easy. You can fill your prescriptions at:
- Local pharmacies.
- Services that deliver right to your door.
Member Services
Sometimes you might need a little help understanding your health care options. With us, you have someone you can call 24/7. We'll answer your questions simply and completely.
We can also help you find:
- Home health providers.
- Dentists and vision providers.
- Adult Health Services.
Mental Health/Substance Abuse
Mental health is as important as physical health. That's why we cover both.
Coverage includes:
- Behavioral health services.
- Substance abuse treatment.
- Certain medications.
NurseLine℠
Medical questions and situations come at inconvenient times. For questions about health, call a For questions about health, you can call a trained nurse 24/7. 24/7.
Our NurseLine nurses will:
- Listen to the symptoms.
- Provide guidance on self-care.
- Advise the member about getting care at a doctor visit or an urgent care center.
- Help know when to go to the emergency room.
Nurse Visits
Sometimes continued care is needed after leaving the hospital or urgent care. For example, after a serious illness, surgery or injury. In these cases, a nurse will make home visits to:
- Provide medical care.
- Answer any questions and concerns.
Personal Care
The basics can be hard to do if you have a disability or you've had a serious illness or injury.
If needed, we provide someone to help with:
- Dressing.
- Bathing.
- Feeding.
Long-term personal care is available for members 21 or older with disabilities.
Prenatal Visits
A pregnancy is a journey that's better with the help of friends, family and a pregnancy doctor, or OB/GYN.
All of your recommended prenatal clinical visits and tests are covered.
At these visits, the clinic will:
- Make sure mom and baby are healthy.
- Explain what to expect at each stage of pregnancy.
- Answer questions.
Shots and Vaccines
Routine shots help keep you healthy. Our plan covers:
- Pneumonia, influenza and shingles shots.
- Tetanus, Diptheria and Whooping Cough vaccines.*
- Other recommended shots and vaccines.
* Adult coverage is an added benefit offered by UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.
Transportation
Our plan provides rides to and from health care locations. That includes trips to:
- Doctor and therapy visits.
- Health departments.
- Vision clinics.
Unlimited Doctor Visits
There may be times when your health requires regular visits to a doctor or specialist). Our plan does not limit the number of times children or adults* can see their doctors. This includes sick visits, well visits and specialists. For children, EPSDT screenings are also covered. This way you get care when you need it. And the doctor can see how your health is progressing.
* Unlimited doctor visits for adults is an added benefit offered by UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.
Vision Care
Regular eye exams and glasses, if needed, can help you see more clearly.
With Healthy Louisiana, members under the age of 21 receive:
- Regular eye exams.
- Eyeglass frames.
- Prescription lenses.
Members over the age of 21 can get:*
- Additional vision services to complement Medicaid vision benefits.
- One routine eye exam every two years.
- $100 allowance for frames/lenses every two years.
* This is an added benefit offered by UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.
Well Visits
Unlimited well visits with your doctor are important for good health. These visits can catch health problems early, so they can be treated.
Preventive services cover:
- Checkups for adults and children.
- Well-baby care.
- Care for women expecting a baby.
- Routine shots and tests.
- Mammograms.
Weight Control
Our plan encourages a healthy approach to eating and living. To help our members be their best, we cover:*
- Screening for obesity.
- Support for healthy diet and exercise choices.
Some members may also qualify for weight management classes, including Weight Watchers and JOIN for ME.**
* This is an added benefit offered by UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.
** Some limitations may apply.
Are You Prepared for Hurricane Season?
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan wants to help you make sure you are prepared for hurricane season and the resulting hazards such as storm surge, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding
Learn More
Healthy Louisiana Plan
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