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Louisiana Insurance Information
Employer health insurance is the most common type of health insurance in Louisiana, covering 47% of the population. Medicaid covers 15% and Medicare covers 13%. Twenty percent of the people in Louisiana are uninsured, slightly higher than the national average of 16%.
The Louisiana Health Plan offers high risk pool insurance for individuals whose medical conditions prevent them from getting affordable health insurance. There are limits on the insurance premiums that can be charged to people who participate in this program.
Minors, pregnant women, and disabled persons who meet strict income guidelines may qualify for Louisiana’s Medicaid program.
Uninsured minors who do not meet the stringent income guidelines for Medicaid may qualify for Louisiana’s SCHIP program, LaCHIP.
Health Issues in Louisiana and Ranking
Louisiana scores well in customer satisfaction, with a high percentage of Medicare patients reporting being pleased with the healthcare services they receive. Compared to other states, Louisiana’s nursing home residents were less likely to exhibit declining mobility, pain, or loss of bowel/bladder control.
An area in Louisiana’s healthcare system that has potential for improvement and growth, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is home health care. Compared to other states, a low percentage of home health patients reported improved respiratory status. Meanwhile, a fairly high percentage of home health patients required hospitalization or needed to be placed in care facilities.
Louisiana’s mental health system is in crisis, especially in the areas hit so hard by hurricane Katrina. James McDonough, the man credited with revamping Florida’s prison system, is leading a committee to look at possible solutions. Some measures that McDonough and his team plan to implement include mobile mental health teams to monitor their patients’ living situations, psychiatric stability, and medication compliance; housing subsidies for the mentally ill; and a crisis center where police can bring mentally ill people for evaluation.
