<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0cfLXs_17EbWC3V00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0cfLXs_17EbWC3V00" width="1200" height="600" >LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - A sudden shake-up in Louisiana’s medicaid system is leaving many families unsure about their health coverage heading into the new year. The state is dropping UnitedHealthCare’s medicaid contract, affecting thousands here in southwest Louisiana.The Louisiana Department of Health is ending its Medicaid contract with UnitedHealthCare, which is currently one of Louisiana’s largest Medicaid contractors, receiving more than $10 billion annually from the state. Beginning January 1, more than 300,000 Louisiana residents will be reassigned to a different plan.UnitedHealthCare tells 7 News it remains committed to working with the state through the transition and says it has complied with all medicaid requirements.This comes after the state filed a suit against UnitedHealthcare about overcharging patients for prescriptions.UnitedHealthCare shared this in a statement: “We are aware of the State’s decision to not extend our Medicaid contract effective January 1, 2026, and we remain committed to working with the Louisiana Department of Health through this transition. We value the longstanding relationship with the State of Louisiana that has allowed us to provide access to high quality care and coverage to more than 300,000 Medicaid members.”Lake Charles Memorial says it’s preparing now to help guide patients through the transition and prevent any gaps in care.Jason Rashall, Chief Strategy Officer for Lake Charles Memorial, wants patients not to panic and reassures them that there will be a smooth transition. They provide eligibility checks with patients before they come in through a process with the Louisiana Medicaid System. “LDH will be notifying the United Health Community members of this decision, and they’ll be reassigning them to one of the other Louisiana Medicaid MCO plans, and the fact that we were contracted will of the plans means that all of the medicaid beneficiaries that have been coming here will continue to receive service,” Rashall said. Rashall told 7 News that LDH will give each Medicaid beneficiary 90 days after January 1 to switch plans to another Medicaid MCO if the one they are currently in does not work for them. This is due to Lake Charles Memorial being an official medicaid application center. They also advise waiting to hear from Healthy Louisiana, the Medicaid enrollment center, regarding the plan you will be receiving. Meanwhile, Aetna Better Health confirms in a statement that its contract will be extended:“We received notification from the Louisiana Department of Health that it will extend our Medicaid managed care contract that was set to expire on December 31, 2025. Once finalized, the contract will extend through the end of 2026. We are operating business as usual in support of our members and provider relationships. We thank LDH for their collaboration.” The Louisiana Department of Health states that members can expect new plan information before the new year, and they will be automatically moved to one of the state’s remaining Medicaid managed care plans.Lake Charles Memorial states that you can contact them, along with Healthy Louisiana, for assistance at (855) 229-6848 or on their website.</div></body>

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - A sudden shake-up in Louisiana’s medicaid system is leaving many families unsure about their health coverage heading into the new year. The state is dropping UnitedHealthCare’s medicaid contract, affecting thousands here in southwest Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Health is ending its Medicaid...

LDH Drops UHC, extends AETNA Medicaid plan

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - A sudden shake-up in Louisiana’s medicaid system is leaving many families unsure about their health coverage heading into the ne

LDH Drops UHC, extends AETNA Medicaid plan

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