Louisiana health insurance is facing changes will health care reform approaching and many groups are trying to handle the health care delivery system for the poor throughout the state.  Health insurance companies and other private companies submitted proposals to the state advising why they would be the best option to run the coordinated care networks in Louisiana.  The networks hope to be up and running by May 1, 2012.

The article “Dozen Entities Vying for New Health Care Delivery System for Poor” on GreenfieldReporter.com says the state will turn a portion of its $6.7 billion Medicaid program for the poor to the private health insurance companies and taxpayers will end up paying premiums.  The new health care system would cover about 2/3 of Louisiana’s 1.2 million Medicaid eligible residents who are mostly child and they would place the focus on preventative care and primary care.

The state Department of Health and Hospitals Undersecretary, Jerry Phillips, says they had a good turn out of companies vying for the position.  This will help the competitive coverage they are looking for.  At least four health insurers are in the Louisiana market currently, and there are more who want to come in to do Medicaid managed-care business with the state.  There were a surprising 19 insurers that originally expressed interest in the contracts but seven of those decided not to submit official proposals.  Once the company has been decided and the plan is under way, there will be a system developed for health care networks, physicians and hospitals to offer quality health care.

Written by Sam Tabes