Healthy Louisiana members have five managed care plans to choose from in 2026: Aetna Better Health, AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana, Healthy Blue, Humana Healthy Horizons, and Louisiana Healthcare Connections. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan's contract ended December 31, 2025, and members who had that plan were automatically reassigned to one of the five remaining plans starting January 1, 2026. All five plans cover the same core Medicaid benefits, so the real differences come down to provider networks, extra perks, and customer service, not what's medically covered.
This guide breaks down what changed for 2026, how the five plans compare, current income limits for Healthy Louisiana eligibility, and exactly how to enroll or switch plans.
What Is Healthy Louisiana
Healthy Louisiana is the name for Louisiana's Medicaid managed care program, run by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). Instead of billing the state directly, most Medicaid and LaCHIP (Louisiana's Children's Health Insurance Program) members get their care through a private managed care organization (MCO) that contracts with the state. The MCO builds a provider network, coordinates care, and handles claims, while LDH sets the rules and oversees quality.
Nearly all Louisiana Medicaid recipients, including adults covered under the state's 2016 Medicaid expansion, are enrolled in one of these managed care plans rather than traditional fee-for-service Medicaid.
What Changed for 2026
The biggest update to Healthy Louisiana heading into 2026 is the departure of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. LDH did not renew UnitedHealthcare's managed care contract past December 31, 2025. Roughly hundreds of thousands of members who had UnitedHealthcare were reassigned automatically to one of the five continuing plans, effective January 1, 2026.
If you were a UnitedHealthcare member, you did not need to take any action to keep your Medicaid coverage. LDH mailed notices with your new plan assignment and a new member ID card. However, if you want a different plan than the one you were assigned, you have a 90-day window (and can request certain changes after that) to switch, covered below.
The 5 Healthy Louisiana Managed Care Plans for 2026
| Plan | Member Services Phone |
|---|
| Aetna Better Health of Louisiana | 1-855-242-0802 |
| AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana | 1-888-922-0007 |
| Healthy Blue Louisiana | 1-844-521-6942 |
| Humana Healthy Horizons in Louisiana | 1-800-448-3810 |
| Louisiana Healthcare Connections | 1-866-595-8133 |
All five plans are required to cover the same core set of Healthy Louisiana benefits, including:
- Doctor visits and preventive checkups
- Well-child visits and immunizations
- Maternity care, delivery, and postpartum care
- Prescription drugs
- Mental health and substance use disorder treatment
- Non-emergency medical transportation
- Hospital and emergency care
- Vision and dental for children (adult dental varies by plan for some services)
Because the covered services are the same across every plan, the differences that actually matter to most families are:
- Provider network. Whether your current doctor, pediatrician, or specialist is in-network. Always check the plan's provider directory or call before switching.
- Extra benefits (value-added services). Many plans offer perks beyond what Medicaid requires, such as gym memberships, over-the-counter product allowances, boosted transportation limits, or gift cards for completing wellness visits. These change year to year, so check each plan's current member handbook.
- Customer service reputation and care coordination. Especially relevant if you or a family member has a chronic condition and needs care management support.
- Pharmacy network. Some plans have preferred pharmacy chains or different prior authorization rules for certain drugs.
To see a side-by-side comparison with your ZIP code, use the state's official comparison tool at myplan.healthy.la.gov, which shows which plans serve your parish and lets you compare specific benefits.
Healthy Louisiana Income Limits for 2026
Eligibility for Healthy Louisiana depends on your household size, income, and category (adult, child, pregnant woman, or aged/blind/disabled). Louisiana expanded Medicaid in 2016, so most low-income adults under 65 qualify based on income alone, without needing to show a disability.
Adults (Expansion Group and Parents/Caretakers)
Adults ages 19 to 64 qualify for Healthy Louisiana at up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
| Household Size | Annual Income Limit (approx.) | Monthly Income Limit (approx.) |
|---|
| 1 | $21,597 | $1,800 |
| 2 | $29,187 | $2,432 |
| 3 | $36,777 | $3,065 |
| 4 | $44,367 | $3,697 |
Children (LaCHIP)
Children qualify at much higher income levels, up to approximately 257% of the FPL, depending on the child's age group.
| Household Size | Approx. Annual Income Limit |
|---|
| 1 | $40,000 |
| 2 | $54,000 |
| 3 | $68,000 |
Pregnant Women
Pregnant women qualify at up to approximately 194% of the FPL, which covers prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum coverage for 12 months after birth.
Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD)
Aged, blind, and disabled applicants generally qualify with income up to approximately $994 per month for an individual, with different rules for institutional and waiver programs (such as the Community Choices Waiver or Long Term Personal Care Services), which use a higher limit of approximately $2,982 per month tied to the special income level.
These figures are approximate and adjust each year with the federal poverty guidelines, typically updated every January. Always confirm your exact limit with LDH or through the Louisiana Medicaid eligibility manual before assuming you don't qualify.
How to Apply for Healthy Louisiana
- Gather documents. You'll need proof of identity, Louisiana residency, income (pay stubs, tax return, or employer letter), household size, and Social Security numbers for applicants.
- Apply online. Go to MyMedicaid.la.gov, the official Louisiana Medicaid self-service portal, to apply, check status, or report changes.
- Apply by phone. Call the Medicaid customer service line at 1-888-342-6207 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) if you need help applying or have questions about your case.
- Apply through the federal Marketplace. You can also apply through Healthcare.gov, and if you appear to qualify for Medicaid, your application is automatically routed to Louisiana Medicaid.
- Choose or get assigned a plan. After approval, you'll either choose one of the five MCOs or be auto-assigned one. You can then switch during your first 90 days if you want a different plan.
- Watch for your ID card. Once enrolled, your plan mails a member ID card. Keep it with you for all medical, dental, and pharmacy visits.
Most eligibility decisions take about 45 days for standard applications, or up to 90 days if a disability determination is required.
How to Switch Your Healthy Louisiana Plan
If you want to change plans, especially if you were auto-assigned after the UnitedHealthcare exit and want a different option, you have a few ways to do it:
- Call Healthy Louisiana Enrollment at 1-855-229-6848 (TTY: 1-855-526-3346) and ask to switch health plans or dental plans.
- Go online to myplan.healthy.la.gov and make the change through your account.
- Use the Healthy Louisiana mobile app, free on Apple and Android app stores.
You can change plans for any reason during your first 90 days of enrollment. After that window closes, you can still request a change once a year during open enrollment, or at any time for specific reasons, such as your plan dropping a doctor you need or failing to provide medically necessary care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to UnitedHealthcare Community Plan in Louisiana?
UnitedHealthcare's Healthy Louisiana contract ended December 31, 2025, and was not renewed by the Louisiana Department of Health. Members were automatically reassigned to one of the five remaining plans (Aetna Better Health, AmeriHealth Caritas, Healthy Blue, Humana, or Louisiana Healthcare Connections) effective January 1, 2026. No action was required to keep coverage.
Do all Healthy Louisiana plans cover the same services?
Yes. All five managed care organizations must cover the same core Medicaid benefits, including doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, mental health services, and maternity care. The differences are mainly in provider networks, extra perks like gym memberships or transportation allowances, and customer service.
How do I know which Healthy Louisiana plan is best for me?
Start by checking whether your current doctors and pharmacy are in each plan's network using the comparison tool at myplan.healthy.la.gov. Then compare extra benefits like dental for adults, over-the-counter allowances, or wellness rewards, since these vary by plan and change from year to year.
Can I switch my Healthy Louisiana plan at any time?
You can switch for any reason during your first 90 days of enrollment in a plan. After that, you can request a change once a year during open enrollment, or anytime if you have a valid reason, such as your provider leaving the network.
What is the income limit for Healthy Louisiana in 2026?
Most adults qualify at up to 138% of the federal poverty level, which is approximately $21,597 per year for a single adult or approximately $44,367 for a household of four. Children qualify at higher limits, up to roughly 257% of the FPL, and pregnant women qualify up to roughly 194% of the FPL.
Is Healthy Louisiana the same as regular Medicaid?
Yes. Healthy Louisiana is simply the branded name for how Louisiana delivers Medicaid and LaCHIP benefits through managed care organizations. If you're approved for Louisiana Medicaid, you'll almost certainly receive your coverage through one of the Healthy Louisiana plans rather than traditional fee-for-service Medicaid.
Where can I get help applying for Healthy Louisiana?
You can apply online at MyMedicaid.la.gov, call Louisiana Medicaid customer service at 1-888-342-6207, or apply through Healthcare.gov. For plan-specific questions after you're enrolled, contact your MCO's member services line or call the Healthy Louisiana enrollment center at 1-855-229-6848.
Louisiana residents who aren't sure whether they qualify for Healthy Louisiana, or who want to check eligibility for other assistance programs like SNAP or LIHEAP at the same time, can learn more about Louisiana benefits at /states/la.
