Affordable Health Insurance Navigation through SWLAHEC

Jennifer Kansas, one of the navigators at the Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center (SWLAHEC), presented to us how they educate people about affordable health coverage and connect people to affordable health insurance plans and health care providers who take these plans. Please access the recorded meeting here.

They offer one on one meetings to assist people in navigating the programs that they are eligible for. They can also help you locate providers based on your insurance plan and help locate affordable insurance that corresponds with your health care provider if possible. Oftentimes they get in touch with people within one to a couple of days.

For all programs, eligibility is greatly determined by the Federal Poverty Guidelines accessible here.

Healthcare plans are required to have a minimum of 10 essential healthcare benefits at no extra charge to consumers:

• Pediatric services, ambulatory patient services, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health services, prescription drugs, rehab services and devices, laboratory services, and preventative services (prostate screenings, mammograms, pap smears, etc.).

Overview of affordable health insurance programs:

Medicaid 

• Offers health insurance plans to cover medical benefits for eligible adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities.
  • Medicaid has a 5-year waiting period for anyone who is entering the country internationally.
  • March 2020- temporarily waived certain requirements to continue aiding people during the pandemic. They are currently in the process of reassessing cases to make sure people are still eligible.
  • It is required for people on Medicaid to keep their information up to date so that they can keep their benefits. To help determine if you still qualify please view this pdf for more information.
  • Individuals who are 100%- 138% within the poverty guidelines are eligible for Medicaid.
  • 45% of Louisiana’s population is currently using Medicaid.
  • Haga clic aquí para obtener más información sobre Medicaid en español.

Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program (LaCHIP)

• Provides health insurance coverage to uninsured children up to age 19.
  • Measures for COVID also affected LaCHIP, they are reviewing these cases as well.
  • It is vital for people with LaCHIP to keep their information up to date.
  • Pays for hospital care, doctor visits, prescription drugs, shots, and more.

Health Insurance Marketplace

• Marketplace is a part of the Affordable healthcare act and is a place to shop for healthcare that is within budget and meets your needs.
  • International Students qualify for a Marketplace Plan which includes both you and all your dependants (with tax credits and no waiting period at all) as long as you are lawfully present in the U.S.
  • Depending on income (as of spring 2023, if you do not exceed $54,000 dollars a year currently for a family size of one, the more dependents the more income you can make and still be eligible for tax credits) you could pay nothing to $10 or $15 dollars a month for a quality health plan.
  • Open enrollment periods are offered annually, and special enrollment periods are offered throughout the year (if you no longer qualify for Medicaid you will qualify for a special enrollment period.)
  • You may qualify for tax credits to reduce costs depending on your income status.
  • For more information about Marketplace click here.
  • Haga clic aquí para obtener información sobre el Marketplace de seguros de salud en español.

Catastrophic Health Plan

• Plans that have high deductibles but are relatively inexpensive and are just in case something bad happens.
  • College students or anyone under the age of 30 can get one of these health plans no matter their income bracket.

To learn more and have assistance with obtaining an affordable health plan:

Fill out the form on their website to connect directly with a navigator.
Call: 1-800-435-2432
Email: navigator@swlahec.com