Louisiana

Louisiana Medicaid and the new work rules

Healthy Louisiana is run by Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). Louisiana expanded Medicaid on July 1, 2016, which is why the new federal work requirement reaches this state — and why what you do before January 1, 2027 matters.

Work rules start January 1, 2027 Medicaid expanded 1,852,524 enrolled 781,443 in the expansion group

Start here

From January 1, 2027, most adults have to show 80 hours a month

The requirement applies to adults aged 19 to 64 covered through Medicaid expansion — around 781,443 people in Louisiana. It is not only about paid work: study, job training, volunteering and a mix of them all count , and earning at least $580 a month satisfies it on its own.

LDH will mostly verify from existing employment and Social Security records. Most compliant members won't need to send anything — but failing to respond to a request can cost coverage even if you still qualify.

If your hours swing from month to month, say so. The rule is written per month, which is the wrong shape for farm and fishing work, construction, tourism and seasonal retail — a good month and a dead month average out to a living, but the dead month is the one that fails. Federal law has a provision for exactly this: a seasonal worker can satisfy the requirement using their average monthly income over the previous six months instead of hours worked in the month being checked. It is at 42 CFR 435.552(a)(7), and the law defines who counts as seasonal by pointing at the tax code rather than listing jobs, so do not decide for yourself that it misses you. If your work is seasonal or your hours are irregular, tell the state that when you report, and ask for the six-month average to be used.

May 2026 · already happened

LDH mailed notices to members whose renewal falls in January 2027

November 2026

Renewal packets including work-requirement materials mail to those same members

January 1, 2027

Requirement takes effect

You do not have to prove anything if any of these describe you

Exemptions are meant to be applied by the state automatically from records it already holds, but records are imperfect. If one of these fits you and you still get asked to report hours, say so and ask them to check — don't assume the notice is right.

Under 19, or 65 and older

Parents or guardians of a child under 14

Pregnant or postpartum

Blind, disabled, or medically frail

Veterans with a total disability rating

In substance use or alcohol treatment

Caregivers for someone with a disability

Already meeting SNAP work requirements

Enrolled in Medicare Part A or B

American Indian or Alaska Native eligible for Indian Health Service

Former foster youth under 26

Released from incarceration within the last 3 months

Income limits

What you can earn and still qualify

Monthly income, before tax, for the whole household. These are the state's own published figures, which is what its caseworkers actually apply. If you are close to a line, apply anyway — some income does not count, and only the agency can run the calculation for your situation.

Adults 19 to 64

1 person: $1,800
2 people: $2,433
3 people: $3,065
4 people: $3,698
5 people: $4,330
6 people: $4,963

Pregnant (LaMOMS)

2 people: $3,860
3 people: $4,873
4 people: $5,885
5 people: $6,898
6 people: $7,911

Children (LaCHIP)

1 person: $2,887
2 people: $3,914
3 people: $4,941
4 people: $5,968
5 people: $6,995
6 people: $8,022

Children (LaCHIP Affordable Plan)

1 person: $3,392
2 people: $4,599
3 people: $5,806
4 people: $7,013
5 people: $8,220
6 people: $9,427

Source: LDH Medicaid Programs flyer, Rev. 03/26, limits effective March 1, 2026. A note on precision: LDH publishes $1,800/mo for a household of one. We publish the state figure.

January 1, 2027

Two other changes land on the same day

Renewals get more frequent, and back-dated coverage gets shorter.

Back-dated coverage is changing on January 1 One month for adults in the expansion group; two months for children, over-65s and people with disabilities. If you have unpaid medical bills, applying sooner covers more of them.

P.L. 119-21 §71112, amending 42 U.S.C. §1396a(a)(34). Applies to applications submitted on or after January 1, 2027.

Do this now

Update your address and phone number first. Everything about the new rules arrives by mail, and a stale address is the most common reason people lose coverage they are still entitled to. Then check whether an exemption applies to you.

Apply, renew or update details MyMedicaid.la.gov Free, and open all year The state's own work-rules page Read Louisiana's guidance Updated as rules are finalized Talk to a person 1-888-342-6207 Mon–Fri, 8am–4:30pm

Fastest way to fix your address Text "Info" to update your contact details Keeps your mail arriving

Deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired: 1-800-220-5404.

EnglishSpanishVietnameseArabic

Vietnamese materials reflect a large Vietnamese-speaking population on the coast and in New Orleans. French is NOT among the published Medicaid languages despite the state's Francophone heritage.

If a letter arrives

Most people who lose coverage lose it over paperwork, not eligibility

71.4% of the coverage losses recorded in Louisiana were procedural — a form, a deadline, or an address, rather than a real change in whether someone qualified. From January 1, 2027 that matters more, not less.

Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) · Notice of action

NOTICE OF ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION

Case number: ███████
Date of this notice: 1January 12, 2027

Our records do not show that you met the community engagement requirement for the reporting period.

2If you believe this is incorrect, or if an exemption applies to you, contact us on or before February 11, 2027.

3Coverage for other members of your household is not affected by this notice.

The clock starts on this date. Not the day it reached you. Assume you have less time than it feels like.

"Our records do not show" is not the same as "you did not".The state is matching against databases that are often out of date. If you worked those hours, or an exemption fits you, say so — call 1-888-342-6207.

Your children's coverage is separate. The work requirement does not apply to them. A notice about you does not end their coverage.

You can ask for a fair hearing. It's free, you don't need a lawyer, and asking can keep your coverage running while it's reviewed.

Know your state

What the federal data says about coverage here

Public federal data describes how each state runs its program. Almost all of it is written for policy analysts. Here is what those numbers mean if you are the person enrolled.

Procedural disenrollment · CMS

71.4%

Of people who lost coverage here, this share lost it over paperwork rather than eligibility.

Open every letter. Keep your address current with the agency.

Payment error rate · CMS

1.9%

Records here are relatively accurate, so treat a notice as real rather than assuming a mistake.

Quintile 2 of 5.

Primary care supply · America's Health Rankings

275 /100k

Provider supply here is around the national middle.

Book an appointment before you need one, not when you do.

Common questions

Questions people ask about this

Do the new Medicaid work rules apply to me in Louisiana?

They apply to adults aged 19 to 64 who are covered through Medicaid expansion — about 781,443 people in Louisiana. Children, people over 65, and most people covered on grounds of disability or pregnancy are not in that group. There is also a long list of exemptions.

How many hours a month do I have to work?

80 hours a month. Work is not the only way to meet it — study, job training, volunteering and a combination of these count too, and earning at least $580 a month also satisfies it.

Who is exempt from the work requirement in Louisiana?

Exemptions include: Under 19, or 65 and older; Parents or guardians of a child under 14; Pregnant or postpartum; Blind, disabled, or medically frail; Veterans with a total disability rating; In substance use or alcohol treatment; Caregivers for someone with a disability; Already meeting SNAP work requirements.

When do the Louisiana work rules start?

January 1, 2027. Keeping your address and phone number current with the state is the single most important thing to do before then, because everything arrives by mail.

What is the income limit for Louisiana Medicaid?

For adults 19 to 64, about $1,800 a month for one person and $4,963 for a household of 6.

How do I apply for Healthy Louisiana?

Online at MyMedicaid.la.gov, or by phone on 1-888-342-6207. It is free and there is no open-enrollment window — you can apply at any time of year.

How often do I have to renew Louisiana Medicaid?

Adults covered through Medicaid expansion move from a yearly renewal to one every six months starting with renewals due on or after January 1, 2027. Children, people over 65 and most people covered on grounds of disability stay on yearly renewals. Keep your address and phone number current so the renewal notice reaches you, and answer it before the date on the letter — most people who lose coverage lose it over paperwork.

Other states

Guides for neighboring states

The rules change completely at the state line. If you moved recently, or you're helping family somewhere else, start with their state rather than this one.

ArkansasWork rules are already being enforced MississippiWho actually qualifies TexasWho actually qualifies

See all 50 states and Washington, D.C. on the map →

Notices about the new work rules already went out in May 2026 to anyone renewing in January.

Renewal packets follow in November. If your address is out of date you will miss both.

Updating your address takes two minutes and protects everything else. Do that first, then check the exemption list above.

Go to MyMedicaid.la.gov →