Tagged News

• UnitedHealthcare contract extended 90 days to mid-February after concerns about deadline Play Video

  December 16, 2025 7:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - For more than 330,000 people in Louisiana who rely on Medicaid services, their health insurance policy will change in February following a 90-day contract extension. It's one of six companies that provide Medicaid coverage in Louisiana, but some lawmakers are worried about the change, especially as... more »

• Louisiana cutting only one Medicaid contract after initially saying it'd end two, LDH confirms Play Video

  December 9, 2025 1:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration ended contracts with one of the six companies that provide Medicaid insurance in Louisiana after initially saying it would end contracts with two companies. Seth Gold, Louisiana’s Medicaid director, sent short letters last week to the CEOs of Aetna Better Health of... more »

• Former LDH employee accused of helping family member defraud more than $20,000 in Medicaid benefits Play Video

  October 14, 2025 10:38 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A former Louisiana Department of Health employee is accused of helping a family member defraud more than $20,000 in Medicaid benefits. According to the Attorney General's Office and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, they received a tip that 33-year-old Courtney Higgins helped commit government benefits fraud.... more »

• Gov. Jeff Landry and Department of Health announce increased Medicaid reimbursements for providers Play Video

  October 7, 2025 7:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jeff Landry and the Louisiana Department of Health announced an increase in Medicaid reimbursements for providers on Tuesday afternoon. Some officials said the increase will make doctors more available. "So providing more dollars to the providers, those who are going to say yes to... more »

• US patients can now get Ozempic for half price if they can pay cash Play Video

  August 19, 2025 7:29 AM

  Novo Nordisk announced Monday that US patients can now get a month’s supply of Ozempic, the blockbuster diabetes drug, for $499, for those who pay for medications on their own and don’t go through insurance. The move comes as President Donald Trump is pressuring drugmakers to lower drug costs,... more »

• Louisiana auditors say Medicaid program spent $9.6 million on benefits for 1,074 dead people Play Video

  August 11, 2025 10:41 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A state audit revealed that the agency overseeing Louisiana's Medicaid benefits paid out nearly $10 million to benefit more than 1,000 people who had died over the past six years. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor's Office said Monday that no one received benefits directly despite being dead.... more »

• Mississippi couple accused of defrauding Louisiana Medicaid by claiming they lived in state Play Video

  August 5, 2025 12:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A Mississippi couple was arrested by the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation after allegedly claiming they still lived in Louisiana to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in Louisiana Medicaid benefits. Vincent and Elina DeLeon, 51 and 35, were arrested Monday after LBI was tipped off to... more »

• Social Security says it will no longer send paper checks. What you need to know Play Video

  August 4, 2025 11:31 AM

  The Trump administration will soon stop sending out paper checks for Social Security beneficiaries, as part of an effort to fully modernize federal benefits payments. That means a little over half a million recipients — or 0.8% of all the program’s beneficiaries — must now choose another way to receive... more »

• Slidell woman accused of buying Lamborghini while receiving fraudulent benefits booked into EBR jail Play Video

  July 29, 2025 3:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A Slidell woman was arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison after she allegedly bought a Lamborghini and plastic surgery while receiving fraudulent Medicaid benefits, Attorney General Liz Murrill's Office said Tuesday. Candace Taylor, 35, is accused of underreporting her income to receive... more »

• 'A modern travesty:' Louisiana Democrats express concerns over Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill'

  July 10, 2025 4:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Louisiana Democratic Party leaders called President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" spending package that was signed into law July 4 a "modern travesty." While Republicans say the bill charts a sensible path forward for America, Democrats say the risk to those on Medicaid and the Supplemental... more »

• States can cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, the Supreme Court rules Play Video

  June 26, 2025 10:46 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — A divided Supreme Court allowed states to cut off Medicaid money to Planned Parenthood in a ruling handed down Thursday amid a wider Republican-backed push to defund the country’s biggest abortion provider. The case centers on funding for other health care services Planned Parenthood provides in... more »

• Federal Medicaid cuts could cost Louisiana $4 billion, send legislature into special session Play Video

  June 18, 2025 9:08 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Just a few days after a regular session ended, Louisiana lawmakers are bracing for up to a $4 billion loss in federal Medicaid funding that could force them back into a special session later this year, state Senate President Cameron Henry said Tuesday. The threat stems... more »

• Louisiana Primary Care Association voices concerns about Medicaid cuts at state capitol Play Video

  May 27, 2025 10:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Potential cuts to Medicaid, which could impact thousands of residents here in Louisiana, have prompted the Louisiana Primary Care Association to voice its concerns. The association says they went to the state capitol to advocate and remind many there of the potential effects those cuts could have... more »

• Appropriations Committee advances $49.4 billion budget that funds $2,000 teacher stipends, LA GATOR Play Video

  May 12, 2025 5:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE (Manship News Service) — The House Appropriations Committee advanced a $49.4 billion state budget Monday that funds $2,000 teacher stipends for next year, closes a nearly $200 million shortfall and balances the books without raising taxes. To bridge the budget gap, lawmakers pieced together a solution using... more »

• Covington man arrested for underreporting income, receiving thousands in fraudulent Medicaid benefits

  August 23, 2024 12:17 PM

  COVINGTON - A man was arrested for illegally claiming $17,000 in false Medicaid benefits. The Attorney General announced the arrest of Veysel Yildiz, 55, Thursday. The AG's office received a complaint from the Louisiana Department of Health regarding Yildiz's alleged underreporting of his income while filing for Medicaid.... more »

• Waiting on Medicaid, woman gets help from 2 On Your Side Play Video

  November 9, 2023 4:47 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A woman's Medicaid lapsed even though she submitted her renewal paperwork in on time. Heather Dillon contacted 2 On Your Side for help after she got the devastating news last month. Dillon's four year-old daughter Adeline is non-verbal autistic and has been attending therapy where she's... more »

• Hospital bill sent to collections, resolved following call to 2 On Your Side Play Video

  February 24, 2022 2:58 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Two years ago, Anne Hibbard's son was bit by a black widow spider, and it set off a storm of events that finally came to a head last week. "It's a two-year nightmare," Hibbard said. Hibbard adopted her now 20-year-old son when he was 2.... more »

• La Medicaid to launch program allowing coverage to certain children with disabilities

  December 16, 2021 6:34 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) announced Wednesday that the Centers for Medicaid and Medicaid Services (CMS) has granted approval for Louisiana Medicaid to launch Act 421 Children’s Medicaid Option, or TEFRA, effective January 1, 2022. This program allows certain children under 19 years of age... more »

• CareSouth offering open enrollment assistance to Affordable Care Health Insurance, Medicaid and SNAP applicants

  November 30, 2020 10:51 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Residents who'd like assistance applying for and enrolling in Affordable Care Health Insurance during the Open Enrollment Benefits period can obtain such assistance from CareSouth Medical and Dental until Dec. 15. CareSouth is also assisting with Medicaid and SNAP benefits enrollment. The organization's Outreach and Eligibility... more »

• Medicare, Medicaid patients now have access to certain telemedicine options

  April 1, 2020 10:10 AM

  Due to the international health crisis caused by the spread of COVID-19, the Trump administration has been taking steps to allow Medicare and Medicaid recipients access to previously restricted health care options. ABC News reports that on Monday, the administration took the unprecedented step to temporarily waive certain rules... more »

• Senator gets involved with family fighting for life-saving drug Play Video

  December 10, 2019 3:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Little Axel Dennis and his family are still waiting for their State Fair Hearing to plead their case. The 16-month-old boy is living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Type 1. While his doctors are giving him the green light for a gene replacement therapy treatment called... more »

• Baby denied life-saving drug by Louisiana Medicaid Play Video

  December 2, 2019 6:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The most expensive drug in the world could be a possible cure for a 16-month-old boy. Axel Dennis was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 at five weeks old. SMA is a genetic disease the affects muscle movement. Axel's mother, Andrea James, says her son's... more »

• 82,000 citizens could be removed from Medicaid by the end of October Play Video

  October 9, 2019 6:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Health released figures showing 82,000 people could lose Medicaid coverage by the end of the month as the state returns to its "auto-close" feature. That automated program is supposed to weed out people who are ineligible because they haven't turned in paperwork on... more »

• Taxpayers on the hook for millions of dollars following state gaffe Play Video

  September 27, 2019 6:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Nearly 75,000 of the state's low-income citizens were left on Medicaid despite an automated system the Department of Health has in place that should have booted them out. The citizens either did not turn in their paperwork on time to renew their Medicaid benefits or they sent... more »

• Medicaid billing to remain available for licensed professional counselors Play Video

  September 12, 2019 5:55 PM

  UPDATE: The Louisiana Department of Health said Monday it received the requested guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services that it was seeking. Based on the feedback of CMS, LDH says it's able to allow Federally Qualified Health Centers to bill for services provided by Licensed Professional Counselors.... more »

• Baton Rouge detox center releases statement after state halts Medicaid payments Play Video

  June 18, 2019 6:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The State Department of Health confirmed Tuesday that Medicaid stopped paying the Baton Rouge Detox Center on Foster Drive reimbursements over a lack of accreditation. The accreditation from one of three different agencies is the gold standard that the state uses and is required for clinics to get... more »

• Medicaid work requirement debate gets compromise Play Video

  April 1, 2019 10:44 PM

  MONROE - Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards announced a pilot program Monday at Louisiana Delta Community College that offers free training in high demand fields for able-bodied Medicaid recipients without dependents. The Democrat governor is no longer pushing for work requirements after years of Republican criticism about the program he... more »

• State to send out eviction notices to 37,000 nursing home residents Play Video

  May 9, 2018 6:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE- With pending cuts looming, the Department of Health took an unprecedented move Wednesday when it said it would send out 37,000 notices to Medicaid enrollees in nursing homes. They are at risk of losing funding due to the state budget shortfall. Republicans called the move a political one... more »

• Louisiana to receive $6M in EpiPen settlement

  September 12, 2017 10:23 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Louisiana has joined a multi-state settlement with Mylan Inc. that resolves allegations the drug manufacturer knowingly overcharged taxpayers for EpiPen and EpiPen Jr. dispensed to Medicaid beneficiaries. The announcement came from Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office. Mylan will pay $465 million to the federal government and... more »

• Marrero woman charged with embezzling over $500,000 via health care fraud

  February 1, 2017 5:19 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A Marrero woman has been charged with embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Medicaid program. Monica Sylvest, 52, embezzled $536,724 during her time as a practice administrator for a local pediatric clinic from August 2014 through September 2016. She embezzled the money in the... more »

• Four people arrested for Medicaid fraud

  November 7, 2016 10:54 AM

  BATON ROUGE – Four people have been arrested for Medicaid fraud, Attorney General Jeff Landry announced on Monday. Landry's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit arrested 51-year-old Djuana Richard, 45-year-old Joseph Richardson, 45-year-old Kishawn Holmes and 45-year-old Lynette Dowell. Richard was arrested on four counts on Medicaid fraud for allegedly... more »

• Three women arrested for Medicaid fraud

  October 14, 2016 11:43 AM

  BATON ROUGE – The attorney general announced the arrests of three Louisiana women on Medicaid fraud charges. Kaitlyn Hamilton, 30, along with 49-year-old Kerri Morrison, were arrested for submitting falsified service documents. Additionally, 49-year-old Jennifer Franklin was arrested for submitting time sheets and service logs for a patient she... more »

• Enrollment up 278,000 after Medicaid expansion

  August 10, 2016 12:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Since Medicaid eligibility expansion to cover working adults went into effect on July 1, more than 278,000 people have gained access to preventive and primary care through the Healthy Louisiana program, according to the State Department of Health. The DHH says the goal is cover 375,000... more »

• Medicaid to cover mosquito repellent for Zika prevention

  August 4, 2016 2:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - With the Zika virus increasing its foothold in Florida, health officials have announced that Louisiana Medicaid will cover mosquito repellent to further prevent the disease. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Thursday that as of June 1, it will adopt a policy that will... more »

• Officials see bright future for Medicaid expansion

  July 28, 2016 10:48 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The state’s expanded Medicaid program, dubbed Healthy Louisiana, is expected by officials to become the blueprint for expansion of the program across the country. Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says the state has created a plan that allows food stamp applicants to sign up for Medicaid, making... more »

• Medicaid expansion sign-up begins Play Video

  June 1, 2016 7:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Sign up for Medicaid expansion started Wednesday at CareSouth Health Clinic in Mid-City. There weren't lines out of the door since many people are signing up over the phone or by mail. "We're not being bombarded. A lot of people thought that would happen because today is the... more »

• CATS to get Medicaid money Play Video

  May 12, 2016 7:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE- CATS bus system has entered a contract with the state health department to be reimbursed for a handful of Medicaid riders. CATS will get $20 every time it provides at-home pickups for qualifying patients. The reimbursements will bring in almost half a million dollars a year... more »

• Lawmaker wants to prove politicians are lying about Medicaid Play Video

  March 30, 2016 7:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE- State Senator Ryan Gatti is taking a bold step, he sponsoring a bill he actually opposes. The Bossier City Republican wants to steal the thunder from opportunistic politicians who like to blame Medicaid patients for Louisiana's budget woes. The freshman senator said he's tired of hearing rumors... more »

• DHH says cuts could be 'catastrophic' to Medicaid patients Play Video

  January 27, 2016 4:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Department of Health and Hospitals said on Wednesday that $131 million in cuts which could come from midyear budget negotiations could be "catastrophic" for those who rely on Medicaid. DHH Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee said they submitted their plan Wednesday for how to spread the... more »

• Medicaid expansion expected to roll out in May

  January 27, 2016 1:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The state health department hopes to start signing up eligible people for Medicaid expansion by May, a spokesperson said Wednesday. Officials at the Department of Health and Hospitals believe 300,000 more Louisianans will have Medicaid cards 'in hand' and can start using them July 1. DHH... more »

• Edwards: "Shame" that Louisiana hasn't progressed further since MLK's day Play Video

  January 18, 2016 3:42 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's new governor compared his fight against poverty to the civil rights movement of the 1960's. "The shame is we haven't made as much progress as we should have," Governor John Bel Edwards said Monday Edwards, who was observing Martin Luther King Day at Mt.... more »

• Healthcare and higher ed could be broke by spring Play Video

  December 14, 2015 8:00 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Health care and higher education could be broke by spring if money isn't raised for state services. There's a $227 million shortfall for Medicaid and the college tuition program, TOPS, according to Jan Moller with the Louisiana Budget Project. "This is an extremely serious situation," said Moller.... more »

• Edwards still plans to expand Medicaid Play Video

  November 23, 2015 7:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Governor-Elect John Bel Edwards plans to expand Medicaid early on in his term. Louisiana is one of twenty states that hasn't expanded the program offered under the Affordable Care Act. "We're going to do it as soon as we can, as responsibly as we possibly can, and... more »

• Planned Parenthood sues Jindal over Medicaid order

  August 25, 2015 11:33 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Planned Parenthood filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday asking a judge to stop Governor Bobby Jindal's attempt to end their Medicaid service provider agreement, and with it Medicaid funding. Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast and three patients filed the suit requesting an injunction to stop enforcement of Jindal's... more »