Healthy Blue will exit at the conclusion of its Medicaid managed care contract, effective December 31, 2026; members will continue receiving Medicaid coverage through another health plan

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) announced today that its Medicaid managed care contract with Healthy Blue will end on December 31, 2026. Current Healthy Blue members’ coverage will continue through that date and will then be enrolled with one of the four remaining Healthy Louisiana health plans with new coverage beginning January 1, 2027.   

The transition will not affect members’ Medicaid eligibility. Members will continue to have Medicaid coverage and will receive information and resources to help them transition to another plan without interruption to the care and services they rely on.  

“For the people we serve, the measure of a successful transition is simple: Can they continue seeing their doctors, filling their prescriptions, and receiving the services they need?” said LDH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein. “That is the standard guiding our work. We are planning carefully, communicating directly with members, and coordinating with our health plan partners to protect continuity of care throughout this process.”   

“Significant efforts are already underway,” said Louisiana Medicaid Executive Director Seth Gold. “Additional resources for affected members will be available to ensure this is a seamless transition, and no one is left without the coverage they need.”  

More than 290,000 Medicaid members are currently enrolled with Healthy Blue. LDH is working closely with Healthy Blue, the four remaining managed care organizations, providers, and the Healthy Louisiana enrollment broker to coordinate the transition.

Healthy Blue’s website will be updated soon with details, including the message: “Since 2012, it has been our privilege to serve Louisiana Medicaid members, and since 2017, to serve Medicaid and Medicare Dual Eligible members through Healthy Blue Louisiana in collaboration with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. Our focus remains on serving you through December 31, 2026. Until then, continue to use your Healthy Blue benefits and get the care and services you need. We are working with the Louisiana Department of Health to help make this change as smooth as possible. Thank you for allowing us to serve you.” 

What Healthy Blue members should know  

Healthy Blue members will receive a member letter explaining their health plan options, important deadlines, and next steps. This letter will arrive by mail from Healthy Blue by October 1, 2026. 

Members will have the opportunity to select one of the four remaining Healthy Louisiana health plans during a special enrollment period from October 15 to November 16, 2026. Members who do not select a plan will be assigned to one before January 1, 2027.  

When assigning members, LDH will make every effort to:

• Keep members of the same family enrolled in the same health plan.  
• Place members in a plan that includes their in-network health care providers.  

Members may compare plans and make a selection in the following ways:  

• Online: myplan.healthy.la.gov
• By phone: 855-229-6848, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Mobile app: Through the Healthy Louisiana app, available from Google Play and the App Store

Members who choose a new plan during the special enrollment period will receive a welcome packet and identification card from their new plan. Digital identification cards will also be available through the LA Wallet app.  

LDH will provide additional information about existing prior authorizations, prescriptions, scheduled appointments, and other continuity-of-care protections before the transition.  

Healthy Louisiana health plans  

Beginning January 1, 2027, Healthy Louisiana Medicaid managed care services will be provided through:  

• Aetna Better Health  
• AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana  
• Humana Healthy Horizons in Louisiana  
• Louisiana Healthcare Connections  

Members currently enrolled in one of these four plans are not affected and do not need to take any action.  

This change applies only to Medicaid members enrolled with Healthy Blue. It does not affect private insurance coverage provided through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana.  

LDH will continue communicating with Healthy Blue members and providers throughout the transition. Member notices, frequently asked questions, and other resources will be available at ldh.la.gov/medicaid/medicaid2027.

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