The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) confirmed Tuesday that the state’s managed‑care agreement with Healthy Blue will terminate on Dec. 31. The decision will affect over 290,000 Medicaid members who have been enrolled in the Healthy Blue plan since 2012.

Transition timeline and options

Members will retain Medicaid eligibility and can use their Healthy Blue benefits through the end of the year. Starting Jan. 1, they must enroll in one of four remaining Healthy Louisiana plans: Aetna Better Health, AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana, Humana Healthy Horizons in Louisiana, or Louisiana Healthcare Connections. LDH will send letters to members by Oct. 1 outlining their options and the steps required to change plans.

A special enrollment period runs from Oct. 15 through Nov. 16. Anyone who does not select a plan during that window will be automatically assigned to one before Jan. 1. LDH officials said they will prioritize keeping members of the same family together and will try to place them in plans that include their current in‑network providers.

Why the change matters for families

“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?” LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein said. The administration emphasized that continuity of care is the guiding standard.

Louisiana Medicaid Executive Director Seth Gold added, “Significant efforts are already underway. 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.” The department will issue further guidance on how the switch will affect prior authorizations, prescription refills, scheduled appointments, and other continuity‑of‑care issues.

Context: a second managed‑care shift this year

This is the second major Medicaid managed‑care change in 2026. Earlier in March, UnitedHealthcare’s Medicaid contract ended after LDH chose not to renew it, prompting nearly 280,000 members to move to other plans on April 1. The Healthy Blue transition follows a similar pattern of consolidating Medicaid enrollment into a smaller set of state‑run plans.

While the Healthy Blue contract ends, private insurance offered through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana remains unaffected. The move is framed as a way to streamline administration and improve oversight of Medicaid services for Louisiana’s most vulnerable families.

What families should do now

• Watch for the Oct. 1 mailed notice from Healthy Blue.
• Review the four available plan options during the Oct. 15‑Nov. 16 enrollment window.
• Contact LDH’s member services line with any questions about provider networks or prior authorizations.
• If you miss the enrollment window, expect to be assigned to a plan before Jan. 1, with LDH working to keep your family’s care continuity intact.

Louisiana’s effort to keep Medicaid recipients covered and connected to their health‑care providers reflects the state’s commitment to supporting families and preserving individual liberty through reliable access to essential services.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.