Page 18

Louisiana Medicaid Eligibility Manual Eligibility Factors

Issued January 7, 2026 Page 18 of I-1550 Replacing November 13, 2025

Revised/added text indicated by underscore Deleted text indicated by “**”

I-1554 MAGI INCOME BUDGETING

Self-Attestation of Income

Self-attested income is unverified income information provided by the applicant/beneficiary. Accept the self-attested income amount when the reasonable compatibility standard is met.

 Attestation is above data sources: o If the individual's self-attested income is above the data sources, the self-attested income is used.  Attestation is below data sources: o Prior to September 7, 2025: If the individual’s self- attested income is below data sources, consider it reasonably compatible and use it if the difference is less than 10 percent; if the difference is 10 percent or more, request a reasonable explanation from the individual. o Effective September 7, 2025: If the individual’s self- attested income is below data sources, accept it as reasonably compatible and use it if the difference is less than 4 percent; if the difference is 4 percent or more, request a reasonable explanation from the individual. • If the reasonable explanation is accepted, the self-attested income is used. The case must be documented with a note that includes the details that weighed on the decision.  Attestation cannot be confirmed through electronic data sources, such as in the cases of new employment: o Use self-attested income.  If a parent applying for their child refuses to provide their SSN so that we can confirm attestation through electronic data sources, we must request income verification from the parent.