2308 Former Foster Care Children Group

A. Pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (collectively referred to as the Affordable Care Act), the Department of Health implemented a Medicaid eligibility group, effective December 31, 2013, to provide health care coverage to youth who are transitioning out of foster care to self-sufficiency upon reaching age 18 or at a higher age selected by the department. This eligibility group is called former foster care children group.

B. Eligibility Requirements

1. For youth who turned age 18 prior to January 1, 2023, the youth must meet all of the following requirements to receive Medicaid health care coverage under this eligibility group:

a. be from age 18 to 26 years old;

b. is not eligible or enrolled in another mandatory eligibility group described in sections 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(I)-(VII) of the Social Security Act;

c. was in foster care under Louisiana’s custody and receiving Medicaid upon turning age 18 or upon aging out of foster care at a higher age elected by the state in its title IV-E plan (up to age 21); and

d. resides in Louisiana.

2. For youth who turned age 18 on or after January 1, 2023, the youth must meet all of the following requirements to receive Medicaid health care coverage under this eligibility group:

a. be from age 18 to 26 years old;

b. is not enrolled in another mandatory eligibility group described in sections 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(I)-(VII) of the Social Security Act;

c. was in foster care under the responsibility of any state and receiving Medicaid upon turning age 18 or such higher age (up to 21) as the state has elected in its title IV-E plan; and

d. resides in Louisiana.

C. Income, resources and insurance status are not considered when determining eligibility.

D. Individuals determined eligible in this group shall receive coverage of medically necessary health care services provided under the Medicaid state plan.

1. The assistance unit shall consist of the youth only.

E. Eligibility for the program will continue until the youth reaches age 26 unless the youth:

1. moves out of state;

2. requests closure of the case; or

3. dies.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254 and Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 40:2260 (November 2014), amended by the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 43:1389 (July 2017), LR 49:1728 (October 2023).