2315 LaMOMS Program

A. Pursuant to the provisions of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing shall provide health care coverage through the LaMOMS Program to Medicaid eligible pregnant women with low income under the Medicaid state plan.

B. Eligibility Requirements. Eligibility for LaMOMS coverage may begin at any time during a pregnancy, and as early as three months prior to the month of application. Eligibility cannot begin before the first month of pregnancy. The pregnant woman must be pregnant for each month of eligibility, except for the 12-month postpartum period.

C. Financial Eligibility. Effective January 1, 2014, the LaMOMS Program shall provide Medicaid coverage to pregnant women with family income up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level. For applicants with income above 133 percent of the federal poverty level, 5 percent of the federal poverty level shall be disregarded from their income.

1. Changes in income shall be disregarded during the period of pregnancy and for the 12-month postpartum period.

D. The LaMOMS program shall provide Medicaid coverage for:

1. prenatal care;

2. delivery;

3. conditions which may complicate the pregnancy; and

4. postpartum care during the 12-month postpartum period.

E. Certification Period

1. Eligibility for the pregnant women group may begin:

a. at any time during a pregnancy; and

b. as early as three months prior to the month of application.

2. Eligibility cannot begin before the first month of pregnancy. The pregnant women group certification may extend through the calendar month in which the 12-month postpartum period ends.

3. An applicant/enrollee whose pregnancy terminated in the month of application or in one of the three months prior without a surviving child shall be considered a pregnant woman for the purpose of determining eligibility in the pregnant women group.

4. Certification shall be from the earliest possible month of eligibility (up to three months prior to application) through the month in which the 12-month postpartum period ends.

5. Retroactive eligibility shall be explored regardless of current eligibility status.

a. If the applicant/enrollee is eligible for any of the three prior months, she remains eligible throughout the pregnancy and 12-month postpartum period. When determining retroactive eligibility, actual income received in the month of determination shall be used.

b. If application is made after the month her pregnancy ends, the period of eligibility will be retroactive but shall not start more than three months prior to the month of application. The start date of retroactive eligibility is determined by counting back three months prior to the date of application. The start date will be the first day of that month.

6. Coverage during the 12-month postpartum period is only available to an individual who is eligible for medical assistance under the state plan while pregnant, including during a period of retroactive eligibility.

7. Eligibility may not extend past the month in which the 12-month postpartum period ends.

a. The 12-month postpartum period begins on the last day of pregnancy.

b. The 12-month postpartum period ends the last day of the month in which the 12-month postpartum period has expired.

8. The applicant/enrollee must be income eligible during the initial month of eligibility only. Changes in income after the initial month will not affect eligibility.

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 39:3299 (December 2013), amended by the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 48:499 (March 2022).