Know before you go! Louisiana Medicaid gets a new pharmacy benefits manager this fall. Here's what it means for you.
Date: 10/11/23
Starting October 28, 2023, Louisiana Medicaid is switching to Magellan Medicaid Administration to manage pharmacy benefits for all Medicaid health plans. This means Magellan will handle authorizations, claims and prescription coverage for all Medicaid health plan members in Louisiana. While we don’t expect major changes for our members, there are a few things you need to know.
What does this mean for me?
Your pharmacy benefits and copays are NOT changing.
You have been sent a new Louisiana Healthcare Connections Member ID card with updated pharmacy info.
IMPORTANT: Members were told to start using these cards on October 1. However, the date has been delayed by the Louisiana Department of Health. Please continue using your current card and begin using your new card on October 28. We apologize for the delay and any confusion this may cause. Learn more about the delay here.
Starting October 28, you will need to show your pharmacist your new Member ID card so they can fill your prescriptions. Keep using your current card through October 27. Learn more about your new Member ID card.
Members who have behavioral health-only coverage were not impacted and were not sent a new card.
If you have not yet received your new Member ID card, please call Member Services at 1-866-595-8133 (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Will my current prescriptions still be covered?
Yes! Louisiana Healthcare Connections and Magellan will continue to follow the Louisiana Medicaid Single Preferred Drug List (PDL). The PDL is a list of drugs Louisiana Medicaid members can use if prescribed. The PDL is not a complete list of covered drugs. It lists the preferred medications in the most common drug categories. All Louisiana Medicaid health plans follow the PDL.
This list can be found at www.ldh.la.gov/HealthLaPDL. If you need a medication that is not on the list, talk with your doctor about your options.
Can I keep using my current pharmacy?
Most likely. You will need to go to a pharmacy in Magellan’s network. Many Louisiana pharmacies are in their network. If your current pharmacy is in their network, nothing will change for you. If your pharmacy is not in their network, Magellan will notify you by mail.
Remember, you have options! If your current pharmacy is not in network, you can:
- Ask your doctor to send your prescriptions to a pharmacy that is in network.
- Ask your pharmacist to transfer your prescriptions to a pharmacy that is in network.
Beginning October 28, you can check if your pharmacy is in network or find an in-network pharmacy closest to you here.
DON’T FORGET: These changes do not go into effect until October 28. Keep using your current Member ID card and pharmacy through October 27.
Have questions or need help?
Beginning October 23, you can contact Magellan’s 24/7 Help Desk at 1-800-424-1664 (TTY: 711) with questions about the transition to the new pharmacy benefits manager. Effective Saturday, October 28, the Magellan help desk will be available to assist with questions about pharmacy and prescriptions. Speak another language? No problem. They have representatives who will talk to you in your preferred language.
You can also visit Magellan’s Pharmacy Portal site for more information.
In the meantime, if you have questions or need help, please call our Member Services line at 1-866-595-8133 (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. We are here to help you.