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LDH News

• February 12, 2014

  Jeff Reynolds to Succeed Jerry Phillips as LDH Undersecretary

  Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Secretary Kathy Kliebert announced today the appointment of Louisiana Medicaid Deputy Director Jeff Reynolds to succeed Jerry Phillips as undersecretary of the Department. Reynolds will assume his new responsibilities following Phillips’ retirement on March 10, 2014 from the state after 25 years of service at DHH and a 30-year career in the United States Marine Corps. Phillips was instrumental in the successful creation of nine public-private partnerships aimed at improving access and availability to care for generations of Louisiana residents to come. Following his retirement, Phillips will pursue other employment options with the State in order to ensure the continuity of those partnerships.

• February 11, 2014

  Following Chlorine Burn, CDC Test Results Negative for Naegleria Fowleri Ameba in St. Bernard Parish Water System

  Water samples taken in late January from the St. Bernard parish water system have tested negative for the rare ameba Naegleria fowleri, meaning increased chlorine levels in the system have controlled the ameba, the Department of Health and Hospitals announced Tuesday.

• February 06, 2014

  DHH Brings Parents as Teachers Program to 13 North Louisiana Parishes

  The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals’ Office of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health, in collaboration with the Southeast Louisiana Area Health Education Center, announces the recent implementation of the Parents as Teachers (PAT) home-visiting program in select areas of northern Louisiana. The voluntary and evidence-based program is currently available in the following parishes: Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Bienville, Red River, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Morehouse, West Carroll, East Carroll, Madison and Tensas.

• February 03, 2014

  Update to Planned February 4 Public Meeting Agenda

  The Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is rescinding its November 2013 emergency rule for outpatient abortion facilities licensing standards. The notice of intent to finalize the rule scheduled for a public hearing tomorrow, Feb. 4, has been removed from the hearing’s agenda. The Department will reissue a revised rule and notice of intent at a later date. Once a new notice of intent has been filed, a new public hearing will be scheduled to receive public comments.

• January 22, 2014

  Following Chlorine Burn, CDC Test Results Negative for Naegleria Fowleri Ameba in DeSoto Parish Water System

  Water samples taken earlier this month from the DeSoto Parish Waterworks District No. 1 have tested negative for the rare ameba Naegleria fowleri, meaning increased chlorine levels in the system have controlled the ameba, the Department of Health and Hospitals announced Wednesday.

• January 06, 2014

  IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Expansion of Services at Lafayette Private Partner Hospital Spotlighted in The Advocate

  LAFAYETTE — Since Lafayette General Health took over operations of the former University Medical Center six months ago, once-shuttered patient services are being restored and more changes are in the works for 2014.

• January 06, 2014

  In Case You Missed It: The Advocate Highlights Excellent Results from Bayou Health Plans’ External Review

  "Five private firms managing health care for about 900,000 Louisiana Medicaid recipients got high marks in an independent review required by federal officials.

• January 02, 2014

  2013 Louisiana Behavioral Health Partnership Transparency Report

  The charge of Act 212 of the 2013 Regular Legislative Session was to provide transparency relative to Medicaid managed care programs. Within the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH), this involves the Louisiana Behavioral Health Partnership (LBHP) and its included Coordinated System of Care (CSoC). To manage the LBHP, inclusive of CSoC, Magellan Health Services of Louisiana, Inc. (Magellan) was selected to administer the program as the statewide management organization (SMO). This report outlines responses to the requests made by the legislature in Act 212 relative to Magellan's management of care within the LBHP and CSoC.

• December 20, 2013

  Healthy and Safe Traveling During Hustle and Bustle

  Many Louisiana residents will be traveling near and far throughout the holiday season. Whether you’re driving, flying or riding, as a part of our “Healthy for the Holidays” campaign, the Department of Health and Hospitals wants you to know that there are numerous ways to ensure you make it to and from your destination both happy and healthy.

• December 19, 2013

  Bayou Health Plans Earn High Marks from External Review

  The Department of Health and Hospitals released today final External Quality Review Organization (EQRO) reports that show that the Bayou Health Plans collectively earned high marks for compliance with more than 4,000 state and federal requirements. Compliance with requirements from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is key to demonstrating that they Bayou Health Plans are effectively managing the health care of the more than 900,000 individuals enrolled in the State’s Medicaid managed care program. This is the first EQRO report to be issued for Bayou Health, which was implemented in by the Department of Health and Hospitals in 2012.

• December 17, 2013

  DHH Encourages Everyone to Stay Active During the Holidays

  Don’t wait for the New Year to live healthier. Through its “Healthy for the Holidays” campaign, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals is encouraging residents to stay active and make positive choices during the holiday season.

• December 12, 2013

  DHH Implements New Internal Audit Processes

  The Department of Health and Hospitals announced today significant improvements to its internal audit division aimed at strengthening the programs and processes that serve to protect and promote health throughout the state. Four key changes to the internal audit process have been implemented, including new risk assessment surveys, the designation of a single audit coordinator, the hiring of a new investigator and an audit "strike team" that will address urgent audit needs within the Department.