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Bayou Health Request for Proposals Posted Today
The Request for Proposals (RFP) for Louisiana's Medicaid managed care program called Bayou Health was made available on the Louisiana Procurement and Contract Network site today.
LDH News
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DHH Reports State’s First West Nile Virus Death
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is reporting the state’s first West Nile virus death of 2014. The death occurred in Caddo Parish. This week, DHH is confirming six new cases of West Nile virus, including the one death, bringing this year's total number of cases to nine. This week's new infections include four cases of neuroinvasive disease, with two cases in Caddo Parish, one case in East Baton Rouge Parish and one case in St. Tammany Parish. The state has one new case of West Nile fever in Caddo and one new asymptomatic case in Livingston Parish. In addition to these new cases, a previously reported asymptomatic case in Livingston Parish has been upgraded to West Nile fever.
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State Improving Bayou Health in Next Round of Contracts
Baton Rouge, La. - The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) announced plans for substantial improvements today to the State's Medicaid managed care program called Bayou Health. The anticipated changes will improve budget predictability, provide greater opportunity and incentives for managed care organizations (MCOs) to improve recipient health outcomes, add benefits for Bayou Health recipients, and will streamline coordination between Bayou Health and the State's behavioral health managed care program. These changes will be outlined in new program rules and contracts, anticipated to begin on February 1, 2015.
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DHH Reports 2014’s First Human Cases of West Nile Virus
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has reported the state's first human cases of West Nile virus of 2014. The three cases were recently confirmed in Livingston Parish and were all asymptomatic, meaning these individuals did not know they were infected, and only found out while donating blood or having blood work.
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Health Department Advises ‘Take Precautions when Swimming’
The summer vacation season is upon us. That means fun in the sun and staying cool in the inviting waters of Louisiana’s beaches, rivers, lakes and pools. Before jumping in for a refreshing swim, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals reminds everyone to be safe and cautious. A fun and exciting day on the water can quickly turn tragic, and people can become sick if they don’t know the risks and take precautions.
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DHH Medicaid Medical Director Receives Health Care Heroes Award
Today, New Orleans CityBusiness honored recipients of its annual Health Care Heroes program. Dr. Rebekah Gee, Department of Health and Hospitals Medicaid Medical Director, was one of the physicians receiving the award for her work as Assistant Professor of Public Health and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the LSU Schools of Public Health and Medicine.
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DHH to Appeal State Plan Amendment Denial
Late this afternoon, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) was notified by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that the remaining state plan amendments (SPAs) for the public-private partnerships have been denied. This is an unprecedented step by the federal government that contradicts earlier approval actions by CMS. The Department will appeal the decision by CMS through an administrative appeal. There is no short-term budget impact as a result of the CMS decision.
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Louisiana Medicaid Offers Applied Behavioral Analysis Services
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Majority of Water Systems Comply with LDH Emergency Rule Requiring Higher Disinfectant Levels in Drinking Water
The Department of Health and Hospitals on Monday announced that around 95 percent of the state’s drinking water systems have complied with an emergency rule issued last year requiring increased disinfectant levels in drinking water and increased monitoring of water quality.
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DHH Announces Contract Recommendation for Statewide Dental Benefits Program Manager
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals today announced that Managed Care of North America Dental (MCNA) is being recommended for the contract as the Dental Benefits Program Manager to provide dental services for 1.2 million Medicaid and LaCHIP enrollees.
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DHH Issues Emergency Rule Banning the Sale or Use of Eight Additional Synthetic Drugs
The Department of Health and Hospitals today issued an Emergency Rule banning the sale or use of eight additional synthetic cannabinoids, commonly marketed as synthetic marijuana, following reports from law enforcement officials of a high number of associated drug overdoses in recent weeks.
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DHH Announces 2014 Regular Session Legislative Package
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) today announced its 2014 Regular Session Legislative Package, which includes five bills that promote the health and welfare of pregnant women and their children, strengthen home and community-based services and make technical clarifications to previous legislation.