MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News)- As part of a state-wide tour, leaders from the state Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) went to Monroe Tuesday. The department wants the public's input about upcoming medicaid changes.
A failing investment is what the Department of Health called the state's Medicaid system in December. But now the DHH has rolled out a new approach, called Bayou Health, a program the state finished enacting this month. It is part of a plan to move Louisiana out of 49th place in almost every health category. "We are all Louisianans and we all want the best for our state." said Rodney Wise, Medicaid Medical Director.
Wise says pharmacy services are not included in the medicaid-covered benefits, an issue the department is looking to change for some recipients. "Our plans are to put pharmacy into the plans, but the structure of that, we're here to get input." Monroe was the second stop in a six city tour to outline plans and get input about the pharmacy benefit.
"We want to do this in a way, that is acceptable to the recipient, to providers to pharmacist" Wise says the overall goal is to save tax payer money by keeping people healthy and out of the hospital. The DHH hopes to have a final plan implemented with the pharmacy changes by this fall.
The pharmacy benefits will apply to many enrolled in the Bayou Health Program. But 62% of medicaid recipients will stay in the state pharmacy program, which Wise says they are also looking to revamp.
The DHH has three more forums scheduled:
Tuesday, June 19 -Shreveport 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. LSU Health Sciences Center - Shreveport Medical School Auditorium Building C - Room 1-400 1501 Kings Highway Shreveport, LA 71130 (Reserved parking will be available)
Wednesday, June 20 -Alexandria 1-3 p.m. Convention Hall 915 3rd St. Alexandria, LA 71309
Tuesday, June 26 - Greater New Orleans 6-8 p.m. West Bank City Council General Government Building 200 Derbigny St., 6th floor Gretna, LA 70053
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:27:15 GMT
TALLULAH, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Board members at Madison Parish Hospital put the CEO on administrative leave earlier this month and they told us why on Tuesday.
TALLULAH, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Board members at Madison Parish Hospital put the CEO on administrative leave earlier this month and they told us why on Tuesday.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:11 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:11:30 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - One person has died, following a collision between a train and a car in northern Ouachita Parish. Also, another person is injured after that wreck.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - One person has died, following a collision between a train and a car in northern Ouachita Parish. Also, another person is injured after that wreck.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:50:08 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Update: Monroe Detectives have completed their interviews with the pregnant victim of the shooting that happened on Stacy Drive over the weekend.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Update: Monroe Detectives have completed their interviews with the pregnant victim of the shooting that happened on Stacy Drive over the weekend.
