FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2015

Commissioner Donelon Clarifies Distinction between Louisiana Healthcare Connections and Louisiana Health Cooperative

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is clarifying that Louisiana Healthcare Connections is open for business in the state and should not be confused with the Louisiana Health Cooperative, a health maintenance organization (HMO) created under the Affordable Care Act. Last week, the 19th Judicial District Court granted Commissioner Donelon control of the Louisiana Health Cooperative. The decision followed the Louisiana Department of Insurance’s on-site review and analysis of the Louisiana Health Cooperative’s operations and recommendation that it be placed in Rehabilitation.

“Louisiana Healthcare Connections is not connected to the Louisiana Health Cooperative. It is part of the Bayou Health network providing services to Medicaid recipients in our state,” said Commissioner Donelon. “I want to assure the public that Louisiana Healthcare Connections is fully operational and there are not any issues that should deter anyone – whether they are members or a healthcare provider – from doing business with them.”

About the Louisiana Department of Insurance: The Louisiana Department of Insurance works to improve competition in the state’s insurance market while assisting individuals and businesses with the information and resources they need to be informed consumers of insurance. As a regulator, the LDI enforces the laws that provide a fair and stable marketplace and makes certain that insurers comply with the laws in place to protect policyholders. You can contact the LDI by calling 1-800-259-5300 or visiting www.ldi.la.gov.