Centene Medicaid Plan May Drop Ochsner Network in Louisiana
Louisiana Healthcare Connections, a Centene-managed Medicaid plan, has told Ochsner Health System it may terminate coverage of Ochsner hospitals and clinics after Dec. 1, potentially affecting 70,000 enrollees. The two sides have negotiated a new contract since Louisiana Healthcare Connections first raised the possibility in June but have not reached agreement; Ochsner asked the Louisiana Department of Health to help extend the deadline and ensure payment for services already rendered. State Medicaid director Seth Gold said affected enrollees could switch plans and warned Louisiana Healthcare Connections could face penalties if it cannot show adequate provider access without Ochsner. The plan's $5.8 billion contract extension with the state is scheduled for legislative budget committee review this week.