Teh Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is embarking on a new chapter with the proclamation of three key initiatives aimed at addressing some of the state’s moast pressing healthcare challenges. [[2]] These efforts, spearheaded by the newly appointed Secretary Bruce Greenstein, are designed to improve health outcomes, ensure program stability, and save taxpayer money.

Secretary Greenstein expressed his enthusiasm for the task ahead,stating,Today,I hit the ground running. The Department has a great team in place that has started moving the needle for our state’s healthcare system. Our new initiatives will improve health outcomes while saving taxpayer money.

The initiatives represent a significant portion of the Department’s overall vision, focusing on behavioral health, Medicaid efficiency, and combating fraud, waste, and abuse, all while maintaining the highest standards of patient privacy and security.

Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Task Force: A Multi-Pronged Approach

The LDH is launching a comprehensive Fraud, Waste, and abuse Task force targeting key areas to safeguard taxpayer dollars and ensure the integrity of the Medicaid program.

• Data-Sharing Partnership: The LDH and the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) will initiate a data-sharing partnership starting April 23. This collaboration aims to improve the accuracy of Medicaid rolls by identifying individuals holding active driver’s licenses in other states, preventing the state from paying unnecessary premiums.
• AI Data Project: Partnering with LA DOGE and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL), the LDH will leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to detect and address waste, abuse, and fraudulent practices within Louisiana Medicaid.
• Enhanced collaboration: The LDH Program Integrity Unit will work more closely with the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) to enhance the detection, inquiry, and prosecution of fraudulent activity, maximizing recoveries for the Medicaid program.

Reforming Medicaid Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM)

A significant shift in the Louisiana Medicaid pharmacy program is underway, moving away from a single Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) model. The goal is to bring patients and providers closer together, reducing the impact of intermediaries.

This policy change aims to address the continued closures of independent and chain pharmacies, which threaten patient access across Louisiana. As MCOs assume greater responsibility for beneficiaries’ total healthcare, the LDH will require them to operate pharmacy programs that prioritize access, control costs, and ensure the financial stability of the state’s Medicaid system.

Project M.O.M. (Maternal Overdose Mortality): Saving Mothers, Protecting families

recognizing the devastating impact of accidental opioid overdose as the leading cause of pregnancy-associated death, the LDH is launching Project M.O.M.,a statewide initiative to reverse this alarming trend.

Project M.O.M.will focus on several key strategies:

• Advocating for evidence-based opioid use disorder training for prescribers in hospitals and residency programs.
• Increasing the availability of life-saving medications like naloxone and buprenorphine in pharmacies.
• Allocating opioid settlement funds by local leaders to critical resources such as peer recovery coaching, residential treatment beds, and outpatient clinics.

Building on prosperous Louisiana pilot programs, Project M.O.M. will expand the following best practices statewide:

• Placing the opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone in mothers’ hands at discharge.
• Boosting universal substance-use screening in birthing hospitals.
• Linking emergency department overdoses to rapid outpatient treatment.

The initiative sets an ambitious goal of reducing pregnancy-associated opioid overdose deaths by 80% within three years, possibly saving the lives of an estimated 65 mothers annually and protecting countless infants from loss or foster care placement.

The LDH plans to publish a detailed roadmap and appoint a program director within 30 days, convene hospital and community partners within 90 days to enhance data tracking, and align managed-care and hospital incentive payments over the next six months to support access to treatment.

We don’t need a new drug to solve this crisis — Louisiana already has the tools. Project M.O.M.will focus our hospitals, pharmacies, and community leaders on one mission: keeping mothers alive and families intact,
Deputy secretary dr. Pete Croughan

By addressing the opioid crisis affecting mothers, the LDH aims to strengthen behavioral healthcare for all Louisianans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Louisiana Medicaid?

Medicaid provides government-backed health insurance to low-income families, pregnant people, seniors in nursing homes, and those with disabilities. [[1]]

how many people in Louisiana are covered by Medicaid?

Approximately 1.6 million people, or a third of the state’s population, receive health insurance through Medicaid. [[1]]

What is Project M.O.M.?

Project M.O.M. (Maternal Overdose Mortality) is a statewide effort to reduce pregnancy-associated deaths caused by accidental opioid overdose.