• Medicaid helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.drugs image by alimat from Fotolia.com
  
  Medicaid is a state-operated, federally- and state-funded health insurance program for low-income elderly or disabled individuals, pregnant women, children and other at-risk populations. Louisiana's Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) oversees the state's Medicaid program.
  
  

Prescription Drugs

• Prescription drugs are covered under Louisiana's state Medicaid plan. Prior authorizations may be needed for certain prescription drugs or in cases where the prescription exceeds typically prescribed dosages. The Medicaid enrollee typically has a small co-payment for prescription drugs.
  
  

Dental Services

• Individuals age 20 and under may receive bi-annual dental examinations, including x-rays, fluoride treatments, cleanings and dental hygiene education. Individuals age 21 and over may receive coverage for dentures and some emergency dental services, but do not receive coverage for dental examinations and other services provided to individuals under age 21. Orthodontic braces may be covered but only in cases where the braces are deemed necessary to prevent a more serious medical condition; they may not be covered if the sole purpose is to correct spacing and alignment of teeth in the absence of risk for medical complications.
  
  

Vision Services

• Medical treatment of vision-related health issues, including cataracts and infections, is covered under Medicaid. Regular eye exams are covered for individuals age 20 and under but not for individuals age 21 and above. Contact lenses are only covered if they are the sole solution for vision correction.
  
  

Medical Transportation

• Emergency medical transportation is covered as long as this service is only utilized in cases of medical emergency. Non-emergency medical transportation is covered as long as the service is being used to access Medicaid-covered services.
  
  

Mental Health Services

• Psychiatric medication management provided by a nurse practitioner or psychiatrist, individual, group or family therapy provided by a licensed masters- or doctoral-level clinician, case management services, partial hospitalization services, supervised group living and inpatient hospitalizations are covered under Louisiana's Medicaid program.
  
  

General Medical Services

• Inpatient and outpatient medical services are covered under Medicaid. If you are enrolled in a managed care plan, you typically must have a referral made by your primary care physician to any specialists before the services of the specialist will be covered by Medicaid.