Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 50 - PUBLIC HEALTH-MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
Part XXXI - Refugee Medical Assistance
Chapter 1 - Refugee Medical Assistance Program
Section XXXI-101 - General Provisions

A. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, Public Law 82-414, allows states to provide medical assistance, during the one-year period after entry, to any refugee who does not qualify for assistance under a State Plan approved under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. The Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) Program provides medical assistance to refugees and asylees in Louisiana who are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid/SCHIP coverage. Under the authority of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, the Department of Health and Hospitals hereby assumes responsibility for the administration of the RMA Program.

B. The Refugee Medical Assistance Program is a short-term, federally funded program designed to ensure that refugees receive the medical care they need while transitioning to life in the United States.

C. Refugee medical assistance is available to all individuals with the immigration status of refugee or asylee.

D. All recipients who receive refugee cash assistance through the Office of Refugee Resettlement, and who are not eligible for a regular Medicaid/SCHIP program, shall be certified for RMA.

E. A refugee who has been certified in a regular Medicaid program and loses that coverage because of increased earnings from employment, and is within the eligibility time period, shall be transferred to RMA.

F. Retroactive coverage does not apply to RMA.