States Louisiana

Opt-Out:

Every newborn born in Louisiana will be screened unless their parent or guardian objects to participation. This is not encouraged and it is important to discuss this option with your doctor in order to make the most informed decision about your newborn’s health as possible.

Support for families:

One of the concerns some families may have when they find out their child has a condition detected through the newborn screening program is the increase in health care costs. Fortunately, Louisiana has many laws and programs which have been put in place to make treatment of these conditions more affordable for families who are looking to provide the best care to their loved ones.

If your child has private insurance, including HMOs, self-insurers, employee welfare benefit plans, health, hospital or medical expense insurance, accident or sickness insurance, they are required to cover low protein food products for your child. The coverage will only apply to formulas and foods obtained from an approved source and the coverage may still be subject to deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. The maximum benefit is $200 per month.

The State health department newborn screening program and WIC provide special formulas to treat inborn errors of metabolism of guidelines regarding clinical and dietary management services and administrative guidelines are followed. In order to get special formulas for treatment from the state’s Genetic Disease Program and/or Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Infants, Women, and Children (WIC) the patient must be a resident of Louisiana, must receive clinical and dietary management services through a metabolic center, provide necessary blood specimens, dietary records, all insurance forms relative to charges for special formula must be signed and submitted by the parent, and the parent must inform the Genetics Program Office if any changes to insurance occurs.

In addition to provisions which help families obtain the medical formulas and foods necessary to treat their loved one, Louisiana's Children's Special Health Services Program provides medical and family support services to Louisiana children with special health care needs and their families. Children’s Special Health Services serves as the principle public agency to assure that children and youth with special health care needs in Louisiana have access to health care services designed to minimize their disability and maximize their probability of enjoying an independent and self-sufficient life.

More specifically, Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) are those who have or are at increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition and who also require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children and youth generally. To find out what medical and family support services your child may be eligible for, fill out the application located on the CYSHCN website.

Family-to-family support is available for families whose children are identified as deaf or hard of hearing. If your child is identified as DHH, the EHDI program Early Intervention Coordinator will contact you and explain the benefits of early intervention and support from another parent. In Louisiana, the EHDI program refers families to the Louisiana Hands and Voices program so families may be paired with another parent whose child is also DHH, has received specialized training, and can be an asset and support moving forward. This program, Guide By Your Side, is free of charge for families and can provide one-on-one support, virtual monthly parent chats, and opportunities for families to network through planned events.

Storage and Use of Dried Blood Spots:

After your newborn’s blood has been run through the screening process, there will be a bit of blood remaining on the sample card which is called a “residual dried blood spot”. In Louisiana, the residual dried blood spot storage will be stored for one month. While in storage, the state public health laboratory may conduct experiments, projects, and other undertakings to develop tests to improve the detection of metabolic and genetic conditions.

Laboratories within the Southeastern region (Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee) may exchange blood spot samples with different states.

To see a copy of the blood spot card used in Louisiana click here.