Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (Louisiana Blue) Billing Guide
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Louisiana Blue is the brand name of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (behavioral health page). The provider site moved from bcbsla.com to lablue.com.
Checked 10/1/26.
Quick facts
| Blue company | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (Louisiana Blue) |
|---|---|
| Lines in the EDI guide | Louisiana Blue commercial, FEP, BlueCard, Blue Advantage (Medicare Advantage), Healthy Blue (Medicaid) (5010 companion guide) |
| Payer ID | Not published as a payer ID. The companion guide gives receiver ID BCBSLA001. Confirm the payer ID with your clearinghouse or the EDI team |
| EDI help | 1-800-716-2299, |
| Paper claims (professional) | Louisiana Blue Claims Department, PO Box 98029, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9029 (2026 Professional Manual) |
| Timely filing | Within 15 months of the date of service, or the time in the member's contract (Section 7) |
| Appeals | Louisiana Blue Medical Appeals, PO Box 98022, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9022, fax 225-298-1837 (2026 manual) |
| Customer Care | 1-800-922-8866 |
| Behavioral health | In-house medical management team for authorizations (behavioral health page) |
| Behavioral health authorizations | 1-800-991-5638 (2026 manual). Portal: iLinkBlue |
| Credentialing | CAQH only (2026 manual) |
| State regulator | Louisiana Department of Insurance |
Private payer: behavioral health
Louisiana Blue lists prior authorization for inpatient, detox, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential treatment and ABA. The page does not list routine outpatient psychotherapy on that list.
Medicaid
Healthy Blue is Louisiana's Blue Medicaid plan. It has its own prefixes (XHB, JLA). Do not bill it as commercial.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Louisiana Blue filing limit?
Within 15 months of the date of service, or the time in the member's contract.
Who handles Louisiana Blue behavioral health authorizations?
Louisiana Blue's in-house medical management team. Call 1-800-991-5638.
Where do Louisiana Blue appeals go?
Louisiana Blue Medical Appeals, PO Box 98022, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9022, fax 225-298-1837.
How MCM South helps
MCM South bills Blue plans for psychotherapists and psychiatrists in the states we serve. We verify benefits, submit claims electronically, follow up on denials and appeals, and handle credentialing. Get a free quote. If a Louisiana Blue claim is denied or credentialing stalls, we follow up for you.
MCM South currently serves practices in GA, MA, CT, TX, FL, NY, CO, TN, NC and IL, and has worked in all 50 states. If your state is not on that list, ask us. This page is operational guidance for billing, not legal advice. For real financial or legal exposure, talk to your attorney or compliance officer.
Related: Blue Cross by State · How Blue Cross Blue Shield Works · Billing Terms Glossary · CPT and E/M Code Guide · Who We Serve.
This is the MCM South guide to Louisiana Blue for therapists and psychiatrists: where claims go, how appeals work, and what to check first.
Want a billing team that handles this for you? MCM South bills for psychotherapists and psychiatrists. Get a free quote.