Louisiana WIC Medical Provider Resources
The Louisiana WIC Program serves as a gateway to the following coordinated health initiatives and services:
- Nutrition and health screening
- High – risk nutrition assessment and counseling
- Education to include eating more fruits and vegetables
- Education about iron-deficiency anemia
- Breastfeeding promotion and support
- Prenatal care referrals
- Prenatal weight gain monitoring and education
- Immunization assessment and referrals
- Education for cessation of smoking, drugs and alcohol use
One of the primary benefits of the WIC Program is the supplemental food packages. These food packages are issued on WIC EBT cards and allows participants and caregivers to purchase WIC approved foods at any of the 400 WIC grocery stores throughout Louisiana.
The WIC food packages are developed with USDA regulations. They include items low in fat, high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals and include foods that are culturally appropriate. In addition, breastfeeding support is a high priority, as is overall nutrition and nutrition education for women and children.
The goal is to help participants meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Healthy People 2030 Objectives and follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for infant nutrition. If you have a patient that you would like to refer to WIC, click here.
Check out our Healthcare Provider Guide for all things WIC and how WIC helps your patients with overall health and nutrition.
WIC-48 FAQs
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Is it acceptable to approve a WIC-48 if the only diagnosis is diarrhea or constipation?
No, the conditions of diarrhea or constipation must be associated with an underlying condition, which must be included on the WIC-48 (See snapshot from WIC-48 form below).
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Is the list of formulas on the backside of the WIC-48 form a complete list of available formulas?
No, while the list of formulas on the backside of the WIC-48 form is extensive, WIC staff should refer providers to the Exhibit A Formulary on the Louisiana WIC website for the most complete and current list of available WIC formulas. This list will be updated as formulary changes occur and will always provide the most current list of formulas.
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Is milk protein allergy a qualifying condition/diagnosis?
A diagnosis of milk protein allergy is not approved as a sole qualifying condition/diagnosis for prescribing a more expensive exempt formulas because standard soy formula is available without a prescription. However, if a provider indicates milk protein allergy and other underlying conditions (such as with diarrhea, severe allergies, GERD, etc.) in writing, the request may be approved.
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Is inadequate growth a qualifying condition/diagnosis?
- Yes, inadequate growth is a qualifying condition/diagnosis. However, this diagnosis is only valid for infants 6 months old or younger. Continuation of an exempt formula based on a diagnosis of inadequate growth will require reassessment by a medical provider with prescribing authority when the infant turns 6 months old. Please refer to page 2 of Louisiana WIC Participant Qualifying Medical Conditions for Approved Exempt Formulas and Nutrition Risk Codes on the Louisiana WIC website.
- All other growth concerns are NOT qualifying conditions/diagnoses unless an underlying condition or diagnosis is identified.
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Are dermatitis or hypersensitivity qualifying conditions/diagnoses?
Yes, these conditions fall under “severe allergies,” which is a qualifying condition. However, the allergies must be a confirmed diagnosis by the medical provider and not self-diagnosed or self-reported by the participant.
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If an infant’s previously approved WIC-48 does not expire until after the infant turns 6 months old, is staff required to request a new WIC-48?
- No, a new WIC-48 is not required. However, if the provider selects “omit infant cereals and/or infant fruits and vegetables” on the previously approved WIC-48, a new WIC-48 is required before infant cereals and/or infant fruits and vegetables can be issued to the participant.
- The medical provider must check whether or not to include or omit infant cereal and fruit/vegetables. For infants with an active WIC-48, WIC staff should not assume to start infant cereal and fruit/vegetables at 6 months when the medical provider did not indicate such on the WIC-48.