The Guide to the Most Affordable Marketplace Health Insurance Plans in Louisiana
Here’s a startling number: in 2021 there were roughly 27.5 million uninsured Americans. Although this number is down from 2019, many nonelderly individuals still require health insurance. Thanks to Medicare, fewer than 1% of people over the age of 65 are uninsured, but younger people are left in a lurch.
Cost plays a significant role in whether a person/family can afford health insurance in Louisiana. Luckily, you can select one of the affordable health insurance options available to you through the Louisiana Marketplace. You may also qualify for Medicaid or Medicare, depending on several eligibility factors.
This helpful guide explains what you need to know about the best affordable healthcare plans in Louisiana.
Louisiana Marketplace Health Insurance
Louisiana participates in a federally facilitated health insurance exchange. This means residents can access HealthCare.gov and enroll in various exchange plans during open enrollment periods. These health insurance plans are the federal government’s responsibility and are part of the Affordable Care Act.
You can enroll yourself or your family from November 1 to January 15. This applies to on-exchange and off-exchange enrollees.
Anyone who wishes to enroll outside of the open enrollment window needs a qualifying event. This qualifying event might be a pregnancy, having a baby, adopting a child, or a drop in annual income.
Who Participates in the Louisiana Marketplace?
If you purchase insurance through the Louisiana Marketplace, you’ll have access to six insurance agencies. Coverage varies by location, but you can choose from any of the following healthcare providers:
- Ambetter from Louisiana Healthcare Connections
- Vantage Health Plan
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana (merging with Elevance/Anthem in 2023)
- Christus
- UnitedHealthcare
- HMO Louisiana
You can even purchase dental insurance through the Louisiana Marketplace.
Medicaid
You might qualify for Medicaid in Louisiana. To qualify, the Social Security Administration (SSA) must send you Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
You may also qualify if you receive any type of financial support from the Office of Family Support (OFS). This financial support comes from the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP).
Other individuals who may qualify for Medicaid are disabled (this must be in accordance with the Social Security Administration), have corrected vision that’s worse than 20/200, or are a parent with children under the age of 19 and are considered low-income.
You might also qualify if you’re under 19, are pregnant, or require cervical cancer/breast cancer treatment (and are uninsured).
Anyone who is considered low-income and receives Medicare may qualify. Additionally, individuals between the ages of 19 to 64 may qualify if they satisfy all citizenship requirements are have a household income that is less than 138% of the poverty level federally.
You can apply for Medicaid online, download and print an application, call their customer service center, apply in person, or contact the statewide Medicaid Application Center.
Medicare
Anyone at least 65 years of age can qualify for Medicare in Louisiana. Keep in mind that you must be a legal citizen or have been a citizen for at least the last five years to qualify.
You might qualify for Medicare before the age of 65 if you satisfy a few requirements. For example, you might qualify if you received some type of Social Security based on disability.
You might also qualify early if you receive Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits. You would need to have received these benefits for at least 24 months.
If you’re living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you may qualify early.
Comparing Affordable Health Insurance Plans
The price you pay for health insurance in Louisiana varies from plan to plan and the type of coverage you select. Cheap health insurance in Louisiana consists of bronze, silver, gold, and platinum plans.
Bronze Plans
The most affordable health insurance in Louisiana starts with bronze health insurance plans. These plans come with the lowest monthly premium. However, this means you’ll pay the highest amount out of pocket for medical care.
You’ll usually have a high deductible as well. This deductible can reach the thousands every year.
Bronze health insurance plans are ideal for anyone who needs worst-case health insurance. This might be an injury or serious illness.
Silver Plans
The next step up is a silver health insurance plan. These plans have more moderate monthly premiums.
You’ll also pay more moderate prices when you need medical care, along with a lower deductible compared to the available bronze plans. If your requirements are moderate medical care annually, this is a good choice.
Gold
Gold plans have higher premiums every month, but offer lower monthly costs if you need any type of medical care. You’ll also pay lower deductibles. If you need regular medical care every year, this plan is worth looking into.
Platinum
The highest package is the platinum health insurance plan. Platinum health insurance plans usually have the highest monthly premiums (compared to the other three options), but have the lowest cost when you do need medical care.
This means lower deductibles. If you need a lot of medical coverage every year, the platinum plan is ideal.
No matter what plan you choose, The REAL Insurance Lady can walk you through your options for health insurance in Louisiana.
Health Insurance in Louisiana
If you need healthcare in Louisiana you can access the Louisiana Marketplace. From there, you’ll have six health insurance companies to choose from. No matter what your price point is, there is health insurance in Louisiana that fits the needs of you and your family.
The REAL Insurance Lady understands that choosing the best insurance plan can be difficult. That’s why we walk you through all of your available options and help to determine your eligibility for assistance with your monthly premiums. We also provide help with finding health, life, Medicare, dental, disability, and vision insurance.
T.R.I.L. is dedicated to helping you find the best health insurance plan for you and your family and can do so by phone, mail, email, or in person. Reach out to us today to learn more about our services.
