Best Health InsuranceLouisianaBest Louisiana Health Insurance (2023 Plans)
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Best Health InsuranceLouisianaBest Health Insurance in Louisiana
Best Overall in Louisiana - Blue Cross Blue Shield
Best for Low MOOP - Ambetter
Best Cheap - CHRISTUS Health Plan
Best for Low Income - CHRISTUS Health Plan
Best for Young Adults - Vantage Health Plan
Best for HMO - CHRISTUS Health Plan
Best for PPO - Blue Cross Blue Shield
Best for EPO - UnitedHealthcare
Best for POS - Blue Cross Blue Shield
Best Short-Term Insurance - National General Accident & Health
Best Overall for Health Insurance in Louisiana
Blue Cross Blue Shield is the best overall health insurance company in Louisiana, with a MoneyGeek score of 66 out of 100. Buyers can choose from multiple types of plans with this insurer.
Blue Cross Blue Shield scored above average in terms of affordability and claims management; it is among the cheapest providers in this comparison group while also approving the most claims.
The category winner was determined by analyzing data from 14 Silver HMO plans, 20 Silver POS plans, five Silver EPO plans and three Silver PPO plans in Louisiana.
MoneyGeek Pick: Blue Cross Blue Shield
pros
Has the third-cheapest average monthly premium out of five competitors
Offers more plan types than all other evaluated insurers
Denies fewer claims than any other provider
cons
Relatively high MOOP costs
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
MoneyGeek ranked Blue Cross Blue Shield as the best overall health insurance provider in Louisiana. It provides 18 Point of Service (POS) plans and three Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans. These plan types are generally more expensive, but they provide more out-of-network coverage.
Blue Cross Blue Shield's plans are the third least expensive in the state, averaging $632 a month. However, its MOOP costs are relatively expensive at $8,375. The average denial rate for this insurer is about 18%. In comparison to other insurers, this is relatively average.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Silver plans in Louisiana:
- Blue Connect 80/60 $3400 (S): $500 per month; MOOP $7,000
- Signature Blue 80/60 $3400: $510 per month; MOOP $7,000
- Blue Connect 80/60 $3400 (N): $527 per month; MOOP $7,000
Best Health Insurance in Louisiana for Low Out-of-Pocket Costs
Ambetter is the best health insurance provider in Louisiana for low out-of-pocket costs, receiving a MoneyGeek score of 58 out of 100. Out of the insurers included in our comparison group, Ambetter offers the lowest average MOOP and monthly premiums.
For this category of insurance providers, we analyzed 11 Gold POS plans, 10 Gold HMO plans, three Gold EPO plans and two Gold PPO plans.
MoneyGeek Pick: Ambetter
pros
Offers plans with the lowest average MOOP cost out of five insurers
Ranked first for its affordable monthly premiums
cons
Offers limited health plan types
Ranked last for claims management (very high denial rate)
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Ambetter offers seven Gold plans in Louisiana. The insurer has the cheapest average monthly premiums and MOOP costs out of the insurers we evaluated. On average, policies cost $644 per month and have a MOOP cost of $6,986.
However, Ambetter frequently denies policyholder claims; it has the highest claims denial rating in the comparison group of insurers. In addition, Ambetter only offers HMO plans, which are inexpensive but lack provider flexibility. If you have specific physicians and specialists that you prefer, you should verify that they are in the network of your selected provider.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following low MOOP health plans offered by Ambetter:
- Elite Gold: $689 per month; MOOP $5,000
- Elite Gold + Vision + Adult Dental: $715 per month; MOOP $5,000
- Everyday Gold: $604 per month; MOOP $7,500
Best Cheap Health Insurance in Louisiana
CHRISTUS Health Plan Louisiana offers the best affordable health insurance in Louisiana, earning a 76 out of 100 MoneyGeek score.
For this category, we placed greater weight on premium affordability. Take into account that plans with cheaper monthly premiums typically have higher out-of-pocket expenses. This trade-off may be worthwhile if you do not anticipate needing a significant amount of medical care.
MoneyGeek analyzed 14 Silver HMO plans, 20 Silver POS plans, five Silver EPO plans and three Silver PPO plans to select the category winner and recommend plans.
If you're focused soley on cost, MoneyGeek also determined the cheapest health insurance in Louisiana.
MoneyGeek Pick: CHRISTUS Health Plan
pros
Has the most affordable monthly premiums in the comparison group of insurers
Lowest denial rate in the comparison group
cons
More expensive MOOP costs, on average, than other insurers
Offers limited plan options
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
At $554, CHRISTUS Health Plan Louisiana has the cheapest average monthly premium of the five major health insurance providers. Though its plans have a low monthly cost, they also carry a high average MOOP cost of $8,920. This insurer has an outstanding track record of handling claims from policyholders, with a denial rate of less than 10%.
CHRISTUS Health Plan Louisiana offers five Silver HMO plans to buyers in Louisiana. These options are advantageous if you desire inexpensive monthly premiums and are comfortable using in-network providers.
Plan Recommendations
The top three most affordable CHRISTUS Health Plan Louisiana Silver plans are as follows:
- CHRISTUS Silver: $541 per month; MOOP $8,400
- CHRISTUS Standard Silver: $527 per month; MOOP $8,900
- CHRISTUS Silver HD: $546 per month; MOOP $9,100
Best Health Insurance for Low Income in Louisiana
CHRISTUS Health Plan Louisiana provides the best health insurance in Louisiana for low-income citizens, with a MoneyGeek score of 75 out of 100,
Our low-income category analysis exclusively rated health insurance providers offering plans with cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) and prioritized low monthly prices. This consisted of 14 Silver HMO plans, 20 Silver POS plans, five Silver EPO plans and three Silver PPO plans.
CSRs are discounts that reduce your out-of-pocket maximum and deductible if your income is below 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL), allowing you to avoid the normal trade-off of greater out-of-pocket costs for reduced premiums. CSR policies offer more cost-sharing than basic Silver plans, which cover around 70% of health care expenses. For example, for residents of Louisiana:
- Annual income between $27,180 and $33,975 (201%–250% of the FPL) qualifies for a plan that pays about 73% of health costs
- Annual income between $20,385 and $27,180 (151%–200% of the FPL) qualifies for a plan that pays about 87% of health costs
- Annual income below $20,385 (up to 150% of the FPL) qualifies for a plan that pays about 94% of health costs
Remember that these brackets change based on the number of people living in your household.
MoneyGeek Pick: CHRISTUS Health Plan
pros
Most affordable premiums for low-income individuals
Excellent provider for claims management
cons
Plans have a higher MOOP cost, on average, than other insurer’s plans
Limited plan types available
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
CHRISTUS Health Plan Louisiana is an ideal option for those with low incomes in Louisiana. Buyers that fall in the 201%–250% FPL bracket may be eligible for a plan with an average monthly cost of $544 per month and a MOOP cost of $7,180. This provider has a perfect record of accepting claims, so you can rest assured that your claim will be approved.
CHRISTUS Health Plan Louisiana offers five Silver HMOs with CSRs.
Plan Recommendations
CHRISTUS Silver is the best health insurance plan offered by CHRISTUS Health Plan Louisiana. Those with lower incomes have access to cheaper out-of-pocket expenses for the same premium:
- 201%–250% of the FPL: $541 per month; MOOP $6,950
- 151%–200% of the FPL: $541 per month; MOOP $2,400
- Up to 150% of the FPL: $541 per month; MOOP $700
Best Health Insurance for Young Adults in Louisiana
Vantage Health Plan offers the best health insurance for young adults in Louisiana, with a MoneyGeek score of 72 out of 100,
To determine the top companies for young adults, we rated providers offering Bronze or Catastrophic policies, which have the lowest premiums but the highest out-of-pocket expenses. Catastrophic policies are only offered to individuals under the age of 30.
In Louisiana, we assessed the following number of plan tiers and types for this category:
- Bronze: Four HMO plans, two EPO plans, two POS plans and two PPO plans
- Expanded Bronze: Nine HMO plans, two EPO plans, 11 POS plans and one PPO plan
MoneyGeek Pick: Vantage Health Plan
pros
Lowest average MOOP cost out of five providers
Offers more plan types than other insurers
cons
Premiums may be more expensive than comparable insurers
Rejects more claims, on average, than other insurers
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Vantage Health Plan provides four Expanded Bronze POS plans for young adults in Louisiana, with an average monthly cost of $396 and a MOOP cost of $8,125. Though more than 24% of claims are denied by this insurer, it still denies fewer claims than other providers.
Metal tiers determine the extent of your coverage. Catastrophic, Bronze and Expanded Bronze policies are favored by young adults in good health who do not regularly need medical services.
Plan Recommendations
The following are the best health plans for young adults offered by Vantage Health Plan:
- Savings Bronze 5500: $347 per month for 18-year-olds and $389 per month for 26-year-olds; MOOP $7,200
- Savings Bronze 7200: $348 per month for 18-year-olds and $390 per month for 26-year-olds; MOOP $7,200
- Essential Bronze 6500: $354 per month for 18-year-olds and $397 per month for 26-year-olds; MOOP $9,100
Best Health Insurance by Plan Type in Louisiana
Different types of health insurance plans may be offered by providers. The following are the best Louisiana providers for all available plan types:
- EPO: UnitedHealthcare (MoneyGeek score: 100 out of 100)
- HMO: CHRISTUS Health Plan Louisiana (MoneyGeek score: 60 out of 100)
- POS: Blue Cross Blue Shield (MoneyGeek score: 100 out of 100)
- PPO: Blue Cross Blue Shield (MoneyGeek score: 100 out of 100)
Please note that our recommendations are limited to Silver plans. This metal tier strikes a balance between cost and coverage, which makes it ideal for the average individual who desires adequate coverage at an affordable rate.
There are five EPO Silver plans, 14 HMO Silver plans, 20 POS Silver plans and 3 PPO Silver plans in Louisiana.
MoneyGeek Pick for HMO: CHRISTUS Health Plan
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
CHRISTUS Health Plan Louisiana offers five HMO Silver plans in Louisiana for an average monthly premium of $554 and an average MOOP cost of $8,920. It has a denial rate of 9.52%, which is lower than the other insurer in this category.
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans are the most popular type of health insurance. They often feature lower monthly premiums than other plan options, but coverage is limited to in-network providers. Additionally, you will need a referral to consult a specialist.
Plan Recommendations
We recommend the following Silver-tier HMO plans:
- CHRISTUS Silver: $541 per month; MOOP $8,400
- CHRISTUS Standard Silver: $527 per month; MOOP $8,900
MoneyGeek Pick for PPO: Blue Cross Blue Shield
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers three PPO Silver plans in Louisiana with an average monthly premium of $728 and an average MOOP of $8,350. This health insurance provider seldom declines claims.
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans are often more expensive than HMO plans, but they allow broader provider network flexibility and do not require referrals to see specialists.
Plan Recommendations
Consider the following Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO Silver plans:
- Blue Saver 90/70 $3200: $730 per month; MOOP $7,050
- Blue Max Copay 60/40 $5800 Standardized Plan: $729 per month; MOOP $8,900
MoneyGeek Pick for EPO: UnitedHealthcare
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
UnitedHealthcare offers five EPO Silver plans in Louisiana with an average monthly premium of $718 and an average MOOP cost of $9,060. This insurer has a 33.65% denial rate.
EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization) plans are cheaper than PPO plans. However, similar to HMOs, your coverage is restricted to in-network providers. Unlike HMOs, you may not need a referral for certain specialist visits.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following EPO Silver plans from UnitedHealthcare:
- UHC Silver Standard: $721 per month; MOOP $8,900
- UHC Silver Advantage: $707 per month; MOOP $9,100
MoneyGeek Pick for POS: Blue Cross Blue Shield
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
In Louisiana, Blue Cross Blue Shield provides 18 POS Silver plans with an average monthly premium of $614 and an average MOOP of $8,380. The provider’s denial rate of 17.85% is lower than the other insurer in this category.
With Point of Service (POS) plans, you can be protected in or out of network, but out-of-network coverage will be more expensive. This plan is ideal if you want the flexibility to choose out-of-network providers, for an added cost, or in-network providers.
Plan Recommendations
We recommend the following POS Silver plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield:
- Blue Connect 80/60 $3400 (S): $500 per month; MOOP $7,000
- Signature Blue 80/60 $3400: $510 per month; MOOP $7,000
Best Short-Term Health Insurance in Louisiana
With a MoneyGeek score of 95 out of 100, National General Accident & Health is rated as the best short-term health insurance company in Louisiana.
Unlike plans that comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), short-term health insurance plans don’t include all the necessary health benefits. Because of this, it is not recommended as a permanent health insurance solution.
National General Accident & Health
MoneyGeek ranked National General Accident & Health as the best short-term health insurance provider since it provides one of the highest coverage limits out of the insurers we evaluated. The insurer’s contract terms are flexible, ranging from three months to three years.
National General Accident & Health also offers PPO plans with different prescription drug coverages, cost-sharing alternatives, waiting periods and application fees.
How to Find the Best Health Insurance for You in Louisiana
The best Louisiana health insurance provider for you will depend on your budget and health care requirements — how much are you willing to spend monthly versus when you receive health care? The following tips can help you get health insurance.
Understand when a health insurance plan will cover you
HMO plans typically offer lower monthly rates than other plan types but restrict your access to in-network providers. Additionally, a referral is required to see a specialist. PPO plans are typically more expensive than HMO plans, but they offer a more flexible provider network and do not require referrals to see specialists.
EPOs are less expensive than PPOs. EPOs are similar to HMOs in that policyholders are required to use in-network providers, but unlike HMOs, you may not require a referral to see a specialist. With POS plans, you can use in- or out-of-network providers, but out-of-network providers will cost more.
There are 17 EPO plans, 51 HMO plans, 64 POS and 11 PPO plans in Louisiana.
Weigh the cost of premiums vs. the cost of care
Typically, plans with lower monthly premiums have higher out-of-pocket expenses. For instance, Blue Cross Blue Shield's Blue Connect 80/60 $3400 (S) costs $500 per month and has a MOOP cost of $7,000. This means that the most you will pay out of pocket in a year (excluding your monthly premium) is $7,000.
Consider Louisiana Medicare or Medicaid if You’re Eligible
Those age 65 or older, as well as individuals with a qualifying disability or sickness, may be eligible for Medicare. This is a federal health insurance program that subsidizes medical care for eligible individuals.
Medicare consists of three parts:
- Part A (Hospital Insurance): Covers hospitalizations, certain home health care services, nursing institutions and hospice care.
- Part B (Medical Insurance): Covers outpatient services such as doctor visits and preventive care.
- Part D (Prescription drug coverage): Assists with the expense of prescription medications.
In addition, you can review the best Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans in Louisiana to find a plan with sufficient coverage for your needs.
Medicaid, another federal program, offers health coverage to people with incomes below a state-determined level. Louisiana is among the states that have expanded Medicaid coverage. In Louisiana, if your household income is at or below 138% of the FPL for your household size, you may qualify for Medicaid.
Frequently Asked Questions About Health Insurance in Louisiana
Cost and availability are common concerns when comparing health insurance policies. Here, we provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
About Brenna Kelly, Licensed Health Insurance Agent
