Updated: January 28, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Humana has the best HMO and PPO Medicare Advantage plans in Louisiana with strong 4-star CMS ratings.
Wellcare provides the best HMO-POS plans in Louisiana at an average premium of $32 per month with $4,200 MOOP limits.
Make sure your preferred doctors and hospitals are in-network and that your prescriptions are covered. Review all costs carefully, including monthly premiums and out-of-pocket maximums, to find the plan that suits you.
After reviewing CMS star ratings, premiums, out-of-pocket maximums, and plan features, we identified the best Medicare Advantage plans in Louisiana.
Humana dominates the state's Medicare Advantage market, ranking highest for both HMO and PPO plans with 4-star CMS ratings. Wellcare leads the HMO-POS category with a 3.5-star rating and $32 average monthly premium with out-of-pocket expenses capped at $4,200.
| HMO | Humana | 4.00 | $0 | $2,900 | Humana FMOL Baton Rouge H1951-053 (HMO) |
| HMO-POS | Wellcare | 3.50 | $32 | $4,200 | Wellcare Assist (HMO-POS) |
| PPO | Humana | 4.00 | $33 | $6,100 | HumanaChoice H7617-080 (PPO) |
Medicare Advantage plans cover hospital stays, doctor visits and prescription drugs in one comprehensive package from private insurers. These Part C plans serve as alternatives to Original Medicare and must include all traditional benefits while adding extras like dental and vision care.
Best HMO & PPO
CMS Star Rating
Plan Types
Best HMO-POS
CMS Star Rating
Plan Types
Louisiana’s HMO Medicare Advantage has just two insurers offering plans statewide. Humana and Aetna provide distinct options that differ sharply in quality, cost protection, and plan availability.
Humana dominates Louisiana's HMO landscape with a broad offering of 13 plans and a strong 4-star CMS rating. Aetna has only one zero-premium plan with a much higher $6,750 MOOP and a lower 3.42-star rating.
| Humana | 4.00 | $0 | $2,900 | 13 | 5.00 |
| Aetna | 3.42 | $0 | $6,750 | 1 | 3.75 |
HMO plans work well for seniors who don't mind working within smaller provider networks and want their primary doctor to coordinate specialist care through referrals. You'll pay lower monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs compared to other Medicare Advantage options. They're ideal if you value affordability and prefer having one physician manage your overall healthcare needs.
HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans in Louisiana have a strong mix of quality and affordability. Of the 10 available plans, seven earn 4-star CMS ratings, and none fall below 3 stars. Annual out-of-pocket maximums average $5,571 for the plan type, though limits range widely from $3,500 to $9,250.
| Wellcare | 3.50 | $32 | $4,200 | 3 | 5.00 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 4.00 | $63 | $4,606 | 4 | 4.50 |
| Peoples Health | 4.00 | $0 | $5,833 | 3 | 4.44 |
If you're looking for lower premiums than PPO plans but more flexibility than standard HMOs, HMO-POS plans might be your sweet spot. These plans let Louisiana residents access out-of-network providers when needed while keeping monthly costs affordable through their primary care focus. They're ideal if you primarily stay in-network but want the security of seeing specialists outside your network without referrals. You'll pay more for those out-of-network visits, but you'll save significantly on monthly premiums compared to PPO coverage.
Louisiana has 17 PPO Medicare Advantage plans, which cost more than HMO options but provide greater flexibility to see providers both in and out of network. Monthly premiums range from $0 to $160, with a $0 median premium statewide. Average out-of-pocket maximums are $6,291 and range from $4,000 to $9,250. Plan quality is strong, with 11 plans earning 4.5-star CMS ratings and the remaining options rated 3.5 stars.
| Humana | 4.00 | $33 | $6,100 | 8 | 5.00 |
| Aetna | 4.50 | $6 | $7,964 | 5 | 4.42 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 4.50 | $60 | $5,314 | 3 | 4.40 |
| Peoples Health | 2.50 | $0 | $6,700 | 1 | 3.92 |
PPO plans offer maximum flexibility at higher monthly costs. You can see any provider without referrals and visit out-of-network doctors when needed, though staying in-network saves money. These plans work well for Louisiana residents who value provider choice and may need specialized care.
Your ideal Medicare Advantage plan depends on three key factors: your care requirements, financial situation and desired network flexibility. Consider these aspects when picking Louisiana coverage that matches your priorities.
Contact your doctors and hospitals to verify they're in the plan's network, not just with the insurance company generally. Each plan from the same insurer can have different provider networks.
Plans with no premium may carry higher out-of-pocket costs through copays and deductibles. Factor in your expected medication expenses and typical specialist visits when calculating annual costs.
Look up your medications on the plan's formulary to confirm they're covered and check their tier level. Higher tiers mean higher copays, and some drugs need prior authorization from the plan.
Pick an HMO plan type for the lowest premiums and coordinated care. HMO-POS works if you want occasional out-of-network flexibility. PPO suits frequent travelers wanting unrestricted specialist access.
Star ratings measure plan quality, service and member satisfaction on a 1-5 scale. Higher-rated plans—especially those with 4 or 5 stars—deliver superior care and customer service.
Plans often add benefits like dental coverage, vision care, fitness memberships and allowances for over-the-counter health items in Louisiana. Prioritize extras that match your health needs.
Out-of-pocket maximums protect you from excessive medical expenses by capping what you pay annually. Plans with lower caps offer stronger financial protection but charge higher monthly premiums.
Medicare Advantage costs in Louisiana vary widely by plan type, reflecting differences in flexibility and cost protection. PPO plans have the highest average monthly premiums at $18, even though many still offer $0 premiums, while HMO-POS plans sit in the middle at $29 per month. HMOs are the most affordable, averaging just $8 monthly with a $0 median premium.
Out-of-pocket limits are also important to consider when comparing plan costs. HMOs offer the strongest cost protection, averaging $4,251 annually, compared with $5,571 for HMO-POS plans and $6,291 for PPOs, nearly twice the HMO average.
| HMO | $0 | $8 | $4,251 |
| HMO-POS | $0 | $29 | $5,571 |
| PPO | $0 | $18 | $6,291 |
| Regional PPO | $189 | $189 | $3,300 |
Get answers about enrollment processes, what's covered and enrollment timing for Medicare Advantage plans available to residents across the state.
Enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period or the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7). Apply through Medicare.gov, insurance companies, or licensed brokers. You may also qualify during other qualifying periods.
Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare does plus often include prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing services, and fitness memberships.
Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with bundled private insurance including networks, while Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare covering deductibles and copays.
Louisiana offers multiple Medicare Advantage enrollment periods: the Annual Enrollment Period runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, plus Jan. 1 through March 31 for current enrollees.
We analyzed Medicare Advantage plans using a weighted scoring system that prioritizes affordability and quality. Our methodology scores three main factors to help you find plans that offer the best value for your health care needs.
This scoring system helps you compare plans objectively while accounting for what matters most: what you'll pay and the quality of care you'll receive.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
