Louisiana is a mid-size Medicare Advantage market with strong penetration and active competition from both national carriers and a notable regional plan. About 525,000 Louisianians were enrolled in MA in 2026, roughly 55% of the state's Medicare-eligible population. That penetration rate puts Louisiana above the national median and reflects the state's Medicaid expansion in 2016, which increased dual-eligible D-SNP enrollment significantly.
What makes Louisiana distinctive: Peoples Health is the dominant regional carrier, concentrated in the Greater New Orleans metro and Southeast Louisiana parishes. Peoples Health operates as part of the UnitedHealthcare family — confirm your physicians are in-network before enrolling (UnitedHealthcare acquired Peoples Health directly in 2018) but retains its Louisiana-branded identity and local provider relationships. BCBS Louisiana's Blue Advantage PPO earned 4.5 stars in 2026, the highest rating in the state. Ochsner Health Plan exited the MA market effective December 31, 2025, shifting approximately 6,000 enrollees to other carriers.
This guide covers the 2026 Louisiana Medicare Advantage market: total plan count, top carriers, plan type breakdown, parish-level variance, and the enrollment dates you need. The Annual Election Period is October 15 to December 7, 2026, with coverage starting January 1, 2027.
2026 Medicare Advantage Market Overview in Louisiana
In 2026, Louisiana has 117 Medicare Advantage plans available, with 525,000 beneficiaries enrolled (55% MA penetration). The average monthly premium is $13 and the statewide average Star Rating is 3.9.
Top Medicare Advantage carriers in Louisiana (2026)| Carrier | Plans | Avg Star Rating | Avg Premium |
|---|
| Humana | 28 | 4.0 | $10/mo |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana | 18 | 4.3 | $22/mo |
| UnitedHealthcare | 16 | 3.8 | $8/mo |
| Peoples Health | 14 | 3.9 | $5/mo |
| Aetna | 15 | 4.2 | $14/mo |
| WellCare (Centene) | 12 | 3.5 | $0/mo |
| Devoted Health | 8 | 4.2 | $0/mo |
| Healthy Blue Louisiana (Anthem) | 6 | 3.8 | $0/mo |
Source: CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025, NerdWallet 2026 Louisiana MA Review, Healthline Medicare Louisiana 2026, CMS Monthly Medicare Enrollment August 2024
Plan Types in Louisiana: HMO vs PPO vs SNP
Medicare Advantage plan-type breakdown in Louisiana| Plan Type | Est. Plans | Avg Premium | Best For |
|---|
| HMO / HMO-POS | 68 | $9/mo | Lower premiums, primary care coordination, willing to use network providers |
| PPO | 26 | $24/mo | Flexibility to see out-of-network providers, no referral required |
| Special Needs Plan (SNP) | 22 | $0/mo | Dual-eligible (Medicaid + Medicare), chronic conditions, institutional care |
| PFFS / Other | 1 | $0/mo | Uncommon in Louisiana; limited availability |
HMO and HMO-POS plans account for about 58% of all Louisiana MA plans. SNP plan count is significant due to Louisiana's Medicaid expansion (2016) and high dual-eligible population. Estimates based on CMS plan type distributions.
Source: CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025, MedicareAdvantage.com Louisiana 2026
County-Level Variance in Louisiana
Louisiana is organized into parishes rather than counties. Plan availability varies sharply between metro parishes and rural ones. Greater New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport have the most plan choices; rural central and north Louisiana parishes often have 15 to 25 plans. Premiums follow the same pattern: urban competition drives premiums down while rural parishes average $5 to $15 higher per month.
Plan count and average premium by county in Louisiana| County | Plans Available | Avg Premium |
|---|
| Orleans Parish (New Orleans) | 50 | $9/mo |
| Jefferson Parish (Metairie) | 46 | $10/mo |
| East Baton Rouge Parish | 38 | $12/mo |
| Caddo Parish (Shreveport) | 28 | $14/mo |
| Winn Parish (Winnfield) | 16 | $20/mo |
Plan counts and premiums are approximate, sourced from CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025 and MedicareAdvantage.com parish-level data. Use your ZIP code at medicare.gov for exact options.
Source: CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025, MedicareAdvantage.com Louisiana by County 2026
What to Look For in a Medicare Advantage Plan in Louisiana
Picking a Medicare Advantage plan in Louisiana requires looking past the premium. Here is what matters for shopping in 2026:
- Provider network. Confirm your primary care physician, specialists, and preferred hospital are in-network before enrolling. After Ochsner Health Plan exited the MA market in 2026, some Ochsner-affiliated providers moved to other carrier networks. Verify current network status directly with your doctor's office.
- Prescription drug coverage (formulary). Most Louisiana MA plans include Part D drug coverage. Check that your specific medications are on the plan's formulary at a tier you can afford. The 2026 Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 across all plans (set by the Inflation Reduction Act, signed August 2022).
- Star Ratings. CMS rates plans 1 to 5 stars annually on quality of care, member experience, and customer service. BCBS Louisiana's Blue Advantage PPO earned the highest Louisiana rating (4.5 stars) for 2026. Plans rated 4 stars or higher receive bonus CMS payments that fund richer benefits. No Louisiana plan holds a 5-star rating in 2026.
- Extras (dental, vision, hearing, OTC, transportation). Louisiana MA plans vary widely on supplemental benefits. Some plans include quarterly over-the-counter allowances ($50 to $150), free rides to medical appointments, and hearing aid coverage. Check the Evidence of Coverage for dollar limits and what's actually covered.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP). The 2026 federal MOOP ceiling for in-network MA is $9,250 (down from $9,350 in 2025). Most Louisiana plans set MOOP lower, typically $4,500 to $7,000 in-network. Original Medicare has no MOOP, making MA's annual cost cap a significant protection.
- Dual eligibility and D-SNPs. Louisiana expanded Medicaid in 2016, and a meaningful share of the Medicare population also qualifies for Louisiana Medicaid (Healthy Louisiana). Dual-eligible beneficiaries can enroll in Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs), which typically have $0 premiums and $0 or near-zero copays. Louisiana has more than 20 D-SNP plans in 2026.
- Prior authorization burden. Louisiana MA plans, like all MA plans, can require prior authorization for specialist visits, advanced imaging, and surgeries. If you have a chronic condition or anticipate significant care needs, review each plan's prior authorization requirements and CMS-published denial rates before enrolling.
Key Medicare Dates in Louisiana
Medicare and Medicare Advantage have multiple enrollment windows. Missing them can mean waiting a full year or facing late enrollment penalties.
- Annual Election Period (AEP): October 15 - December 7, 2026 — Switch between Original Medicare and MA, change MA plans, or change standalone Part D plans. Coverage starts January 1, 2027.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP): January 1 - March 31, 2026 — Existing MA enrollees can switch to a different MA plan or return to Original Medicare. One switch allowed per year.
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7-month window around your 65th birthday — Starts 3 months before your 65th birthday month, includes your birth month, and runs 3 months after. Enroll in Medicare Parts A and B first, then choose an MA plan or Original Medicare plus Part D.
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Varies by qualifying event — Triggered by moving out of your plan's service area, losing employer coverage, gaining or losing Medicaid dual-eligibility, or other qualifying life events. Typically a 2 to 3 month window from the triggering event.
Notable Extras in Louisiana Plans
Louisiana's Medicare Advantage market has several state-specific features worth knowing:
- Medicaid expansion and D-SNP growth: Louisiana expanded Medicaid in 2016 under the Healthy Louisiana program, making hundreds of thousands of low-income adults newly eligible. Many Louisiana seniors now qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid simultaneously, qualifying them for Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs). Louisiana has more than 20 D-SNP plans in 2026 from carriers including BCBS Louisiana, Peoples Health, UnitedHealthcare, Healthy Blue (Anthem), and Aetna. D-SNPs typically have $0 premiums and significantly reduced cost-sharing.
- Ochsner Health Plan market exit (2026): Ochsner Health Plan, the MA plan operated by Louisiana's largest hospital system, exited the Medicare Advantage market effective December 31, 2025. Former Ochsner Health Plan members were transitioned to other carriers during AEP 2025. If you previously had Ochsner's MA plan, your coverage moved automatically if you did not actively re-enroll. Verify your current 2026 plan by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or checking your Medicare card.
- Peoples Health as a regional anchor: Peoples Health is one of the most recognized Medicare Advantage brands in Louisiana, particularly in the Greater New Orleans metro area. Though now a UnitedHealthcare company, Peoples Health maintains its Louisiana identity, local provider relationships, and community health programs. It is among the top three plans by enrollment in Orleans Parish. Peoples Health plans are available in Louisiana only.
- Hurricane and disaster SEPs: Louisiana is frequently affected by hurricanes and federal disaster declarations. When the President declares a major disaster in Louisiana, affected Medicare beneficiaries may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to change MA plans or move to Original Medicare, regardless of the standard enrollment calendar. Monitor your local emergency alerts and medicare.gov for disaster-related SEP announcements after any major weather event.
Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare in Louisiana
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) gives you nationwide provider freedom and no prior authorization for most services — see Medigap vs Medicare Advantage if you're considering the Original Medicare track, but you pay 20% of every Part B service with no annual cap. A Medigap supplement and standalone Part D plan close those gaps, but combined premiums in Louisiana typically run $150 to $350 per month. Medicare Advantage bundles hospital, medical, and usually drug coverage into one plan averaging $13 per month statewide in 2026, trading network restrictions and prior authorization requirements for lower monthly costs and an annual out-of-pocket ceiling.
Louisiana retirees who travel frequently to other states, or who split time between Louisiana and another residence, should consider Original Medicare plus Medigap for nationwide coverage. Retirees who spend most of their time in Louisiana and value lower total cost, dental and vision extras, and coordinated care often benefit from Medicare Advantage. The Ochsner Health Plan exit in 2026 is a reminder to verify your provider's in-network status with any MA plan before enrolling.
Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare in Louisiana detail | Original Medicare | Medicare Advantage (LA avg) |
|---|
| Monthly premium | $202.90 (Part B only) | $13/mo avg |
| Annual deductible | $1,736 inpatient (Part A); $283 Part B | Varies by plan, many $0 |
| Annual out-of-pocket cap | None (unlimited) | Up to $9,250 in-network (2026 federal max) |
| Provider choice | Any Medicare-accepting provider nationwide | In-network providers (HMO) or broader (PPO) |
| Dental/vision/hearing | Not covered | Often included (varies by plan) |
Part B premium is $202.90/mo standard in 2026. Part A inpatient deductible is $1,736 per benefit period. MOOP federal ceiling for MA in-network is $9,250 in 2026.
Source: CMS 2026 Medicare costs, CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025
Star Ratings in Louisiana: What the Numbers Mean
CMS publishes Medicare Advantage Star Ratings each October, scoring plans 1 to 5 on roughly 40 quality measures: management of chronic conditions, customer service responsiveness, member complaint rates, and Part D drug safety. A plan rated 4 stars or higher earns a quality bonus from CMS, which plans typically reinvest into richer benefits the following year.
Louisiana's 2026 statewide weighted average is approximately 3.9 stars, close to the national average of roughly 3.8 to 4.0. BCBS Louisiana's Blue Advantage PPO leads the state at 4.5 stars. Aetna and Devoted Health both hold 4.2-star ratings in Louisiana. No Louisiana plan achieved 5 stars in 2026 (5-star plans trigger a year-round Special Enrollment Period). When comparing plans, check Star Ratings at medicare.gov rather than relying solely on carrier marketing materials.
Dual Eligibility and D-SNPs in Louisiana
If you qualify for both Medicare and Louisiana Medicaid (administered through the Healthy Louisiana managed care program), you are dual eligible. Dual-eligible Louisiana beneficiaries can enroll in a Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP), which coordinates both programs under one plan. D-SNPs in Louisiana typically have $0 monthly premiums, $0 primary care copays, and minimal or no cost-sharing on prescriptions. Louisiana has more than 20 D-SNP plans available in 2026 from carriers including BCBS Louisiana, Peoples Health, UnitedHealthcare, Healthy Blue (Anthem), and Aetna.
Dual-eligible beneficiaries have additional enrollment flexibility: they can switch MA plans once per quarter during Q1, Q2, and Q3, plus once more during AEP. If your Medicaid eligibility status changes, you also receive a Special Enrollment Period. To check if you qualify for Medicaid in Louisiana, contact the Louisiana Department of Health or call LaSHIP (Louisiana Senior Health Insurance Program) at 1-800-259-5300.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Louisiana in 2026?
Louisiana has 117 Medicare Advantage plans available statewide in 2026, up from 112 in 2025. The number available to you depends on your parish and ZIP code. Orleans Parish (New Orleans) has about 50 plans; East Baton Rouge has about 38; rural parishes may have 15 to 25 options. Search by ZIP code at medicare.gov for your exact count.
What is the average Medicare Advantage premium in Louisiana for 2026?
The statewide weighted-average Medicare Advantage premium in Louisiana dropped to about $13 per month in 2026, down from $22 in 2025. All Louisiana residents with Medicare have access to at least one $0 premium plan. Premiums are higher for PPO plans (around $20 to $30/mo) and lower for HMO and SNP plans (many at $0).
When can I sign up for Medicare Advantage in Louisiana?
The main enrollment window is the Annual Election Period (AEP) from October 15 to December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027. You can also enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period (a 7-month window around your 65th birthday), during a Special Enrollment Period triggered by a qualifying event (moving, losing employer coverage, gaining Medicaid), or during the MA Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31, 2026) if you are already in an MA plan.
Who are the top Medicare Advantage carriers in Louisiana?
The leading carriers in Louisiana for 2026 are Humana (largest plan count), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana (highest Star Rating at 4.5 for its PPO), UnitedHealthcare, Peoples Health (a Louisiana-focused UHC brand dominant in the New Orleans area), Aetna, WellCare, and Devoted Health. Ochsner Health Plan exited the market effective December 31, 2025.
What is Peoples Health and is it the same as UnitedHealthcare?
Peoples Health is a Louisiana-based Medicare Advantage carrier that has historically been one of the most enrolled plans in Southeast Louisiana, especially in the New Orleans metro. Peoples Health is now a UnitedHealthcare company following UnitedHealthcare's direct acquisition of Peoples Health in 2018, but it continues to operate under its own brand with Louisiana-specific provider relationships and community programs. Peoples Health plans are available in Louisiana only.
Do I qualify for a Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) in Louisiana?
You qualify for a D-SNP if you are enrolled in both Medicare and Louisiana Medicaid. Louisiana expanded Medicaid in 2016, so eligibility is broader than in non-expansion states. D-SNPs in Louisiana typically have $0 premiums, $0 copays for primary care, and near-zero out-of-pocket prescription costs. Contact the Louisiana Department of Health or call LaSHIP at 1-800-259-5300 to check your Medicaid eligibility.
What happened to Ochsner Health Plan members in 2026?
Ochsner Health Plan ended its Medicare Advantage contract effective December 31, 2025, and no longer offers coverage for the 2026 plan year. Former members who did not actively re-enroll in a new plan during AEP 2025 were transitioned to a different plan. If you were affected, confirm your current 2026 coverage by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or logging into your MyMedicare.gov account.
Does Medicare Advantage cover dental, vision, and hearing in Louisiana?
Most Louisiana Medicare Advantage plans include some level of dental, vision, and hearing benefits, which Original Medicare does not cover. Coverage varies by plan: some cover only preventive dental cleanings and eye exams, while others cover fillings, crowns, hearing aids, and prescription eyewear. Always check the Evidence of Coverage for the specific annual dollar limits before enrolling. Louisiana has no state-specific law expanding these extras beyond federal MA rules.
