Best Cheap Health Insurance in Louisiana (2025)
HMO Louisiana is the best health insurance company in Louisiana. Its cheapest Silver plan costs $459 per month before discounts.
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Best and cheapest health insurance in Louisiana
Cheapest health insurance companies in Louisiana
Ambetter has the cheapest health insurance plans in Louisiana. The cost of a Silver plan starts at $458 per month before discounts.
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Affordable health insurance in Louisiana
Company |
Cost
| |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter | $458-$618 |
| HMO Louisiana | $459-$641 | |
| Christus Health Plan | $489-$638 | |
| UnitedHealthcare | $631-$730 |
- Ambetter is the cheapest company in Louisiana. Its cheapest Silver plan costs $458 per month, which is almost $200 lower than the state average. However, the same plans aren't available everywhere. That's why the cheapest plan in your city or town could be from Christus Health Plan or HMO Louisiana.
- You can get cheaper rates if you qualify for discounts called subsidies. Many people don't have to pay full price for health insurance because subsidies can lower the costs based on income.
- Choosing a Bronze plan is another way to lower your monthly costs. However, the best level of coverage for you depends on your medical needs. You'll pay more of your medical costs with a Bronze plan than with a Silver plan. That's why Bronze plans are usually the best choice when you're healthy.
Best health insurance companies in Louisiana
The best health insurance for most people in Louisiana is from HMO Louisiana, a subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS).
- HMO Louisiana has good customer satisfaction, low prices, a variety of plan options and a low rate of complaints. This means you'll get a good deal on high-quality coverage
- The trade-off with HMO Louisiana is that many plans only give you coverage at a small network of doctors and hospitals. For example, one plan in New Orleans is connected to the Ochsner Health system and might not give you access to other doctors unless it's an emergency.
Best-rated health insurance companies in Louisiana
Company |
Editor rating
|
ACA rating
|
|---|---|---|
| HMO Louisiana | 4.0 | |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of LA | 3.0 | |
| Christus Health Plan | 2.0 | |
| UnitedHealthcare | 1.0 | |
| Ambetter | N/A |
The two top health insurance companies in Louisiana are both Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana subsidiaries (HMO Louisiana and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana). They're both now operating under the brand "Louisiana Blue," although you'll still see both companies listed separately on HealthCare.gov.
The two companies have the highest customer satisfaction ratings and are the most popular choice in Louisiana with about 82% of all plans in the state.
Best doctor network: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana gives you access to many doctors and hospitals across the state and country.
With the BCBS plans, you'll pay less if you go to a doctor that's connected to the plan, but you'll have some coverage for any doctor. This is because plans are PPOs (preferred provider organizations).
The downside is that its PPO plans are some of the most expensive in the state, starting at $749 per month before discounts. This high cost is usually only worth it for frequent travelers, those with specialized health needs and those who prefer certain doctors.
How much does health insurance cost in Louisiana?
Health insurance in Louisiana costs an average of $654 per month if you pay full price or $65 per month if you qualify for discounts based on your income.
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- Health insurance gets more expensive as you get older. Rates increase slowly when you're young. Then after age 40, the cost of health insurance can increase quickly as you age. A 60-year-old with a Silver plan pays an average of $1,388 per month for health insurance in Louisiana. That's more than double what a 40-year-old pays.
- A health insurance plan with more coverage will cost more. You'll get better coverage with a Gold plan because it will pay for more of your health costs. However, a Gold plan will cost more each month than a Silver or Bronze plan. The higher monthly cost is usually only worth it if you need ongoing or expensive medical care.
Get affordable health insurance in Louisiana
In Louisiana, the average cost of health insurance after discounts is $65 per month.
- Most people in Louisiana don't have to pay full price for health insurance when shopping on the marketplace. That's because you can get discounts called subsidies to make insurance more affordable based on your income.
- How much you pay is based on your income, and the lower your income is, the less you'll pay for health insurance. More than half of shoppers in Louisiana paid less than $10 per month for a health insurance plan.
Are you eligible for affordable health insurance?
You're typically eligible for discounted health insurance in Louisiana if you make between $15,606 and $60,240 per year as a single person or between $31,200 and $124,800 per year as a family of four. You may qualify with a higher income if health insurance costs are high because of your age or where you live. Use a subsidy calculator to find out if you're eligible and how much you'll pay.
If you have a low income, you might qualify for Medicaid in Louisiana. If you are able to get Medicaid, you can't get subsidies from HealthCare.gov.
Cheapest health insurance by city
In New Orleans, the cheapest Silver health insurance plan is Ambetter's Standard Silver, which costs $471 per month. But in Baton Rouge, the cheapest is the Community Blue 80/60 plan from HMO Louisiana, which costs $494 per month.
However, rates aren't always that low. In other parts of the state, the cheapest Silver plan can cost $600 per month. Where you live determines which health insurance plans you can get and how much they cost.
Cheapest health insurance by Louisiana parish
Parish | Cheapest Silver plan | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Acadia | HMO Louisiana Blue Connect 80/60 (L) | $547 |
| Allen | HMO Louisiana Blue POS 80/60 | $576 |
| Ascension | HMO Louisiana Community Blue 80/60 | $494 |
| Assumption | HMO Louisiana Blue POS 80/60 | $550 |
| Avoyelles | HMO Louisiana Blue POS 80/60 | $600 |
Cheapest Silver plan with rates for a 40-year-old
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- HMO Louisiana is the cheapest health insurance company for about half the people of Louisiana, including many rural parts of the state.
- Ambetter has the cheapest plans in many large cities, such as New Orleans and Shreveport.
Best health insurance by coverage level
Silver health insurance plans are a good level of coverage for most people because the plans give you a balance between your monthly costs and how much you'll pay for medical care.
The best and most affordable health insurance for you depends on how much medical care you expect to need. The rule of thumb is that when you need more medical care, it's worth it to pay more for a plan that gives you better coverage.
Gold plans: Best if you have high medical costs
| Gold plans pay for about 80% of your medical care. |
Gold plans have the best coverage you can get in Louisiana because the plans will pay the largest share of your medical bills. But Gold is the most expensive tier, with an average cost of $675 per month, before subsidies.
It's usually worth it to pay for a Gold plan if you expect to need expensive medical care, such as surgery, or are managing a chronic health condition.
Silver plans: Best coverage for most people
| Silver plans pay for about 70% of your medical care. |
Silver plans are a good middle ground. They usually have better coverage than Bronze plans and cost less than Gold plans. This makes them a good choice if you need a moderate amount of medical care.
Silver plans cost an average of $654 per month in Louisiana. And they're the most popular coverage level in the state.
Bronze plans: Best for healthy people who have savings for an emergency
| Bronze plans pay for about 60% of your medical care. |
Bronze plans have the cheapest monthly costs in Louisiana, at an average of $481 per month, but you'll pay the most for your medical care.
Bronze plans can be a good choice if you don't expect to need much care and can afford to cover a large bill if you have an unexpected expense, such as if you break your leg.
All tiers of coverage provide free checkups and preventive care. They'll also protect you from very high bills, such as if you get very sick or badly injured.
Cheap or free health insurance in Louisiana if you have a low income
Programs for affordable coverage can help if you're struggling to pay for medical care or health insurance. Your income usually determines which program you're eligible for.
Medicaid: Free health insurance in Louisiana
If you earn less than about $21,000 as a single person or $44,000 as a family of four, Medicaid is the best way to get free or low-cost health insurance.
If you're pregnant or a minor, you may also qualify for Medicaid with a higher family income level. Louisiana expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act in 2016, allowing more people to qualify.
Louisiana's Medicaid benefits are through the government, but you can pick the insurance company that manages your Medicaid coverage. The company you choose will pay medical claims, decide which doctors you can use and offer any plan extras.
What's the best Medicaid plan in Louisiana?
Cost-sharing reductions for cheaper medical care
If you make too much to qualify for Medicaid, you could get the best deal with a Silver health insurance plan.
You can get cheap medical care if you choose a Silver plan and your income is between $15,060 and $37,650 per year as a single person or $31,200 and $78,000 per year as a family of four. This is through a program called cost-sharing reductions.
If you qualify, the savings will automatically be applied to Silver plans when you're shopping on HealthCare.gov.
Are health insurance rates going up in Louisiana?
Louisiana health insurance costs got 5% cheaper across all coverage tiers between 2024 and 2025. Gold plans saw the biggest decrease, costing 8% less for 2025.
Tier | 2024 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $496 | $481 | -3% |
| Silver | $666 | $654 | -2% |
| Gold | $736 | $675 | -8% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
About the Louisiana health insurance marketplace
HealthCare.gov is the Louisiana health insurance marketplace where you can shop for coverage. All plans will follow the rules of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
-
Plans must cover essential benefits such as prescriptions and mental health care.
- You won't be charged more or denied coverage because of your health history.
- Preventive care such as checkups and screenings are free as soon as the plan begins.
Average cost of health insurance by family size in Louisiana
A family of four pays an average of $2,090 per month for health insurance in Louisiana.
Children are cheaper to insure than adults. Adding a child to your health insurance plan costs an average of $391 per month.
Family size | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Individual | $654 |
| Individual and child | $1,045 |
| Couple, age 40 | $1,308 |
| Family of three | $1,699 |
| Family of four | $2,090 |
Averages are based on a Silver plan for 40-year-old adults and children who are under age 15.
The cost of family health insurance is based on both the health plan you choose and the ages of your family members. For children under the age of 15, monthly health insurance premiums remain flat. Once a child turns 15, the cost of health insurance begins to increase as they get older.
Short-term health insurance in Louisiana
A short-term health insurance plan can be a cheap way to get temporary health coverage.
However, these plans are best if you're waiting for a regular health insurance plan to begin. If you need longer-term coverage, sign up for a plan on HealthCare.gov, which you can cancel at any time.
Pros of short-term health insurance in Louisiana
Cons of short-term health insurance in Louisiana
Frequently asked questions
Which private health insurance company is cheapest in Louisiana?
Ambetter has the cheapest private health insurance plans for individuals and families. The cheapest Silver plan costs $458 per month if you pay full price. However, how much you pay is based on your income. More than half the shoppers in Louisiana pay less than $10 per month for insurance after discounts.
How much is health insurance per month in New Orleans?
Health insurance in New Orleans costs an average of $599 per month for a 40-year-old with a Silver plan. The cheapest health insurance in New Orleans is Ambetter's Standard Silver plan, which costs $471 per month. That's a savings of about $128 per month compared to the average.
Does Louisiana have Obamacare?
Yes, Louisiana residents can enroll in Obamacare health insurance by shopping on HealthCare.gov. You'll be able to choose from about five health insurance companies, and how much you pay for a plan is often discounted based on your income.
How much is Blue Cross Blue Shield in Louisiana?
The cheapest Silver plans from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana cost $749 per month for a 40-year-old. A cheaper Blue Cross subsidiary called HMO Louisiana sells plans that start at $459 per month. But with these plans, you'll have to get a referral before seeing a specialist.
Methodology
Louisiana health insurance costs for 2025 are based on government data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Costs are based on a 40-year-old with a Silver plan, unless otherwise noted. Plans and providers for which parish-level data was included in the CMS Crosswalk file were used in our analysis; those excluded from this dataset may not appear.
The cost for plans with subsidies comes from data for all shoppers during 2024 open enrollment who got advance premium tax credits (APTCs) on their monthly bills.
ValuePenguin chose the best health insurance in Louisiana by reviewing each company's rates, coverage, customer service and unique features. Based on the data, each company was given a rating out of 5 stars.
Additional sources include KFF, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), S&P Global, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the Louisiana Department of Health.
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.