Best Cheap Health Insurance in Louisiana for 2026
HMO Louisiana is the best health insurance company in Louisiana. Its cheapest Silver plan costs $587 per month before discounts.
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Best and cheapest health insurance in Louisiana
Cheapest health insurance companies in Louisiana
Christus Health Plan, Ambetter and HMO Louisiana have the cheapest health insurance plans in Louisiana, with Silver plans starting at $542 per month before discounts.
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Affordable health insurance in Louisiana
Company |
Cost
| |
|---|---|---|
| CHRISTUS Health Plan | $542-$732 |
| Ambetter | $566-$700 |
| HMO Louisiana | $587-$801 |
| AmeriHealth Caritas | $703-$739 |
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and HMO Louisiana are two different Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) companies that both use the brand "Louisiana Blue," although you'll still see each company listed separately on HealthCare.gov.
The two companies combined sell the most plans in Louisiana, with about three-quarters of all policies in the state.
- CHRISTUS Health Plan is the cheapest company in Louisiana, with Silver rates starting at $542 per month, which is almost $300 per month lower than the state average.
- Keep in mind, CHRISTUS Health Plan only has the cheapest rates for roughly one in five Louisianans. Depending on where you live, you may get cheaper coverage from Ambetter or Louisiana HMO.
- 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, which is part of Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS).
**HMO Louisiana has a HealthCare.gov rating of 3-out-of-5 stars, the highest in the state. That means HMO Louisiana customers are generally happy with their doctors and coverage.
The company also gets significantly fewer complaints than an average company its size.
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Best-rated health insurance companies in Louisiana
Company |
ACA rating
|
VP rating
|
|---|---|---|
| HMO Louisiana | ||
| BCBS of Louisiana | ||
| CHRISTUS Health Plan | ||
| UnitedHealthcare | ||
| Ambetter | N/A |
It's important to note that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana recently settled a lawsuit for $421 million for wrongfully denying claims for cancer treatment. That means Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana may not be the best choice for you, despite its high star rating from HealthCare.gov.
How much does health insurance cost in Louisiana?
Health insurance in Louisiana costs an average of $827 per month if you pay full price or $159 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 $1,756 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 usually 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 often 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.
Health insurance discount changes in Louisiana for 2026
Medical insurance costs an average of $827 in Louisiana, or about $159 per month, if you're eligible for discounts.
After subsidies, rates project to increase from roughly $65 in 2025 to $159 in 2026. That's because the size of discounts available for shoppers are decreasing for 2026.
You could get higher discounts, called "expanded subsidies", when shopping for coverage on HealthCare.gov between 2021 and 2025. While discounts are still available in 2026, they'll be smaller than in years past.
Health insurance rates in Louisiana after subsidies (2025 vs. 2026)
Income | 2025 rate | 2026 rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $49 | $155 | 216% |
| $40,000 | $154 | $287 | 86% |
| $50,000 | $283 | $415 | 47% |
| $60,000 | $423 | $498 | 18% |
| $70,000 | $496 | $646 | 30% |
Average cost after subsidies for a single 40-year-old with a Benchmark Silver plan.
- Who can get subsidies? You can get subsidies if you make between $15,650 and $62,600 per year as an individual ($32,150 to $128,600 per year for a family of four). The size of your subsidy depends on how much you make: the less you earn, the larger your subsidy.
- How do subsidies work? You can use your subsidy for any Bronze, Silver or Gold plan available on HealthCare.gov. When shopping for coverage, you can choose to apply your subsidy directly to your monthly rate, or you can get it as a lump sum at the end of the year.
- How much do you save? ValuePenguin's subsidy calculator lets you see how much you'll pay for insurance after discounts.
Cheapest health insurance by city
Ambetter has the cheapest Silver medical insurance in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, at $582 and $612 per month, respectively. CHRISTUS Health Plan has the most affordable coverage in Shreveport, at $542 per month, and HMO Louisiana sells the cheapest medical insurance in Lafayette, at $707 per month.
Cheapest health insurance plans by Louisiana parish
County | Cheapest plan | Monthly rates |
|---|---|---|
| Acadia | HMO Louisiana Blue Connect | $707 |
| Allen | HMO Louisiana Blue POS | $744 |
| Ascension | Ambetter Connections Standard Silver | $612 |
| Assumption | HMO Louisiana Blue POS | $711 |
| Avoyelles | HMO Louisiana Blue POS | $775 |
Cheapest Silver plan with rates for a 40-year-old
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- Ambetter has the cheapest plans for roughly half of Louisianans, including those who live in the state's largest cities, such as New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
- HMO Louisiana is the cheapest health insurance company for about two in five people in Louisiana, including many rural parts of the state.
- CHRISTUS Health Plan has the most affordable coverage for about one in five people in Louisiana.
Best health insurance by coverage level
Silver medical insurance plans have a good level of coverage for most people because they 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 offer the best coverage you can get in Louisiana, with an average cost of $824 per month, before subsidies. Gold plans actually cost slightly less than Silver plans in Louisiana, on average, despite having better coverage. That's because you can get extra discounts with a Silver plan, called cost-sharing reductions, if you make less than about $39,000 per year as an individual (roughly $80,000 per year for a family of four).
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, and you don't qualify for cost-sharing reductions.
Silver plans: Best coverage for most people
| Silver plans pay for about 70% of your medical care. |
Silver plans cost an average of $827 per month in Louisiana. And they're the most popular coverage level in the state. That's because you can get extra subsidies, called cost-sharing reductions, with a Silver plan if you earn below about $39,000 per year (roughly $80,000 per year).
Silver plans are a good middle ground with middle-of-the-road costs and extra financial help if you earn a low income.
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 $589 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 bill, 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 $22,000 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'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 $15,650 and $39,125 per year as a single person or $32,150 and $80,375 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?
The cost of health insurance in Louisiana rose by an average of 24% between 2025 and 2026.
Silver plans saw the largest annual increase, with prices going up 26% in 2026. Both Gold and Bronze plans are getting 22% more expensive year on year.
The cost of a Silver health plan rose by 14% between 2022 and 2026. That's because Silver health insurance got cheaper every year between 2022 and 2025 before rising sharply from 2025 to 2026.
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $524 | – |
| 2023 | $488 | -7% |
| 2024 | $496 | 2% |
| 2025 | $481 | -3% |
| 2026 | $589 | 22% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old. Expanded Bronze plans are included in 2024, 2025 and 2026 averages, when they're offered.
Bronze
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $524 | – |
| 2023 | $488 | -7% |
| 2024 | $496 | 2% |
| 2025 | $481 | -3% |
| 2026 | $589 | 22% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old. Expanded Bronze plans are included in 2024, 2025 and 2026 averages, when they're offered.
Silver
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $728 | – |
| 2023 | $652 | -10% |
| 2024 | $666 | 2% |
| 2025 | $654 | -2% |
| 2026 | $827 | 26% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $769 | – |
| 2023 | $709 | -8% |
| 2024 | $736 | 4% |
| 2025 | $675 | -8% |
| 2026 | $824 | 22% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Why is health insurance expensive in Louisiana in 2026?
Rising health care costs are pushing up the cost for health insurance in 2026.
When it costs more every time someone goes to the doctor or fills a prescription, health insurance companies have to pay more. To balance the higher costs, medical insurance rates go up for everyone.
The cost for weight-loss drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, is also causing insurance rates to go up. These medications are both expensive and relatively popular. That means health insurance companies end up raising rates so they can keep up with the cost of all the prescriptions their customers need.
Changes to marketplace discounts are also pushing up the cost of Louisiana health insurance in 2026. Between 2021 and 2025, shoppers with low incomes got extra discounts called "enhanced subsidies." These bigger discounts expired at the end of 2025. People with low incomes can still get discounts in 2026, but they won't be as big.
What to do if your rate goes up in 2026
- Get quotes and shop around. If your current health insurance plan is too expensive for you in 2026, look at the other options in your area. You might find a cheaper plan that still works well for your needs.
- Consider a lower-tier plan. Switching to a lower-tier plan like Bronze can be a good way to get a lower monthly rate, but it's only a good idea if you don't go to the doctor often and you're willing to pay a higher share of your medical bills. If you need help saving for your medical costs, you can open a health savings account (HSA) with a Bronze plan for the first time in 2026.
- See if you get discounts. Subsidies can still help you save money, even if they aren't as big in 2026. If you have a low income or if you've recently had a change in your income, check to see if you qualify.
- Check whether you can get Medicaid. If you make less than about $22,000 per year as an individual or $44,000 per year as a family of four, you can get Medicaid in Louisiana. Medicaid gives you free or very cheap health care.
About the Louisiana health insurance marketplace
HealthCare.gov is the Louisiana medical insurance marketplace where you can shop for coverage. All plans will follow the rules of the 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 $2,643 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 $495 per month.
Family size | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Individual | $827 |
| Individual and child | $1,322 |
| Couple | $1,653 |
| Family of three | $2,148 |
| Family of four | $2,643 |
Averages 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 rates 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
In January of 2025, the Trump administration rolled back a rule that would have limited the length of a short-term health policy to three months. Short-term health insurance is now available in Louisiana for up to 364 days or three years total, including renewals.
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
Health insurance enrollment by income level in Louisiana
People who earn a low income will be most affected by smaller health insurance discounts in 2026.
That's because most Louisianians with marketplace coverage make a below-average income. In 2025, more than four out of five people in Louisiana with a marketplace plan made less than $37,650 per year.
Enrollment by income
Income | % of total enrollment |
|---|---|
| Less than $15,060 | 1% |
| $15,060 to $20,783 | 10% |
| $20,784 to $22,590 | 42% |
| $22,591 to $30,120 | 21% |
| $30,121 to $37,650 | 8% |
Enrollment in 2025 marketplace plans made during the 2024-2025 Open Enrollment period. Total may not be 100% due to rounding
Frequently asked questions
Which private health insurance company is cheapest in Louisiana?
CHRISTUS Health Plan has the cheapest private health insurance in Louisiana. The cheapest Silver plan costs $542 per month, if you pay full price. It's important to remember you'll probably pay less for coverage if you qualify for discounts, called subsidies, by making less than $62,600 per year as an individual (under $128,600 per year for a family of four).
How much is health insurance per month in New Orleans?
Health insurance in New Orleans costs an average of $748 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 $582 per month. That's a savings of about $166 per month from the city average.
How much are health insurance rates in Louisiana increasing in 2026?
Health insurance rates in Louisiana are increasing by 24%, on average, between 2025 and 2026. Silver plans are getting 26% more expensive, on average, and Gold and Bronze plans are rising by an average of 22% year on year.
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 six 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 $994 per month for a 40-year-old. A cheaper Blue Cross subsidiary called HMO Louisiana sells plans that start at $587 per month. But with these plans, you'll have to get a referral before seeing a specialist.
Is $500 a month normal for health insurance in Louisiana?
No, $500 per month is cheaper than average for most health insurance plans in Louisiana. Bronze plans cost slightly under $500 per month for a 21-year-old, but health insurance in Louisiana costs more than $500 for all other plan tiers and age groups. If you have a low income and you can get rate discounts, you might be able to get a plan for even cheaper.
Methodology
Louisiana health insurance rate data for 2026 is from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website. ValuePenguin used the CMS public use files (PUFs) to find average rates for different plan tiers, geographic locations and family sizes.
Rates
Rates are based on a 40-year-old with a Silver plan, unless otherwise noted. Rates for Bronze plans include regular and Expanded Bronze plans for 2024, 2025 and 2026, when the plans are available. Your costs and plan options will vary; plans aren't always available in all parts of a state or county.
Subsidies
Rates after subsidies are estimates for a 40-year-old with a Benchmark Silver plan and are based on how subsidies were structured before 2021. Prices are calculated using KFF's rates for full-price Benchmark plans, federal poverty levels (FPLs), IRS rules about premium tax credits and Congressional reports about expanded tax credits. The total cost in the state uses calculated rates by income, which are weighted using CMS data on the incomes of those who purchased plans during last year's open enrollment. The median was used for each income range. Unknown incomes were excluded from the calculations. Incomes of 100% of the federal poverty line and 500% of the federal poverty line were assumed for enrollees who earn less than 100% FPL and more than 500% FPL, respectively. Information about state subsidies, when available, was sourced from state marketplaces.
Ratings
ValuePenguin's experts rank companies based on cost, coverage options, customer satisfaction and unique value. Ratings are out of 100 possible points. ACA ratings show how the company performs in Louisiana for medical care, member experience and plan administration. This 2026 plan quality data from CMS is based on data from last year. Ratings are not available for new plans or plans with low enrollment.
More sources
Enrollment trends, including plan selections by tier and enrollment by income, are from CMS data for the 2025 open enrollment period.
Other sources include S&P Global Capital IQ and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Senior Writer
Talon Abernathy is a ValuePenguin Senior Writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. He's also contributed to other insurance verticals including home, renters, auto, motorcycle and flood insurance.
Talon came to ValuePenguin in 2023. Since his arrival, he's helped to expand the site's health insurance-related content offerings. He enjoys helping readers understand the ins and outs of America's all too complicated health insurance landscape.
Before coming to ValuePenguin, Talon worked as a freelance writer. His prior work has touched on a broad range of personal finance-related topics including credit-building strategies, small business incorporation tactics and creative ways to save for retirement.
Insurance tip
In many parts of the country, you can qualify for a free Silver health insurance plan if you meet certain income requirements. Government subsidies in the form of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions may mean you'll pay nothing for coverage.
Expertise
- Health insurance
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Flood insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
- Auto and motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- The Miami Herald
- Money.com
- MSN
- Nasdaq
- The Sacramento Bee
- Yahoo! Finance
Education
- BA, University of Washington
- Certificate in Copyediting, UC San Diego
Credentials
- Licensed Life & Disability Insurance Agent
- Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
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.
