The Louisiana Insurance Commissioner is informing residents that key insurance plans will be unavailable next year in four parishes during the open enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace. This change impacts individuals and families who are looking for coverage in those individual marketplaces. The enrollment process starts on November 1st, allowing residents to alter their coverage through the Marketplace.
If individuals enroll by December 15th, their coverage will commence on January 1. Those who wait until the final deadline of January 15 will have coverage starting on February 1. However, it’s important to note that UnitedHealthcare will not provide coverage in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Charles parishes this year, according to the Insurance Commissioner.
The Department of Insurance has urged residents with existing UnitedHealthcare plans to secure another plan with similar coverage by December 15. Although UnitedHealthcare plans to continue offering insurance in 60 other parishes in Louisiana, they will be temporarily removed from the health insurance marketplace until a system update is made in about a week in November, which will eliminate these four parishes from the options for individual plans.
For 2026, health insurers available for individual marketplace plans in Louisiana include Ambetter Health of Louisiana, AmeriHealth Caritas of Louisiana, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Christus Health Plans, and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company. As noted by Secretary Tim Temple, UnitedHealthcare will be initially unavailable statewide due to the loss of the LCMC hospital system from their individual market network until the updates are implemented to reflect the changes.
The Louisiana Department of Insurance has provided tips for the Open Enrollment period:
- Review your options: Plans and premiums can vary annually, and this year has seen notable changes from the federal government, including higher premiums. It’s vital to check local options and ensure your selected plan accommodates your healthcare providers and needs.
- Be mindful of deadlines: Coverage that starts on January 1 requires enrollment by December 15. If you register between December 16 and January 15, coverage will begin on February 1. Missing the January 15 deadline means you won’t be able to access an individual marketplace plan unless you qualify for a special enrollment period due to specific life changes.
- Consult your agent: Engaging with a licensed health insurance agent can help better understand options available, clarify doubts, and determine eligibility for premium tax credits.
