New Orleans, Louisiana: health insurance
New Orleans is in Orleans Parish. Here is what New Orleans residents should know about coverage.
Coverage in New Orleans
New Orleans has about 364,136 residents (U.S. Census Bureau 2023 estimate).
Plans for New Orleans residents are determined by Orleans Parish, home to about 364,136 people (2023 estimate). Medicare Advantage plans and marketplace plans are offered by area, so use your ZIP code when you compare, and make sure a plan covers Orleans Parish before you choose it.
- Turning 65 in New Orleans? Your Initial Enrollment Period runs seven months around your birthday. LaSHIP (Louisiana Senior Health Insurance Information Program) offers free counseling at 1-800-259-5300.
- Buying your own plan? Shop through HealthCare.gov (federal Marketplace).
- Medicaid questions? Healthy Louisiana (Louisiana Department of Health) handles applications.
Louisiana note: Louisiana's Medicaid managed-care program carries its own brand name, Healthy Louisiana, distinct from the Louisiana Department of Health that administers it -- most member-facing materials lead with the Healthy Louisiana name rather than the word Medicaid directly.
Medicare plans leaving Orleans Parish for 2027
Medicare plans are set by county, so this applies to residents of this city. 13 plans are listed in Orleans Parish for 2026 but not for 2027, covering at least 8,683 people.
| Plan going away | Company | People enrolled (at least) |
|---|---|---|
| Peoples Health Dual Complete LA-S5 (HMO-POS D-SNP) H1961-024 | UnitedHealthcare | 2,673 |
| Peoples Health Secure Complete (HMO-POS D-SNP) H1961-019 | UnitedHealthcare | 2,630 |
| Peoples Health Secure Health (HMO-POS D-SNP) H1961-003 | UnitedHealthcare | 2,215 |
| Peoples Health Patriot (PPO) H4544-002 | UnitedHealthcare | 268 |
| Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO-POS D-SNP) H2491-032 | Wellcare / Ambetter (Centene) | 255 |
| Peoples Health Choices (PPO) H4544-001 | UnitedHealthcare | 208 |
See all 13 plans leaving Orleans Parish →
A plan can be listed because it was renumbered or replaced, not only because a company is leaving the county. When the same company keeps other plans there, members are usually moved to a replacement plan. Your plan should send you a notice, and Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) is when you can compare and switch. “People enrolled” is the number enrolled in that plan today (CMS hides counts of 10 or fewer). Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2026 and 2027, and CMS enrollment data from September 2026.
Colleges and universities near New Orleans
Louisiana public institutions include Louisiana State University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Southern University. Students and employees at these schools should check their school’s student health or benefits office, because campus plans and employer plans work differently from individual coverage. More about Louisiana colleges.
Do New Orleans and Orleans Parish have the same plans?
Plans are offered by service area, and New Orleans falls under Orleans Parish. A plan that serves Orleans Parish is generally the one that applies to you.
Do I have to enroll if I call?
No. A call is a conversation about your options.
New Orleans residents: call 855-367-1095
Call Lander LLC to go over your options. There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent, and you are never required to enroll in anything.
Call 855-367-1095Other major Louisiana cities
- Baton Rouge
- Shreveport
- Lafayette
- Lake Charles
- Monroe
- Kenner
- Bossier City
- Alexandria
- Houma
- Central
- Slidell
- New Iberia
Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed insurance agent (NPN 21255551), Lander LLC. Last updated October 3, 2026. This page is educational and is not a quote, an offer of coverage, or legal or tax advice.