• Aetna
• Assurant
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield

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• GoldenRule
• Humana

• Supplemental Medigap Insurance
• Medicare Advantage Insurance
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield

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• Humana
• SecureHorizons by UnitedHealthcare
• Universal American
• WellCare

Where Do People Get Louisiana Health Insurance Coverage?

Where Do People Get Health Insurance Coverage?

If your employer does not offer group insurance, or if the insurance offered is very limited, you can buy an individual policy. You can choose fee-for-service or HMO protection, but you should compare your options and shop carefully because coverage and costs vary from company to company. Individual plans may not offer benefits as broad as those found in group health plans.

If you get a non-cancellable policy (also called a guaranteed renewable policy), then you will receive individual insurance under that policy as long as you keep paying the monthly premium. The insurance company may raise the cost of the monthly premium, but it cannot cancel your coverage. Many companies now offer a conditionally renewable policy. This means that the insurance company can cancel all policies like yours, but not just yours. This protects you from being singled out, but it doesn't protect you totally from losing coverage.

Before you buy any health insurance policy, make sure you know what it will pay for - and what it will not pay for. To find out about individual health insurance plans, you can call insurance companies and HMOs in your area, or speak to the producer (agent) who handles your auto or house insurance. Because all insurance companies and producers are required to be licensed or authorized to do business in the state, consider contacting the Louisiana Department of Insurance for verification, at 225-342-1200, before purchasing your policy.

The Department of Insurance does not recommend insurance companies but will provide information on when a company was authorized to do business in this state, its complaint history and its A.M. Best financial rating. Because financial strength and ability to meet financial obligations to policyholders are very important when you are choosing an insurance company, you may also want to check the company's financial rating with other rating agencies such as Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investors Services. That information should be available at your public library or on the Internet. (Note - these agencies rate companies according to their present financial ability to pay claims, not by quality of products offered or by past or future ability to pay claims.)

Tips when shopping for individual insurance:

• Shop carefully. Policies differ widely in coverage and cost. Contact different insurance companies, or ask your producer to show you policies from several insurers in order to compare the policies.
• Make sure the policy protects you from large medical costs.
• Read and understand the policy. Make sure it provides the kind of coverage that is right for you. You don't want unpleasant surprises when you're sick or in the hospital.
• Check to see that the policy states the date it will begin paying for medical services and what it covers or excludes from coverage. Make sure there is a "free look" clause. Companies are required by law to give you at least 10 days to look over your policy after you receive it. If you decide it is not for you, you can return it, and the company will refund your premium.
• Beware of single disease insurance policies. Some policies offer protection for only one disease, such as cancer. If you already have health insurance, your regular plan probably already provides all the coverage you need. Check to see what protection you have under your regular plan before buying speciality insurance.