Louisiana Medicare Advantage Plans – Top 3 Plans 2022
The best Medicare Advantage plans in Louisiana for 2022 have many benefits, but you’ll need to choose the right plan for your individual needs. If you’re going to be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B anytime soon, now is the time to start looking for a Medicare Advantage plan in Louisiana. First, take a look at this simple guide so that you’ll have a better understanding of how these Medicare plans work and why they’re often better than having Medicare coverage alone.
What is Medicare Advantage in Louisiana?
Medicare Advantage in Louisiana represents one of the coverage options you have in accessing Medicare benefits. Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, created and sold by private insurance companies, are becoming more popular year after year.
To enroll in Medicare Advantage in Louisiana, you must first be enrolled in Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B). You will be required to pay Part B costs. The standard monthly Medicare Part B premium for 2022 is $170.10. The annual Part B deducible for 2022 is $233.
You will have a list of network providers including doctors, hospitals and other health care facilities to choose from.
A Louisiana Medicare Advantage plan may include some extra benefits not covered by Original Medicare such as:
- Vision care benefits
- Dental care benefits
- Hearing exam and hearing aid assistance
- MAPD plans have built-in prescription drug coverage
- Gym memberships or other fitness and wellness benefits
What is the Best Medicare Advantage plan in Louisiana in 2022?
Best network freedom: Medicare Advantage PPO
- PPO plans offer a larger network and no referrals are required.
- PPO premiums range from $0 to $100 per month.
Best for Lowest out-of-pocket: Medicare Advantage HMO Plan
- HMO premiums are generally $0 per month.
- HMO plans have lower out-of-pocket costs because they use the HMO referral network.
Best for low income or health conditions: Medicare Advantage D-SNIP
Medicare Advantage D-SNIP plans are best for those on limited incomes or who have chronic health conditions. Enrollees on this type of plan can have Medicare AND Medicaid to lower out-of-pocket costs on things like copays, coinsurance, and premiums. Part B deductibles will usually be $0 to a small amount.
What Medicare Advantage plans are available in Louisiana?
Private insurers sell 102 Medicare Advantage plans in Louisiana. The number of participants by type of plan is:
Local HMO – 248,480
Local PPO – 27,103
Regional PPO – 16,085
How much does Medicare Advantage in Louisiana cost?
In most states, at least one HMO will have a $0 monthly premium.
Some states will offer a $0 monthly premium PPO plan, but it is becoming increasingly common for PPOs to have premiums.
Plan availability varies from county to county.
Louisiana’s average MAPD drug deductible of $324.98 annually with monthly premiums of $56.73 for an MAPD plan. Medicare Advantage without prescription drug coverage has an average monthly premium of $14.53 in Louisiana.
When can you enroll in a Louisiana Medicare Advantage plan?
Initial Enrollment Period
Your Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before your 65th birthday month and ends three months after your birthday month.
Once you enroll in Original Medicare, you can choose to purchase a Medicare Advantage plan. Many Medicare Advantage plans have built-in prescription drug coverage.
Alternatively, you may choose a Medicare Supplement plan (Medigap) to work alongside Original Medicare to help pay some of the out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare.
Open Enrollment Period – AKA Annual Election Period
The Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) happens every year from October 15 to December 7. If you did not enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period upon turning 65, you may have a second chance during the fall Annual Enrollment Period.
You can also change from one plan to another (MA or PD) or choose to drop either of these without replacing it.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period goes from January 1 to March 31 annually. At this time, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare.
Special Enrollment Periods – Special Circumstances
A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) can occur at any time of the year under certain circumstances. Some situations that might make you eligible for SEP would be:
- Medicare terminated your Medicare Advantage plan’s contract
- You lost your employment-based insurance coverage
- You moved to a location outside your current MA plan’s service area
5-star Special Enrollment Period
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that has a star rating below 5 stars and you find a five-star rated plan, you can change (one time only) to the 5-star plan any time between December 8 and the following year on November 30.
Consult a Medicare agent before making this change to be sure you do not lose your Prescription drug coverage or MA coverage when enrolling in a 5-star plan.
Special Enrollment Periods if you get “Extra Help”
People who qualify for “Extra Help” paying for prescription drug coverage can join, drop, or switch Medicare prescription drug plans one time during each of these time periods:
- January – March
- April – June
- July – September
The fourth annual quarter is not included, but all Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their plans during the AEP from October 15 to December 7.
When can I make changes to my Medicare Advantage plan?
Once you are enrolled in Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B), you have eligibility to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan in Louisiana during your Initial Enrollment Period.
If you pass up your Initial Enrollment Period, you get a second chance to choose a Louisiana Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare Part C) during the Annual Enrollment Period between October 15 and December 7.
You can also make changes to your existing Louisiana Medicare Advantage plan at this time. For example, if your 65th birthday is in March or April and you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan but later are dissatisfied with your Medicare coverage, you could be locked in to that plan for the remainder of the year.
Your next chance to change plans would be during the Open Enrollment Period from January 1 through March 31. The change would not become effective until July 1.
The fall Annual Enrollment Period allows you to make the change much sooner.
Are Medicare Advantage plans in Louisiana “bad”?
Based on the popularity of MA plans in Louisiana, they are helpful plans for thousands of Medicare enrollees.
1. Number of people enrollment in Medicare Advantage in Louisiana: 361,594
2. Number enrolled by plan specifically the 3 plans below.
Local HMO – 248,480
Local PPO – 27,103
Regional PPO – 16,085
3. Percentage of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage in Louisiana: 40%
4. Number of people enrollment in Medicare nationwide: More than 61 million
5. Number of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage nationwide: Expected to reach 29.5 million in 2022
Related Topics
Louisiana State Links
Ready to Learn More?
We help educate Medicare beneficiaries on their Medicare Advantage options and help them go through the process of reviewing and comparing plans. We work with most of the nation’s top-rated Medicare Advantage carriers. Give us a call today, or request a quote online to learn more about plan options.
- In Louisiana, PPO Medicare Advantage Plans are very popular for many Medicare beneficiaries.
- You can make changes to your Advantage plan each year during the Annual Election Period.
- You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B Premium with most Medicare Advantage plans.