Medicare plays a key role in providing health and financial security to beneficiaries residing in Louisiana. With more than 881,000 Louisiana beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, we’ll cover some very important information below about Medicare in Louisiana. We want to help you better understand your options and make the decision-process as seamless as possible once you’re ready to enroll in Medicare or discover different coverage options.
Louisiana Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)
For more information on how you can save money on your out-of-pocket costs with a Part C, Part D, or Medigap plan, please click the plans below to learn more. Licensed agents can also answer any of your questions and help you find a plan that fits your needs, lifestyle, and budget by clicking here.
Louisiana Medicare Enrollments
Original Medicare Plans (Part A and B)
Medicare Advantage & Other Health Plans
Stand-alone Medicare Part D (Drug Plans)
Total Medicare Beneficiaries in Louisiana
Who Qualifies for Medicare in Louisiana?
Medicare covers most Louisiana residents who are 65 or older, and it also covers disabled Louisiana residents. In general, Medicare enrollment in Louisiana works the same way as it does in the rest of the country. If you qualify for Original Medicare, also known as Part A and Part B, it will help cover 80% of your health care costs.
When you’re first eligible for Medicare, you have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and/or Part B. If you’re eligible for Medicare when you turn 65, you can sign up during the 7-month period that:
- Begins 3 months before the month you turn 65
- Includes the month you turn 65
- Ends 3 months after the month you turn 65
In most cases, if you don’t sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible, you’ll have to pay a late enrollment penalty. You’ll be responsible for paying this penalty for as long as you have Part B, and you could have a gap in your health coverage.
Once you reach Medicare eligibility, you can begin choosing additional coverage options to help pay for the remaining 20% of your medical expenses through Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medigap, and/or a Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan.
Local Medicare Health Plan Resources in Louisiana
Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP): SHIIP helps Medicare beneficiaries better understand their Medicare coverage options and benefits. Counselors help seniors make informed decisions by providing free and unbiased guidance via telephone or face-to-face interactive sessions. Senior health insurance counselors offer assistance to Medicare beneficiaries throughout Louisiana.
Contact: Call 1-800-259-5300 or 1-800-259-5301, or search for a SHIIP office near you using the SHIIP Partners map.Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs (GOEA): GOEA serves as the focal point for Louisiana’s seniors as the State Agency on Aging and the administrator of the Older Americans Act program services. GOEA administers a broad range of statewide programs and services through its network of agencies, including 64 parish Councils on Aging and 36 Area Agencies on Aging. Agency services are intended to assist persons aged 60 and older at offices located in various parishes throughout the state, with an emphasis on low-income individuals. These offices assist seniors with a wide range of aging issues free of charge. Services include Medicare counseling to answer questions about Medicare coverage, simplify the eligibility process, and assist with Medicare Part D selection.
Contact: Call 225-342-7100 or find your local Council on Aging or Area Agency on Aging to request assistance with your Medicare application.Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) and SenioRX Programs: ADRCs provide access to both public and private long-term support services as well as early intervention and prevention services to assist people in the prevention of illness, disability, or the need for hospitalization or long-term care. ADRCs help adults understand their needs and the full range of options in order to preserve their personal resources and avoid the need for the state’s long-term support benefit. This is done by providing unbiased information on services available throughout the community. ADRCs serve people without regard to income or assets.
Contact: Call 1-877-340-9100 to find the agency near you, or search for a participating ADRC office in your area on the Louisiana Answers website.
The licensed agents that are partnered with Timefor65 can help you compare the availability, benefits, and costs of Medicare plans in your specific region of Louisiana. Our process makes it easier for you to access your Medicare eligibility in Louisiana so that you receive personalized, affordable, and easy-to-use coverage options and solutions. Fill out the form or give us a call at (866) 327‑0148 anytime to get a free quote or to ask any questions.