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Health Insurance in Houma, Louisiana — Terrebonne Parish ACA Guide

Updated March 2026 · Southern Plan Finder — Licensed Insurance Agency · (877) 224-8539

Houma is the seat of Terrebonne Parish and the hub of Louisiana's Bayou Region — a community of approximately 33,000 people whose economy is deeply tied to the offshore oil and gas industry, commercial fishing, and marine services. Located about 60 miles southwest of New Orleans, Houma is the center of a significant industrial corridor that supports offshore drilling, pipeline construction, and shipbuilding operations across the Gulf of Mexico. This economic profile creates a unique health insurance landscape: many workers cycle between offshore contracts with varying employer coverage, and periods between contracts can leave families without employer-sponsored benefits.

For health insurance, Houma residents use healthcare.gov with their Terrebonne Parish zip code. Louisiana's 2016 Medicaid expansion is particularly impactful in this region, where cyclical employment in the energy sector means income can fluctuate significantly from year to year.

Louisiana Medicaid Expansion and Houma

Medicaid Expansion: Critical for Terrebonne Parish Louisiana expanded Medicaid in 2016, covering adults earning up to 138% FPL — approximately $22,025 for a single adult in 2026. For Houma, where the oil and gas industry creates boom-and-bust income cycles, this expansion provides an essential safety net during periods of unemployment or reduced work. Workers between offshore contracts who lack employer coverage and whose income drops below the Medicaid threshold can access coverage year-round.

Oil and Gas Workers and Health Insurance

Coverage Considerations for Offshore Workers

The cyclical nature of offshore work means Houma residents may transition between employer coverage, ACA marketplace plans, and Medicaid multiple times over a career. Understanding qualifying life events and how to report income changes to healthcare.gov is essential for maintaining continuous coverage.

ACA Carriers in Terrebonne Parish

Ambetter from Louisiana Healthcare Connections
Primary ACA marketplace carrier; includes Terrebonne General and regional networks
BCBS Louisiana
Primarily employer/off-marketplace; not available with ACA premium tax credits

Healthcare Access in Houma

Terrebonne General Medical Center is the primary hospital serving Houma and surrounding Terrebonne Parish. It provides emergency services, surgical care, and a range of outpatient specialties. For more complex procedures, cancer treatment, or highly specialized care, residents typically travel to New Orleans — approximately 60 miles northeast via Highway 90 — where Ochsner Medical Center, Tulane Medical Center, and University Medical Center offer comprehensive tertiary and quaternary care.

The commercial fishing industry and offshore work environment also create specific healthcare needs — occupational injuries, musculoskeletal conditions, and the physical demands of marine and industrial work are common reasons residents seek orthopedic and rehabilitation services.

Health Insurance Costs in Houma

Annual Income (Single Adult) % of FPL (2026) Coverage Pathway Est. Net Monthly Cost
Below $22,025 Below 138% Louisiana Medicaid — expanded 2016 $0 or minimal premium
$22,025 – $29,940 138–187% ACA Silver with strong subsidy + CSR $20 – $80/month
$29,941 – $47,880 187–300% ACA Silver with meaningful subsidy $80 – $175/month
$47,881 – $63,840 300–400% ACA marketplace, moderate subsidy $175 – $310/month
Above $63,840 Above 400% ACA marketplace, 8.5% cap 8.5% of income or less

Estimates for a single 40-year-old on a benchmark Silver plan. Not guaranteed quotes.

Enrollment in Houma

Houma residents enroll through healthcare.gov using their Terrebonne Parish zip code. Open enrollment for 2026–2027 runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Losing employer coverage between offshore contracts triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period. Louisiana Medicaid enrollment is year-round.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ACA carriers are available in Houma, Louisiana?
Ambetter from Louisiana Healthcare Connections is the primary ACA marketplace carrier in Terrebonne Parish. Verify current options at healthcare.gov using your Houma zip code.
Does Louisiana Medicaid cover Houma residents?
Yes. Louisiana expanded Medicaid in 2016. Adults in Terrebonne Parish earning up to 138% FPL qualify for Louisiana Medicaid at little or no cost.
I work offshore in oil and gas — what are my health insurance options?
Offshore workers without employer coverage can enroll in ACA marketplace plans through healthcare.gov. If your employer coverage ends between contracts, that triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period. During lower-income periods, Louisiana Medicaid may apply.
What hospitals serve Houma residents?
Terrebonne General Medical Center is the primary hospital. For specialized care, residents access Ochsner and New Orleans metro hospitals, approximately 60 miles northeast.

Ready to compare Houma health insurance plans? A licensed agent can help you navigate coverage options for oil and gas workers and fishing industry families at no cost.

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Southern Plan Finder — Licensed Insurance Agency This page is maintained by a licensed health insurance producer serving the Gulf Coast. We help Houma and Terrebonne Parish residents navigate ACA plans, Medicaid, and coverage transitions between offshore contracts. We are paid by the carrier — never by you. Call us at (877) 224-8539.

See the Louisiana health insurance guide and browse plans at healthcare.gov.