Houma at a glance
~$390
Benchmark Silver plan –$430/month for a 40-year-old (before subsidies)
Terrebonne Parish — Houma population ~33,000
Louisiana expanded Medicaid 2016 — adults to 138% FPL qualify
ACA carrier: Ambetter from Louisiana Healthcare Connections
Primary hospital: Terrebonne General Medical Center
Economy: offshore oil and gas services, commercial fishing, shipbuilding
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.
Health insurance in Houma
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.
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.
| 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.
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.
See the Louisiana health insurance guide and browse plans at healthcare.gov.