Short Term Health Insurance in Louisiana

Louisiana sets no duration cap of its own, so plans currently run up to about 36 months under the unenforced federal limit. They're medically underwritten and commonly exclude preexisting conditions.

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Matthew T. Giberti Matthew T. Giberti Published July 2026 3 min read
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At a glance

Short term plans are allowed in Louisiana, which has no duration cap of its own and defaults to the federal framework.
Initial terms up to about 364 days and total durations up to about 36 months are currently available (some carriers cap at 3-6 months by choice), an availability that rests on the federal limit being unenforced.
Plans are medically underwritten, commonly exclude preexisting conditions, and aren't ACA minimum essential coverage.
Louisiana uses HealthCare.gov and expanded Medicaid in 2016.
Couple in a clinic waiting room checking their options on a phone

What Louisiana allows

Louisiana permits short term health insurance and sets no duration cap of its own, it defaults to the federal framework. Under the current posture, initial terms up to about 364 days and total durations up to about 36 months are available; some carriers voluntarily cap their plans at three to six months.

Louisiana law (La. R.S. 22:1072) exempts "short term policies of a duration of six months or less" from the state's 12-month preexisting and portability limits, but it sets no maximum short term duration and does not cap renewals, so the duration ceiling comes from federal policy, not Louisiana statute.

Because Louisiana has no cap of its own, that up-to-36-month availability exists only because the federal 3-month / 4-month limit is currently not being enforced (per the August 7, 2025 federal statement). If federal enforcement resumes, Louisiana's available durations could revert to the shorter federal limits, so treat 36-month availability as current, not permanently guaranteed. These plans are medically underwritten, commonly exclude preexisting conditions, and are not ACA compliant.

Your options in Louisiana

If you're a Louisiana resident weighing your choices, here's what's realistically on the table (described as coverage types, not specific products):

Short term health insurance, temporary, medically underwritten coverage. With no state cap, plans currently run up to about a 36-month total, though that availability tracks the federal posture. Best understood as a stopgap, not comprehensive coverage.
ACA marketplace plans, comprehensive major medical coverage sold through HealthCare.gov. These cover essential health benefits, can't turn you down for preexisting conditions, and may come with income based subsidies.
Fixed indemnity and other excepted benefits, supplemental coverage that pays a fixed dollar amount per day or period regardless of expenses. Louisiana requires these products to carry a clear notice that they are not comprehensive or major medical coverage and do not satisfy ACA minimum essential coverage (LDI Bulletin 2013-05 Revised). Not a substitute for major medical.
Medicaid, Louisiana expanded Medicaid in 2016, so more low income adults qualify. It's worth checking your eligibility before buying a short term plan.

As an independent, carrier neutral brokerage, we don't steer you to any single insurer, the right fit depends on your health, budget, and how long you need coverage.

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How enrollment works here

Louisiana uses the federally facilitated marketplace at HealthCare.gov for ACA plans. Enrollment there works on a schedule:

Open Enrollment happens once a year, typically each fall through early winter, for coverage that starts the following January.
Special Enrollment Periods are available year round if you have a qualifying life event, for example, losing job based coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby.

Short term health insurance is different: because it isn't an ACA plan, you can generally apply for it any time of year, subject to the carrier's underwriting. It can start quickly and outside of Open Enrollment, but it won't qualify you for ACA subsidies, and because it's underwritten, you can be turned down.

What it costs

We don't quote premiums on this page, prices change and depend on your specific situation, but here are the factors that drive the cost of coverage in Louisiana:

Your age, older applicants generally pay more.
Where you live in Louisiana, pricing varies by parish and rating area.
Tobacco use, often affects the rate.
Who's covered, an individual, a couple, or a whole family.
The deductible and coverage level you choose, lower out of pocket exposure usually means a higher premium.
The length of the term, short term pricing reflects how long the coverage runs, and Louisiana currently allows plans up to about a 36-month total.
Medical underwriting, because short term plans in Louisiana are underwritten, your health history can affect both eligibility and price.

For ACA marketplace plans, cost works differently: your premium depends on income (which determines subsidy eligibility), age, parish, tobacco use, and the metal level you pick. Because Louisiana expanded Medicaid, some lower income residents may qualify for Medicaid at little or no cost instead.

Matthew T. Giberti Matthew T. Giberti Licensed Insurance Producer · National Producer Number: 20698856 Licensed Insurance Producer · National Producer Number: 20698856 About Matthew →

Short term health insurance is not major medical coverage and is not minimum essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act. These plans are medically underwritten, may exclude preexisting conditions, and are not required to cover essential health benefits such as maternity care, prescription drugs, mental health services, or preventive care. They may impose annual or lifetime dollar limits. Short term coverage does not satisfy any applicable coverage requirements and does not qualify you for ACA premium subsidies.

GetHealthPlans.com® is operated by MTG Insurance Agency, an independent, carrier neutral brokerage. We do not issue insurance and are not a government agency or the health insurance marketplace. Regulatory details on this page reflect Louisiana law and Louisiana Department of Insurance guidance as of the last reviewed date and can change; confirm current terms and the specific plan's approved form before you enroll.