Louisiana Small Group Health Insurance 2027: How to Choose

Louisiana · Small group · 2027

Louisiana Small Group Health Insurance: 2027 Carriers, Plans and Rates

Updated October 9, 2026

Two carriers filed 2027 small group plans in Louisiana. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and UnitedHealthcare are selling.

Proposed 2027 increases by carrier: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana +10.6% to +11.8%; UnitedHealthcare +15.6% to +20.2%. Regulators can still lower them.

Get quotes from all two carriersFree. We quote the carriers that didn't publish prices.

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Which carriers sell small group health plans in Louisiana?

One row per brand. Proposed change is each company's average as filed on ratereview.healthcare.gov. Regulators can still lower them.
CarrierNetworks and plan typesWhere it sells2027 plan designsProposed 2027 changePrices
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of LouisianaPPO: Louisiana Health Service & Indemnity Co. · POS: HMO Louisiana, Inc.Networks and plan typesGroupCare PPO, Premier Blue, Blue Saver; Blue Connect, Blue POS, Precision, Community and Signature Blue POSWhere it sellsStatewide2027 plan designsNot publicProposed 2027 change+10.6% to +11.8%PricesQuote only
UnitedHealthcareUnitedHealthcare Insurance Co. · UHC of the River ValleyNetworks and plan typesChoice Plus, Choice Plus Essential, Choice Essential EPO, Heritage PlusWhere it sellsNot published in public filings2027 plan designsNot publicProposed 2027 change+15.6% to +20.2%PricesQuote only

What's changing for Louisiana small group health insurance in 2027?

  1. Average proposed 2027 changes range from +10.6% to +20.2%, as filed. Your group's change also depends on employee ages and the plan you pick.

  2. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana requested +11.8% on its PPO company and +10.6% on HMO Louisiana's POS plans. Together they had about 91% of 2026 small-group enrollment.

  3. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company requested about +20% and UnitedHealthcare of the River Valley about +16%. Both also raised rates a second time in April 2026.

  4. Blue Cross and HMO Louisiana are ending some 2026 plans for new sales on January 1, 2027 and moving members to replacement plans at renewal.

Bourbon Street in the New Orleans French Quarter at dusk, with iron balconies and Mardi Gras flags

Louisiana small group rules employers ask about

Who counts as a small employer

  • 1 to 50 employees, averaged over last year's business days, with at least one on the first day of the plan year.
  • A one-employee group is priced from the carrier's individual-market pool.
  • A plan that covers only an owner and spouse isn't a group plan under federal rules.

La. R.S. 22:1061 and 22:1091 (Act 32 of 2016); 29 CFR 2510.3-3

How premiums are set

  • By each employee's age (federal 3:1 curve), your rating area and the plan.
  • Tobacco surcharges up to 1.5:1 are allowed under the federal default.
  • Carriers may offer composite premiums; CMS lists Louisiana as having a state-specific composite method.

45 CFR §147.102; CMS Market Rating Reforms

When you can enroll

  • Any month, if you meet the carrier's participation and contribution rules.
  • Miss those rules and you can still enroll November 15 to December 15 for a January 1 start.

45 CFR §147.104

Tax credit and SHOP

  • The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit pays up to 50% of premiums for fewer than 25 FTEs.
  • It requires a SHOP plan, and Louisiana has none for 2027. Check with a tax advisor before counting on it.

IRS, Small Business Health Care Tax Credit; 2027 carrier filings

Rating areas

Louisiana uses 8 parish-based rating areas. Your group is priced in the area of your main business location.

CMS geographic rating areas

Louisiana small group health insurance FAQ

  1. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and UnitedHealthcare filed 2027 small-group plans.

  2. Proposed averages run from +10.6% to +20.2%, depending on the carrier. Regulators can still lower them.

  3. Their 2027 rate tables aren't public in the state's filing system. We can quote them for your group.

  4. Louisiana law counts groups with one employee, priced from the carrier's individual pool. A plan covering only an owner and spouse isn't a group health plan under federal rules, so you need at least one true employee.

  5. No. No Louisiana carrier offered small-group plans through SHOP in 2026, and each 2027 filing says it won't for 2027.

  6. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, through its PPO company and HMO Louisiana, had about 91% of 2026 small-group enrollment. UnitedHealthcare had the rest.

  7. Carriers' 2027 rate tables weren't on the federal rate review site. Prices will be added if the SERFF filings make them public; until then they come from a quote.

Small group health insurance in other states

Buying for yourself or your family instead? See the Marketplace plan directory.

Where these numbers come from

Reviewed by Jacob Guidi, licensed health insurance agent (NPN 19902041), Thrive Benefits Group.

Thrive Benefits Group is a licensed broker, not a carrier or government agency. Rates shown are filed 2027 rates for one employee before the employer contribution. Your group's quote depends on employee ages, location, plan choice and carrier rules. Proposed rate changes can still be lowered by regulators.