A new health plan is coming to Louisiana.

Louisiana Health Cooperative (LAHC) will help make health insurance accessible for individuals and employers.

On May 8, 2013, LAHC received a license from the Louisiana Department of Insurance to operate as an insurer statewide with open enrollment beginning on October 1, 2013 and coverage starting on January 1, 2014. LAHC is a non-profit health plan sponsored by a coalition of health care providers and business leaders, who believe that providing better access to high quality care at an affordable price will improve patients’ outcomes.

Based in Louisiana, LAHC was selected by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on September 28, 2012 to create and operate a Consumer Oriented and Operated Plan, or “CO-OP” statewide.

LAHC's mission is to promote community health and well-being by engaging the members and providers it serves in the valued delivery of high quality, integrated health care services.

LAHC will participate in the Louisiana health insurance market and in the federal Health Insurance Marketplace (the "Exchange"). Authorized by the ACA, the Marketplace is where individuals can shop for and purchase health insurance online. Marketplaces will allow consumers to go to a website and compare benefits and costs of different plans. In addition, low and moderate income individuals can receive premium and cost-sharing subsidies to help offset monthly premiums.