Insurance in Houston County · Southeast Minnesota
Insurance Coverage for Houston County, MN
Houston County is home to roughly 18,768 residents across Caledonia, Houston, La Crescent, Spring Grove, and Rushford. Hougom Insurance Agency is a full-service independent agency licensed in both Minnesota and Wisconsin — we write every line here: Medicare, ACA/individual health, life insurance and annuities, group benefits, and home, auto, farm, and business coverage, comparing multiple carriers so you're never stuck with one company's price.
By the numbers · Houston County
Quick facts for Houston County Medicare
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2023, 5-Year Estimates) & CMS Medicare Advantage Landscape (PY2026).
Health profile · why coverage choice matters here
Chronic conditions among Houston County adults
The right Medicare plan depends on your health. Here's how common key conditions are locally (CDC PLACES, model-based prevalence among 18,582 adults) — a reason to check each plan's drug formulary and specialist network before you enroll.
Source: CDC PLACES Local Data for Better Health (2023).
Plans & stability
Medicare Advantage plans in Houston County (2026)
Representative MA-PD plans with drug coverage, by CMS star rating. "Stability" is each plan's published CMS Overall Star Rating — a federal quality measure, not our opinion. We never call a plan best or worst; we show the data and help you compare.
| Plan | Carrier | Premium | Drug deductible | CMS rating | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Core (PPO) | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota | $49 | $615 | 4.5★ | Strong (4★+) |
| Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Choice (PPO) | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota | $163 | $350 | 4.5★ | Strong (4★+) |
| Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Complete (PPO) | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota | $248 | $250 | 4.5★ | Strong (4★+) |
| Gundersen MN Quartz Med Advantage Basic D (w/Rx) (HMO) | Quartz Medicare Advantage | $0 | $270 | 4★ | Strong (4★+) |
| Gundersen MN Quartz Med Advantage Core D (w/Rx) (HMO) | Quartz Medicare Advantage | $29 | $270 | 4★ | Strong (4★+) |
| Gundersen MN Quartz Med Advantage Value D (w/Rx) (HMO) | Quartz Medicare Advantage | $72 | $225 | 4★ | Strong (4★+) |
| Gundersen MN Quartz Med Advantage Elite D (w/Rx) (HMO) | Quartz Medicare Advantage | $184 | $200 | 4★ | Strong (4★+) |
| HumanaChoice H5216-359 (PPO) | Humana | $10 | $615 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| Humana Gold Choice H8145-006 (PFFS) | Humana | $37 | $615 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| HumanaChoice H5216-092 (PPO) | Humana | $47 | $615 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| Medica Advantage Solution H8889-008 (PPO) | Medica | $47 | $615 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| HumanaChoice H5216-063 (PPO) | Humana | $108 | $615 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| Medica Advantage Solution H8889-004 (PPO) | Medica | $159 | $435 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage Landscape (PY2026). Premiums shown are consolidated monthly premiums; full plans vary — compare with the tool below.
Who covers you
Carriers in the Houston metro
- Quartz Medicare Advantage (HMO) — 4 plans · Gundersen MN-branded plans; UW Hospitals-affiliated
- Humana — 4 plans · PPO and Private Fee-For-Service options
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota — 3 plans · PPO plans, several at 4.5★ overall
- Medica — 2 plans · Regional Minnesota PPO plans
Where you get care
Hospitals & providers nearby
- Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center — La Crosse, WI · CMS 4★ hospital rating
- Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Medical Center — La Crosse, WI · CMS 5★ hospital rating
Plus roughly 1 family-medicine providers and 2 pharmacies in the Caledonia area — check that yours are in-network before you enroll.
Sources: CMS Hospital Compare · NPPES NPI Registry.
This is educational information, not medical, legal, or insurance advice, and not a recommendation of any specific plan. Hougom Insurance Agency is a licensed independent insurance agency (NPN 20742808) and a Third-Party Marketing Organization (TPMO) under CMS guidelines — we are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to the plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for a complete list of options.
Everything we cover · Houston County
One agency, every line, right here in Houston County
Beyond Medicare, we write every other line of insurance for Houston County households and businesses. Each line below links to the full coverage details.
ACA & individual health
Marketplace plans, subsidy eligibility, and short-term coverage for households and the self-employed not on an employer plan.
Life, annuities & group benefits
Term and whole life, retirement-income annuities, and employer-sponsored group health, life, dental, and vision for local businesses.
Home, auto & farm
Homeowners, auto, and farm insurance for Houston County's bluff-country farms and rural households — often bundled for savings.
Business & bonds
General liability, business owner's policies, and contractor license bonds for Houston County businesses.
Houston County insurance questions, answered
Does Hougom Insurance Agency serve Houston County, MN?
Yes. Hougom Insurance Agency is licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin and serves Houston County — including Caledonia, Houston, La Crescent, Spring Grove, and Rushford — for every line we write: Medicare, ACA/individual health, life insurance, annuities, group benefits, and home/auto/farm/business coverage.
How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Houston County for 2026?
For 2026, 13 Medicare Advantage and MA-PD plans are available in Houston County across 4 carriers, including 1 $0-premium option. The highest CMS star rating offered locally is 4.5★.
Which hospitals serve Houston County residents?
Houston County doesn't have a hospital of its own — most residents cross the Mississippi River to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center or Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Medical Center, both in La Crosse, WI, a short drive from La Crescent. Some residents in the northern part of the county also use Winona Health. Network participation varies by specific Medicare Advantage plan — we confirm your doctors and preferred hospital are covered before you enroll.
Does Minnesota use Medicare Supplement Plan G or Plan N?
No. Minnesota is one of a handful of states with its own standardized Medigap system — a required Basic Plan plus an optional Extended Basic Plan, with riders added on top — not the national A–N letter plans. If you're comparing options with a Wisconsin neighbor or relative, note that Wisconsin also runs its own Basic Plan + riders system, so neither state uses Plan G or Plan N. We're licensed in both states and can walk Houston County residents through Minnesota's specific rules.
Do you write farm and agricultural insurance in Houston County?
Yes. Houston County's bluff-country farms — dairy, row crop, and hobby operations around Caledonia, Houston, and Spring Grove — need coverage that a generic homeowners policy doesn't provide. We write farm insurance alongside homeowners, auto, and business coverage, often bundled for working farms.
What's the uninsured rate in Houston County?
An estimated 3.7% of Houston County's civilian population — about 696 residents — was uninsured per the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey. We help close that gap by comparing ACA marketplace plans, including subsidy-eligible options, for Houston County households.
Talk to a local advisor about Houston County coverage
Free, no pressure — licensed in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Book a free consultation → (608) 799-8434
Also serving: Winona County, MN · Rochester, MN · La Crosse County, WI · Monroe County, WI · Vernon County, WI · Trempealeau County, WI