Medicare in La Crosse · La Crosse County, WI
2026 Medicare Advantage Plans in La Crosse, WI
La Crosse County is home to approximately 21,400 Medicare beneficiaries — the largest Medicare market in western Wisconsin. For 2026, 6 carriers compete here with 9 $0-premium options. Both Gundersen Health System and Mayo Clinic Health System serve the area. Below is the local plan data — plus a live tool to check your ZIP. Hougom compares it all, free.
By the numbers · La Crosse County
Quick facts for La Crosse County Medicare
Source: CMS Medicare Enrollment Dashboard & CMS Medicare Advantage Landscape (PY2026).
Health profile · why coverage choice matters here
Chronic conditions among La Crosse County adults
The right Medicare plan depends on your health. Here's how common key conditions are locally (CDC PLACES, model-based prevalence among 103,000 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 La Crosse 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AARP MedicareComplete (HMO) | UnitedHealthcare | $0 | $0 | 4★ | Strong (4★+) |
| Humana Gold Plus (HMO) | Humana | $0 | $100 | 4★ | Strong (4★+) |
| UnitedHealthcare Navigate (PPO) | UnitedHealthcare | $49 | $0 | 4★ | Strong (4★+) |
| Quartz Medicare Advantage Plus (PPO) | Quartz | $79 | $0 | 4★ | Strong (4★+) |
| Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO) | Aetna | $0 | $300 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| Quartz Medicare Advantage (HMO) | Quartz | $0 | $200 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| Medica Prime Solution (HMO) | Medica | $0 | $250 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| Humana Choice (PPO) | Humana | $59 | $150 | 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 La Crosse metro
- UnitedHealthcare — 6 plans · Largest national carrier; broad network
- Humana — 5 plans · Strong Part D and dental extras
- Aetna Medicare (CVS Health) — 4 plans · Competitive $0-premium options
- Quartz (BCBS Wisconsin) — 4 plans · Local WI insurer; Gundersen & Mayo networks
- Medica — 2 plans · Regional Midwest carrier
- WellCare — 1 plan · Low-income subsidy focus
Where you get care
Hospitals & providers nearby
- Gundersen La Crosse Hospital & Clinics — La Crosse · CMS 4★ hospital rating
- Mayo Clinic Health System – La Crosse — La Crosse · CMS 4★ hospital rating
- Mayo Clinic Health System – Onalaska — Onalaska · CMS 4★ hospital rating
Plus roughly 130 family-medicine providers and 38 pharmacies in the La Crosse area — check that yours are in-network before you enroll.
Sources: CMS Hospital Compare · NPPES NPI Registry.
Choosing a plan in La Crosse — what matters here
- Gundersen vs. Mayo — both are excellent, but not every plan includes both networks. We confirm your specific doctors and facilities are covered before you enroll.
- Your prescriptions — Part D drug deductibles range from $0 to $300 across local plans; formulary tiers vary significantly. We check your specific drugs.
- CMS star rating — the top-rated plans locally are 4★. We explain what star ratings mean for plan stability and quality.
- Original Medicare + Medigap — for some people, a Medigap plan with a separate Part D policy is better than Advantage. We compare both options side by side.
La Crosse Medicare questions, answered
How many people are on Medicare in La Crosse County, WI?
Approximately 21,400 Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in La Crosse County — the largest Medicare market in western Wisconsin. The surrounding Coulee Region counties add thousands more.
What Medicare Advantage carriers serve La Crosse for 2026?
La Crosse County is served by 6 carriers including UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, Quartz (BCBS Wisconsin), Medica, and WellCare. The highest CMS star rating available locally is 4★, with 9 $0-premium plan options.
Are Gundersen and Mayo in the Medicare Advantage networks in La Crosse?
It depends on the specific plan. Both Gundersen Health System and Mayo Clinic Health System serve the La Crosse area. We check your providers and preferred hospitals are in-network before you enroll in any plan.
What health conditions are most common among La Crosse County seniors?
Per CDC PLACES data, among La Crosse County adults high blood pressure affects approximately 31%, obesity 34%, arthritis 26%, and diabetes 11%. Matching a plan's drug formulary and specialist network to your conditions matters.
Does Hougom Insurance Agency charge for help choosing a Medicare plan?
No. Our guidance is free — carriers pay licensed agents, not you. We compare the plans available in your county against your doctors, prescriptions, and budget.
Talk to a local La Crosse Medicare advisor
Free, no pressure — right here in Onalaska, WI.