What Ochsner Health is and where it operates

Ochsner Health is a hospital system based in New Orleans, Louisiana, that runs hospitals, clinics, and urgent care centers across Louisiana and Mississippi. It is one of the largest employers in Louisiana and operates as a nonprofit organization. The system includes Ochsner Medical Center (the flagship hospital in New Orleans), regional hospitals in smaller cities, and hundreds of outpatient clinics where you can see doctors for routine visits.

Ochsner owns and operates its own facilities rather than contracting with independent hospitals. This means when you go to an Ochsner location, you are using Ochsner's doctors, nurses, equipment, and billing system. The system also runs its own insurance plan called Ochsner Health Plan, though you can receive care at Ochsner facilities through other insurance companies as well.

If you live in southeast Louisiana or south Mississippi, you have likely seen Ochsner clinics or billboards. The system has grown significantly over the past decade and now operates more than 40 locations across both states.

Key Takeaways

  • Ochsner Health is a nonprofit hospital system headquartered in New Orleans that operates hospitals and clinics across Louisiana and Mississippi.
  • You can receive care at Ochsner facilities whether you have Ochsner insurance or coverage from another insurance company, or if you are uninsured.
  • Ochsner runs its own urgent care centers and primary care clinics, so you do not always need to go to a hospital for non-emergency care.
  • Ochsner Health Plan is the insurance option run by the same organization, but using Ochsner facilities does not require you to buy their insurance.
  • Ochsner publishes its standard charges (the prices it charges before insurance) on its website, as required by federal law.

How to find an Ochsner doctor or clinic near you

Ochsner's website has a provider search tool where you can enter your location and the type of doctor you need. You can search by specialty (cardiology, orthopedics, family medicine, and so on) or by the name of a specific doctor if you already know who you want to see. The search results show you the address, phone number, and hours for each location.

If you do not have a primary care doctor and want to establish one, you can call Ochsner's main line or use the website to request a new patient appointment. Wait times vary by location and specialty. Some clinics can see new patients within a few weeks; others may have longer waits, particularly for specialists.

For urgent but non-emergency care, Ochsner operates urgent care centers in multiple locations. These handle injuries, infections, and other problems that need attention but are not life-threatening. Urgent care is faster than the emergency room and less expensive, but it is not appropriate for chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe injuries, or other emergencies.

Insurance and payment at Ochsner facilities

Ochsner accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance from companies like Blue Cross, Aetna, and Cigna. When you arrive for an appointment, bring your insurance card. Ochsner's billing department will verify your coverage and tell you what your out-of-pocket costs will be (copay, coinsurance, or deductible).

If you are uninsured, Ochsner has a financial information program. You can ask about this at the time of your visit or call Ochsner's financial counseling line. The system is required to have a policy for uninsured and underinsured patients, though the amount of information you receive depends on your income and the type of care you need.

Ochsner publishes its standard charges (the list prices before any insurance discount) on its website in a machine-readable format, as required by federal law. These prices are not what you will pay if you have insurance, but they show you what the facility charges for common procedures and services.

Emergency care at Ochsner Medical Center

Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans has a 24-hour emergency department. If you are having a life-threatening emergency—chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, sudden weakness or numbness, or signs of stroke—call 911 or go directly to the emergency room. Do not drive yourself if you are in severe distress.

The emergency department treats patients in order of medical urgency, not in the order they arrive. A patient with a heart attack will be seen before a patient with a minor cut, even if the second patient arrived first. Wait times in emergency rooms can be several hours, depending on how many patients are there and how serious their conditions are.

If you go to the emergency room, bring your insurance card and a photo ID. If you do not have insurance, tell the staff—they will still treat you, and you can discuss payment options afterward.

Ochsner Health Plan insurance

Ochsner Health Plan is the insurance company owned by Ochsner Health. It offers plans to individuals, families, and employers in Louisiana and Mississippi. If you buy an Ochsner Health Plan, you have in-network coverage at all Ochsner facilities, which typically means lower out-of-pocket costs than using out-of-network providers.

You do not have to buy Ochsner insurance to use Ochsner facilities. You can use your existing insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, or a plan from another company) at Ochsner locations, and Ochsner will bill that insurance. The difference is that if you have Ochsner insurance, Ochsner facilities are considered in-network, which usually costs you less.

Ochsner Health Plan enrollment happens during open enrollment periods (usually November through December for coverage starting January 1) or if you have a may have access to life event such as losing other coverage, getting married, or having a baby. You can learn more about Ochsner Health Plan options on the Ochsner website or by calling their sales line.

What happens during your first visit to an Ochsner clinic

When you arrive for your first appointment, plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. You will check in at the front desk and fill out paperwork that includes your medical history, current medications, allergies, and emergency contact information. Bring your insurance card and photo ID.

After check-in, you will wait to be called back to an exam room. A nurse or medical assistant will take your vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, heart rate) and ask about the reason for your visit. The doctor will then see you, review your history, perform an exam, and discuss next steps—which might include lab work, imaging, a prescription, or a referral to a specialist.

At the end of your visit, you will check out at the front desk. The staff will tell you what you owe (if anything) based on your insurance, schedule any follow-up appointments, and give you instructions for any tests or prescriptions. Ochsner also offers online patient portals where you can view your medical records, request prescription refills, and message your doctor.

Specialty care and referrals at Ochsner

If your primary care doctor thinks you need to see a specialist, they can refer you to an Ochsner specialist or to a doctor outside the Ochsner system. If you are referred within Ochsner, your primary care doctor's office will usually schedule the appointment for you or give you a number to call. If you are referred outside Ochsner, your insurance may require prior authorization before the specialist visit.

Ochsner has specialists in most major fields: cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, oncology, gastroenterology, and many others. Wait times for specialist appointments vary widely. Some can see you within a few weeks; others may have waits of several months, particularly for popular specialists or in busy locations.

You can also self-refer to some Ochsner specialists without going through your primary care doctor first, depending on your insurance plan. Check your insurance card or call the number on the back to see whether you need a referral.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my insurance at Ochsner if it is not Ochsner Health Plan?

Yes. Ochsner accepts most major insurance plans. Bring your insurance card to your appointment, and Ochsner will bill your insurance company. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your specific plan and whether Ochsner is in-network for your insurance.

What if I do not have insurance?

Ochsner will still treat you. Ask about the financial information program at the time of your visit or call their financial counseling line. information is based on your income and the type of care you receive.

How do I schedule an appointment at Ochsner?

Use the provider search tool on the Ochsner website, call the clinic directly, or call Ochsner's main scheduling line. If you are a new patient, tell them so when you call—they will schedule you appropriately and may ask you to arrive early for paperwork.

Does Ochsner offer telehealth or virtual visits?

Ochsner offers virtual visits for some types of appointments. Ask when you schedule whether a virtual visit is an option for your reason for care. Virtual visits work through Ochsner's patient portal or a video link sent to you by email.

What should I do if I receive a bill I do not understand?

Call the number on the bill and ask to speak with someone in billing or financial counseling. They can explain the charges, tell you what your insurance paid, and discuss payment plans or financial information if you need it.