Altoona, Pennsylvania: health insurance
Altoona is in Blair County. Here is what Altoona residents should know about coverage.
Coverage in Altoona
Altoona has about 42,788 residents (U.S. Census Bureau 2023 estimate).
Plans for Altoona residents are determined by Blair County, home to about 120,273 people (2023 estimate). Medicare Advantage plans and marketplace plans are offered by area, so use your ZIP code when you compare, and make sure a plan covers Blair County before you choose it.
- Turning 65 in Altoona? Your Initial Enrollment Period runs seven months around your birthday. PA MEDI (Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight, formerly APPRISE) offers free counseling at 1-800-783-7067.
- Buying your own plan? Shop through Pennie.
- Medicaid questions? Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) handles applications.
Pennsylvania note: Pennsylvania's Medicare counseling program changed its name from APPRISE to PA MEDI in July 2021 -- same program and services, run by the Department of Aging, just under a new name, so older references to APPRISE still point to the same free help.
Medicare plans leaving Blair County for 2027
Medicare plans are set by county, so this applies to residents of this city. 17 plans are listed in Blair County for 2026 but not for 2027, covering at least 4,977 people.
| Plan going away | Company | People enrolled (at least) |
|---|---|---|
| UPMC for Life HMO Premier Rx (HMO) H3907-059 | UPMC Health System | 2,511 |
| UPMC for Life Complete Care (HMO D-SNP) H4279-001 | UPMC Health System | 1,200 |
| UPMC for Life PPO Premier Rx (PPO) H5533-013 | UPMC Health System | 585 |
| Complete Blue PPO Distinct (PPO) H3916-059 | Highmark Health | 484 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC PA-0011 (PPO) H2406-072 | UnitedHealthcare | 119 |
| Wellcare Simple (HMO-POS) H2915-003 | Wellcare / Ambetter (Centene) | 64 |
See all 17 plans leaving Blair County →
A plan can be listed because it was renumbered or replaced, not only because a company is leaving the county. When the same company keeps other plans there, members are usually moved to a replacement plan. Your plan should send you a notice, and Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) is when you can compare and switch. “People enrolled” is the number enrolled in that plan today (CMS hides counts of 10 or fewer). Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2026 and 2027, and CMS enrollment data from September 2026.
Colleges and universities near Altoona
Pennsylvania public institutions include Pennsylvania State University, Temple University, University of Pittsburgh. Students and employees at these schools should check their school’s student health or benefits office, because campus plans and employer plans work differently from individual coverage. More about Pennsylvania colleges.
Do Altoona and Blair County have the same plans?
Plans are offered by service area, and Altoona falls under Blair County. A plan that serves Blair County is generally the one that applies to you.
Do I have to enroll if I call?
No. A call is a conversation about your options.
Altoona residents: call 855-367-1095
Call Lander LLC to go over your options. There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent, and you are never required to enroll in anything.
Call 855-367-1095Other major Pennsylvania cities
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
- Allentown
- Erie
- Reading
- Harrisburg
- Bethlehem
- Scranton
- Lancaster
- York
- Wilkes-Barre
- State College
Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed insurance agent (NPN 21255551), Lander LLC. Last updated October 3, 2026. This page is educational and is not a quote, an offer of coverage, or legal or tax advice.