Columbus, Nebraska: health insurance
Columbus is in Platte County. Here is what Columbus residents should know about coverage.
Coverage in Columbus
Columbus has about 24,464 residents (U.S. Census Bureau 2023 estimate).
Plans for Columbus residents are determined by Platte County, home to about 34,609 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 Platte County before you choose it.
- Turning 65 in Columbus? Your Initial Enrollment Period runs seven months around your birthday. Nebraska SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) offers free counseling at (800) 234-7119.
- Buying your own plan? Shop through HealthCare.gov (federal Marketplace).
- Medicaid questions? Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) handles applications.
Nebraska note: Nebraska's SHIP and Senior Medicare Patrol programs operate together as a single division inside the Department of Insurance, so a caller with both a plan-choice question and a suspected Medicare scam can be handled by the same office in one call.
Medicare plans leaving Platte County for 2027
Medicare plans are set by county, so this applies to residents of this city. 22 plans are listed in Platte County for 2026 but not for 2027, covering at least 1,687 people.
| Plan going away | Company | People enrolled (at least) |
|---|---|---|
| Medica Advantage Preferred (PPO) H8889-011 | Medica Holding Company | 978 |
| Medica Advantage Value (PPO) H8889-010 | Medica Holding Company | 204 |
| Medica Advantage Select (PPO) H8889-015 | Medica Holding Company | 196 |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC NE-0002 (PPO) H1278-020 | UnitedHealthcare | 46 |
| Aetna Medicare Signature (HMO-POS) H7149-001 | Aetna (CVS Health) | 41 |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska MA Access (PPO) H8181-001 | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska | 41 |
See all 22 plans leaving Platte 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 Columbus
Nebraska public institutions include University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Nebraska Omaha, University of Nebraska Medical Center. 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 Nebraska colleges.
Do Columbus and Platte County have the same plans?
Plans are offered by service area, and Columbus falls under Platte County. A plan that serves Platte 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.
Columbus 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 Nebraska cities
- Omaha
- Lincoln
- Bellevue
- Grand Island
- Kearney
- Fremont
- Norfolk
- Hastings
- Papillion
- North Platte
- La Vista
- Scottsbluff
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.