Hougom Insurance Agency

Insurance in Vernon County · Western Wisconsin

Insurance Coverage for Vernon County, WI

Vernon County is home to roughly 30,915 residents across Viroqua, Westby, La Farge, and Readstown. Hougom Insurance Agency is a full-service independent agency based nearby in Onalaska — 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.

Get a free local review →   (608) 799-8434

By the numbers · Vernon County

Quick facts for Vernon County Medicare

6,389Residents age 65 and older — the population Medicare primarily serves (U.S. Census ACS 2023)
4insurance carriers competing in the metro
3$0-premium Medicare Advantage plans available
4.5★highest CMS star rating offered locally

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 Vernon County adults

The right Medicare plan depends on your health. Here's how common key conditions are locally (CDC PLACES, model-based prevalence among 31,170 adults) — a reason to check each plan's drug formulary and specialist network before you enroll.

High blood pressure 29.5%
Obesity 38.7%
Arthritis 31%
Diabetes 9.7%
Heart disease 8.4%

Source: CDC PLACES Local Data for Better Health (2023).

Plans & stability

Medicare Advantage plans in Vernon 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.

PlanCarrierPremiumDrug deductibleCMS ratingStability
Aetna Medicare Signature (PPO) Aetna Medicare $0 $615 4.5★ Strong (4★+)
Esteem Rx (HMO-POS) Security Health Plan of Wisconsin $0 $250 4.5★ Strong (4★+)
Aetna Medicare Premier (PPO) Aetna Medicare $27 $615 4.5★ Strong (4★+)
HumanaChoice H7617-007 (PPO) Humana $47 $615 4.5★ Strong (4★+)
Essence Rx (HMO-POS) Security Health Plan of Wisconsin $87 $330 4.5★ Strong (4★+)
Legacy Rx (HMO-POS) Security Health Plan of Wisconsin $269 $0 4.5★ Strong (4★+)
HumanaChoice R5361-002 (Regional PPO) Humana $103 $615 3★ Below average (<3.5★)
Cooperative Medicare Advantage (HMO) Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire $0 $275 Not yet rated

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 Vernon metro

  • Security Health Plan of Wisconsin (Sanford Health) — 3 plans · Regional Sanford Health-affiliated plans
  • Aetna Medicare (CVS Health) — 2 plans · $0-premium PPO options available
  • Humana — 2 plans · Local and Regional PPO options
  • Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire — 1 plan · Regional West-Central Wisconsin cooperative

Where you get care

Hospitals & providers nearby

  • Vernon Memorial HealthcareViroqua · CMS rating not yet published

Plus roughly 19 family-medicine providers and 4 pharmacies in the Viroqua area — check that yours are in-network before you enroll.

Sources: CMS Hospital Compare · NPPES NPI Registry.

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See your Vernon County Medicare plans now

Enter your ZIP for an instant plan count and comparison — then your full ranked report.

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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 · Vernon County

One agency, every line, right here in Vernon County

Beyond Medicare, we write every other line of insurance for Vernon 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.

Explore individual health insurance →

Life, annuities & group benefits

Term and whole life, retirement-income annuities, and employer-sponsored group health, life, dental, and vision for local businesses.

Life insurance →  ·  Annuities →  ·  Group benefits →

Home, auto & farm

Homeowners, auto, and farm insurance for Vernon County's small and organic farms and rural households — often bundled for savings.

Homeowners →  ·  Auto →  ·  Farm insurance →

Business & bonds

General liability, business owner's policies, and contractor license bonds for Vernon County businesses.

Business insurance →  ·  Bonds →

Vernon County insurance questions, answered

Does Hougom Insurance Agency serve Vernon County, WI?

Yes. Hougom Insurance Agency is based nearby in Onalaska and serves Vernon County — including Viroqua, Westby, La Farge, and Readstown — 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 Vernon County for 2026?

For 2026, 8 Medicare Advantage and MA-PD plans are available in Vernon County across 4 carriers, including 3 $0-premium options. The highest CMS star rating offered locally is 4.5★.

What hospital serves Vernon County for Medicare Advantage networks?

Vernon Memorial Healthcare in Viroqua is the county's primary hospital and anchors many local provider networks. Some Vernon County residents also travel to Gundersen Health System or Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse for specialty care — we confirm which of your specific doctors and facilities are in-network before you enroll in any plan.

Do you write farm and agricultural insurance in Vernon County?

Yes. Vernon County has one of the highest concentrations of small and organic farms in western Wisconsin, and we write farm insurance alongside homeowners, auto, and business coverage — often bundled for working farms that need both personal and commercial protection.

Why is the uninsured rate higher in Vernon County than nearby counties?

An estimated 14.7% of Vernon County's civilian population — about 4,502 residents — was uninsured per the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey, notably higher than neighboring La Crosse County. We help close that gap by comparing ACA marketplace plans, including subsidy-eligible options, for Vernon County households.

Can you help with life insurance or annuities for Vernon County residents?

Yes. We compare term and whole life policies and retirement-income annuities across multiple carriers for Vernon County households, whether you're protecting income during working years or turning savings into guaranteed retirement income.

Talk to a local advisor about Vernon County coverage

Free, no pressure — right here in Onalaska, WI.

Book a free consultation →   (608) 799-8434

Also serving: La Crosse County · Trempealeau County · Monroe County