You can find affordable, full-coverage health insurance plans on the state’s Marketplace or go through one of the handful of private insurance companies in Arizona.
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Arizona Health Insurance Companies
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Arizona Health Insurance Options
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How to Get the Most Savings
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Arizona Health Insurance FAQS
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How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Arizona
Arizona Health Insurance Companies
According to Arizona’s department of insurance and financial institutions, there are 8 companies that offer private and family health insurance plans; most offer the same types of plans. The top 2 are:
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona offers 3 plans for residents:
- Everyday Health – These plans are perfect for those who use generic medications and anticipate less frequent doctor visits. You can select from a variety of deductibles, and the expenses are predictable. You will get coverage for primary care and lower deductibles but will need to pay copayments for doctor visits and prescription drugs.
- True Health Plan – This type of plan is more suited to those who have health conditions and need to see the doctor more frequently. Your PCP visits will be free, but there will be a copayment for consultations with a specialist. The deductibles will be higher than those of Everyday Health plans, but True Health plans include more benefits. For example, these plans include coverage for specific brand-name medications.
- Advance Health – This type of plan allows you to take advantage of telehealth, so it is useful for emergencies and those who need to consult with doctors often or have difficulty getting to their doctor’s office. These plans also offer low-cost prescriptions.
Health Net of Arizona
They offer 4 types of plans for residents to choose from:
- Medi-cal – This plan provides both individuals and families with free or inexpensive dental and medical care. This plan type has income requirements, but for those who can’t afford high premiums, it can be an excellent option.
- Medicare – Medicare has partnered with Health Net of Arizona to help offer more subsidized plans to senior residents or those with disabilities.
- Individual and Family – These are standard insurance plans that have different premiums, deductibles, and coverage based on which metal tier you choose: Bronze, Silver, or Gold. The tiers do not indicate the quality of care you will receive, but the amount you will pay out-of-pocket for your medical services. Most insurance companies offer these plans.
- Small Business/ Large Employer – If you’re a business owner, you can purchase health insurance packages for your employees with these plans. There are different options available based on the size of your business.
Health Insurance Marketplace in Arizona
Every year there is an Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which is the time to buy health insurance. It generally runs from November to mid-January. The exact dates vary from year-to-year, and some states even have their own OEP dates. At this time of year, you can look for an insurance policy on the healthcare Marketplace, or in some cases, your state’s exchange.
In your state, though, there is no state-run health insurance exchange, so if you need to purchase private health insurance, you can do so on the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. Marketplace health insurance, which was created by the Affordable Care Act, offers certain consumer protections, guarantees coverage for pre-existing conditions, and includes what’s known as the “10 essential health benefits”:
- Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care)
- Emergency services
- Hospitalization
- Pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care (both before and after birth)
- Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (including counseling and psychotherapy)
- Prescription drugs
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
- Laboratory services
- Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
- Pediatric services, including oral and vision care (but adult dental and vision coverage aren’t essential health benefits)
Each of the ACA-compliant plans offered on the Marketplace are divided into the different types, known as metal tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. These tiers do not signal a difference in quality of care, though. The tiers differ in your out-of-pocket costs versus what your plan covers.
It’s important to remember that the Marketplace only offers the plans of participating providers. So unfortunately, while the Marketplace is a great tool, you won’t be able to compare every plan available to you. That’s where EZ comes in. Whether you want a Marketplace plan, or a plan from a private insurer, an EZ agent can help. We work with all carriers across the country in order to compare all options available.
Over half of the uninsured in Arizona who qualify for Marketplace insurance coverage could get a Bronze plan for FREE.
Arizona’s Short-Term Health Insurance Guidelines
If you cannot get insurance through your employer, or cannot get private health insurance (for example, if you have missed the annual Open Enrollment Period), you can look into a short-term policy. Every state has its own guidelines for how short-term health insurance works.
In Arizona, as of 2019, there is no longer a 6-month limit on short-term policies. Arizona now defaults to the federal regulations, meaning you can get your initial policy for up to 364 days, and then you will have the option to renew up to three times, making the maximum allowed plan duration 36 months.
Arizona Health Insurance Options
The state has plenty of variety when it comes to health insurance companies and plans, but there are always other options besides going with private health insurance. For example, if you have the option of doing so, you can go with an employer-sponsored plan. While there are no laws requiring Arizona employers to offer health insurance to their employees, many still do. It’s a great way to get covered for less, since group plans tend to be less expensive than individual plans.
If you are older, disabled, or low-income, you might be eligible for government-assisted insurance. Medicare offers coverage to residents over 65 or people of any age with a qualifying disability, while Medicaid offers free or low-cost coverage to those with lower incomes.
Whether you choose private health insurance, employer insurance, or government assistance, the best way to find an affordable health insurance plan is to compare prices and coverage in your region. You can do this by working with a trained agent who can compare all of your options in minutes.
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How to Get the Most Savings
Arizona is one of the more expensive states when it comes to healthcare spending per capita. Out of all 50 states, Arizona is ranked 13th in terms of healthcare costs, with their average healthcare cost per person being $8,239 a year. Since your state is one of the more expensive states, you’ll naturally want to know how you can save money on your medical expenses. The best way to do so is to actually use preventive measures and take care of your health. Your BMI, tobacco use, and even your weight can all affect how much you pay for health insurance. So, taking care of yourself is the best way to save money.
You can also spend less on insurance based on where you live. Pima, Santa Cruz, and Maricopa counties are the three cheapest places to live when it comes to health insurance. All three counties have plans that average under $400 a month for adults under 40.
Finally, working with an EZ agent is a great way to ensure you’re finding the most savings no matter where you live or what your health looks like. In fact, by working with an EZ agent, you can save hundreds of dollars a year on your health insurance. The best part is that all of our services are free and have no obligation! You don’t have to do this alone, start saving more money today.
Arizona Health Insurance FAQS
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Does Arizona require you to have health insurance?
The Affordable Care Act technically still requires that all citizens have health insurance coverage. But as of 2016, there is no federal tax penalty for not having it so, and there is only a state tax penalty in certain states – and Arizona is not one of them. So no, residents of Arizona are not required to have insurance.
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What is the cheapest health insurance in Arizona?
The cheapest health plan will be a Marketplace Bronze Plan, which can start as low as $400 a month. Remember, though, health insurance plan prices can vary depending on age, zip code, gender, and other factors. More than half of Arizona residents that qualify for a Marketplace plan can actually get a Bronze plan for free.
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How much does health insurance cost in Arizona?
The average monthly premium for health insurance is $504, or $6,048 per year, with plans as low as $400 a month to as high as $840. But do not let these numbers scare you. More than half of uninsured people in Arizona qualify for a $0 Bronze plan and don’t even know it.
How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Arizona
If you live in Arizona, you can use the Marketplace to enroll or choose to buy your own policies. Either way, finding the right plan for you and your family can be confusing, time-consuming and overwhelming. An EZ agent can guide you through the process of enrolling in an affordable health insurance plan. We will go over your medical and financial needs, as well as any subsidies you qualify for. After reviewing your information, we will compare all available health insurance plans and go over your options with you.
If you still have questions, feel free to give us a call at 877-670-3557. When you call you will be directly connected to a local insurance agent who can answer all of your questions and help you find the health insurance plan that works best for you.
