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Oklahoma Health Insurance Companies
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Oklahoma Health Insurance Resources
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How to Get the Most Savings
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Oklahoma Health Insurance FAQS
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How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Oklahoma
Oklahoma Health Insurance Companies
Oklahoma has a handful of health insurance companies to choose from, all of which offer affordable plan options. Some of the more popular companies, like the following, offer a wide variety of plans:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma has the most extensive network in the state. It also has the largest network in the United States if you need medical attention while traveling.
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers Medicare Supplement Plans, as well as individual and family health insurance. This company is rated highly in terms of customer satisfaction, as well as convenience, since they offer a mobile app that allows you to manage your healthcare no matter where you are.
Medica
Medica offers Individual and family plans to Oklahoma residents. Their plans have two network options: Medica Quest and Harmony. The first is larger and covers the majority of Oklahoma. Harmony by Medica is only available in a few counties.
Both types of plans provide emergency coverage while traveling. Medica also provides 24/7 healthcare assistance and online access to your account information, as well as wellness programs and a 24/7 nurse line.
CommunityCare HMO
CommunityCare HMO offers plans for family and individuals, Medicare Supplement Plans, and group plans for employers of all sizes. Their individual and family plans have several options under the Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers. Some have $0 copays for doctor’s office visits, while some have a $30-$35 copay.
Health Insurance Marketplace in Oklahoma
If you’re looking for health insurance in Oklahoma, the health insurance Marketplace is a great place to start. Marketplace health insurance, which was created by the Affordable Care Act, offers certain consumer protections, guarantees coverage for pre-existing conditions, and includes coverage for what are 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)
The ACA-compliant plans offered on the Marketplace are divided into 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 may not be able to compare every plan available to you.
Whether you want a Marketplace plan, or a plan from a private insurer, an EZ agent can help. We work with all carriers in your state in order to compare all options available.
Over half of the uninsured in Oklahoma who qualify for Marketplace insurance coverage could get a Bronze plan for FREE.
Oklahoma’s Short Term Health Insurance Guidelines
If you’ve missed the health insurance Open Enrollment Period (OEP), or if you need health insurance for a short amount of time, short-term plans are a great option. It’s important to note, though, that these policies tend to only cover the basics, and you can be denied one of these plans if you have a pre-existing condition.
There are some rules around short-term plans, both at the federal and the state level. Some states choose to have their own guidelines separate from federal guidelines, or to not offer short-term plans at all. In 2019, Oklahoma started following the federal guidelines for short-term plans; prior to that, you could only purchase short-term plans for up to 6 months. Now the initial plan terms are 364 days, and you can renew your plan 3 times to get a maximum coverage time of just under 3 years. You also have the option to purchase a new plan after your initial one has expired.
Oklahoma Health Insurance Resources
You have access to a number of resources in your state that can help you obtain coverage. You can look at insurance companies’ websites, talk to your employer, or check out the assistance offered by the government.
Insurance company websites – Before making a direct purchase, you can use the website of an insurance company you are interested in to explore and evaluate its various policies. Because they will only have their plans available to view, this is only helpful if you are certain that they have the best options for you.
Your employer – While employers in Oklahoma are not required to offer health insurance to their employees, most employers provide a group health plan that employees can enroll in. You can inquire about options and prices with your HR department.
Government assistance programs – There are government-sponsored programs like Medicare and Medicaid that can offer you free or low-cost health insurance if you meet certain eligibility criteria. Anyone who is 65 years of age or older, as well as adults between the ages of 18 and 65 who have a qualifying disability, are eligible for Medicare. Low-cost Medicare plans offer a wide range of health services. Families and individuals with low incomes are eligible for Medicaid. You can get a free plan if you meet all of their requirements.
But even though all three of the above options are good ones, they have flaws, like having to meet certain criteria or having limited options. So, the best resource you have at your disposal is an insurance agent. EZ agents will examine every option available to you across all platforms, including those that are funded by the government, to guarantee that the plan you choose is truly the most affordable and includes all the coverage you need.
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How to Get the Most Savings
Oklahoma is one of the most expensive states in the country in terms of healthcare costs, ranked 10th out of the 50 states for healthcare spending per capita. An individual’s annual medical expenses in your state are on average $9,997, but you can still take actions to lower the cost of your health insurance.
The best place to begin is with your health, especially your weight. The obesity rate in Oklahoma is 36.8%! And if you’re among this group, you’ll probably pay more for health insurance, since insurers look at your body mass index (BMI) when determining your rates. You can find lower health insurance rates by maintaining a healthy BMI.
Tobacco use is another factor that affects how much you’ll pay for your health insurance. The cost of health insurance for smokers might be up to 50% higher than for non-smokers, so quitting will not only help with your healthcare costs in general but could also mean much lower insurance premiums.
But the easiest way to guarantee that you find the most savings is to work with a qualified agent. EZ’s agents are experts at locating plans that fit your budget, as well as at finding any local discounts you may be eligible for. Working with an EZ agent could result in savings of several hundred dollars a year. And we will never charge you anything for any of our services.
Oklahoma Health Insurance FAQS
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Does Oklahoma require you to have health insurance?
Oklahoma has no health insurance mandate, and there is no longer a federal tax penalty for not having a plan, either.
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What is the cheapest health insurance in Oklahoma?
The cheapest health plan will be a Bronze plan, which can start as low as $367 a month. Remember, though, health insurance plan prices can vary depending on age, zip code, gender, and other factors.
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How much does health insurance cost in Oklahoma?
The average monthly premium for health insurance in Oklahoma is $568, or $6,816 per year, with plans as low as $367 a month to as high as $1,347. But do not let these numbers scare you. There are many uninsured people in Oklahoma who qualify for a $0 Bronze plan and don’t even know it.
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Which insurance companies offer plans in Oklahoma?
The top 7 insurers in Oklahoma are Ambetter, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma, CommunityCare HMO, Friday Health Plans, Medica Insurance Company, Oscar Health, and UnitedHealthcare of Oklahoma.
How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Oklahoma
Now that you are aware of your choices, it’s time to enroll, and there are numerous ways to do so. You can enroll in your employer’s group health plan, if they offer one, or conduct an independent search for a plan by contacting carriers directly or checking out their websites. Another choice is the Health Insurance Marketplace. On the federal exchange, Oklahoma residents can browse and compare insurance options.
However, you’re thinking of enrolling, EZ agents are on hand to assist. We can answer any of your questions and walk you through the whole process. We’ll look into all of your options taking into account your age, financial situation, and overall health. To provide you with the most cost-effective coverage, we work with the top insurance companies in the nation.
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.
