SEEKING TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO CHEAP HEALTH INSURANCE
All of us require health care. A decent health insurance plan may help you prioritise your health without spending more money than you have to in order to pay for it. You probably need assistance paying for it, too. We’re here to assist you in making an educated decision about your health insurance so that you can save money and safeguard your physical, emotional, and financial health.
When it comes to the price of health insurance, the best and worst states in the US vary greatly. Fortunately, no matter where you live, there are numerous ways to find affordable health insurance options. A government-funded programme called Medicaid was developed for people and families with low incomes. Medicaid provides free or inexpensive health insurance, though state-by-state eligibility rules apply. Through a distinct government programme called Medicare, which offers plans like Medicare Advantage that cover the majority of medical costs, seniors can obtain the most affordable health insurance.
The Health Insurance Marketplace in your state is the greatest location to look for affordable health insurance if you don’t qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. These plans typically cost $477 a month. Rates vary greatly depending on where you live and if you qualify for a premium tax credit.
Medicaid Is the Most Affordable Choice for Low-Income People & Families
In 38 states, Medicaid eligibility for low-income people and families is based only on income as part of the Medicaid expansion. You cannot be eligible for the remaining states based solely on your income level. A single person must make $17,774 or less to qualify as the income cut-off is typically 133% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
The income cutoff level rises with the size of the household. You must be low-income and meet another eligibility condition, like child guardianship or being over 65, in the 12 states that do not allow income-only Medicaid qualifications.
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kansas
- Mississippi
- N. Carolina
- Carolina, South
- Dakota, South
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Emergency treatment, family planning, child healthcare, and a few other limited coverages are still free under Medicaid, notwithstanding state variations in the program’s provisions. You can be required to pay copays for inpatient hospital care, doctor visits, and prescription medications depending on your state and income levels.
Do Your Income Levels Determine Whether You Qualify for Medicaid?
As a necessary component of Medicaid eligibility expansion, only income levels in 38 states are used to determine eligibility for Medicaid. In 36 of the 38 states, the income level is the same, however, it varies depending on the size of your home. There are various thresholds for Alaska and Hawaii. See if you qualify for Medicaid by looking at the table below to see the income threshold for your state.
The Lowest Cost Health Insurance Available in Each State
Following the passage of the Affordable Care Act, often known as Obamacare, individuals and families suddenly had a new option for obtaining low-cost health insurance. The Health Insurance Marketplace exchange for private insurance now exists in every state. By state, coverage options differ. The greatest alternative for people without employer-provided insurance and those who don’t qualify for Medicaid or Medicare is one of these health insurance plans.
If you are eligible for a premium tax credit, you can get health insurance at the lowest rates. You may still qualify even if your income is higher than the federal poverty line. To assist you in locating the least expensive health insurance provider and Silver plan in your state, MoneyGeek collected and evaluated the relevant data. A middle-of-the-road option, silver plans blend reasonable deductibles with reasonable healthcare expenditures.
To find low-cost health insurance plans in your area, click on your state from the list below. For additional information on the Bronze and Gold programmes, keep reading.
Plans for Bronze, Silver, and Gold: An Overview of Metal Tiers
How the expense of medical care is divided between you and the insurance provider is determined by the several metal tiers in the Health Insurance Marketplace. The more liability placed on the insurance provider, the more expensive your rates will be.
Bronze: In the Bronze plan, you bear the majority of the costs or about 40%. Although this policy provides affordable monthly premiums with a national average of $383, it can be expensive if you have high medical expenses. Our data show a maximum yearly out-of-pocket expense of $8,137 but an average annual deductible of $6,791. The people who can afford their own basic medical care but want coverage for major diseases or injuries are best suited for a Bronze plan.
Silver: If you select a Silver plan, you may anticipate paying about 30% of your medical expenses. Although this plan’s yearly deductible is lower than that of a Bronze plan with a monthly premium of $503 on average throughout the nation, your premium will be higher. According to our research, a Silver plan’s average yearly deductible is $4,236 and its typical out-of-pocket maximum is $7,954. You might be eligible for further savings with the Silver plan known as cost-sharing reductions, which can cut your copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. If you are eligible, choosing a Silver plan over a Bronze plan might save you hundreds of dollars.
Gold: Individuals and families who choose a Gold plan are required to pay premiums that are on average $562 per month. However, you also spend about 20% less on insurance. The deductible and out-of-pocket maximum for the Gold plan are modest, averaging $1,500 and $6,650 annually, respectively. The higher Gold plan premium may be worthwhile if you anticipate having a lot of medical expenses and can pay the monthly premium in order to have the insurance provider cover the majority of your expenses.
A Catastrophic health insurance plan, which has an extremely large deductible, is also available in some jurisdictions. In some areas, you can also choose a Platinum plan, which has the highest monthly premium but the lowest deductible. Young and extremely healthy people should choose a catastrophic plan, but people who anticipate having a lot of medical expenses should choose a platinum plan.
Depending on the plan, other healthcare services, such as medical management programmes for diabetes and weight control, might also be included. For instance, adult dental and vision coverage is not included in all Marketplace health insurance plans.
Alternatives to Cheapest Health Insurance
You still have options if you are unable to obtain affordable health insurance policies through your employment, Medicaid, or your state’s marketplace. Medicare, non-compliant Affordable Care Act plans, short-term health insurance, a local healthcare ministry, or Farm Bureau health plans may all offer affordable coverage.
Medicare
Medicare is available to Americans 65 and older who are permanent residents. If you meet certain requirements, you may be able to apply before you turn 65. For instance, if you work for a railroad business or are a federal employee with a disability, you may be eligible. Medicare is divided into four components.
Health Insurance for the Short Term
Although they provide coverage for up to a year, short-term health insurance plans aren’t as extensive as Marketplace plans. These plans include doctor visits, walk-in clinics, urgent care, emergency treatment, and preventative care. Some plans may also cover some prescription medications. They can be terminated at any moment without incurring any fees and are intended to bridge brief coverage gaps.
Because the coverage is neither standardised nor required, short-term health insurance has large deductibles, does not cover pre-existing conditions, and is subject to little government regulation. Due to these characteristics, each insurance provider has a different set of plan options, coverage limitations, exclusions, and prices. A medical questionnaire may also be required, which will aid the insurance company in deciding whether to approve or deny your application for coverage.
Health Insurance through Farm Bureau
Farm Bureau plans can be less expensive than other options if you’re healthy and do not qualify for Marketplace subsidies. Pre-existing conditions may not be covered by Farm Bureau health insurance, like with short-term health plans, or there may be a waiting time before they are. When you apply, your medical history is taken into consideration and could result in you being denied coverage.
Farm Bureau plans may be reasonably priced, but they do not have to include the 10 essential health benefits and are not in compliance with the Affordable Care Act requirement. State-specific coverage requirements apply, but if you’re a Farm Bureau member—a separate annual membership fee—you can apply all year long.
UnitedHealthcare offers short-term health insurance coverage when you need it, therefore we chose them for our ranking. If you’re switching between employer-based plans or require temporary coverage for any other reason, this kind of plan may be a good option.
Pros
- long business history
- Available in temporary health insurance
- offers plans that adhere to the ACA
Cons
In practically every region, J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Commercial Health Plan Study received below-average scores.
In some states, short-term plans are not accessible.
Despite having been established in 1977, UnitedHealthcare has expanded significantly and today provides services to over 70 million people. Additionally, this company has direct relationships with more than 1.3 million medical professionals nationwide, including 6,500 hospitals and healthcare facilities. Due to their short-term health insurance choices, which aid customers in bridging gaps between plans, we decided to rank UnitedHealthcare.
If you failed to enrol in the Affordable Care Act’s open enrollment period, are awaiting the start of your coverage, or are between jobs, short-term insurance from UnitedHealthcare may be a wise decision. You can choose your deductible and coverage period, and you can start getting covered the day after you apply. If a long-term insurance alternative becomes available, you can also choose to cancel your short-term coverage without incurring any fees.
It should be noted that Golden Rule Insurance Company, which has an A+ rating from AM Best for financial strength, underwrites UnitedHealthcare’s short-term health insurance policies.
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