Individual Health Insurance Plans

Save Time and Money and Get Best Individual Health Insurance Plan in Arizona

A local independent health insurance broker knows everything about Arizona individual health insurance plans so you don’t have to. Discover the benefits of working with a local, independent health insurance broker.

There are dozens of variations of individual health insurance plans in Arizona. How do you find the best plan for your individual needs and budget? Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know when buying individual health insurance.

What is an Individual Health Insurance Plan?

Individual health insurance, also known as private health insurance, is a stand-alone health insurance policy. Individual health insurance plans are purchased as a safeguard against costly medical bills. They also provide financial protection in case of long-term illness.

Health insurance plans for individuals are created by healthcare companies, often called providers and carriers. A few of the top Arizona healthcare providers are: Ambetter, Blue Cross Blue Shield, BrightHealth, Cigna, Oscar, and United Healthcare.

You can purchase an individual health insurance plan from a variety of places. For example, you can buy online from national websites, you can purchase directly from the provider, or you can purchase from a local health insurance agent (the best way!).

Who Needs an Individual Health Insurance Plan?

Individual health insurance plans are for people who don’t have access to employer-sponsored or government-run health coverage. This includes people who are employed by a small business that doesn’t provide health benefits, people who are self-employed, and people who retire before they’re eligible for Medicare and have to retain their own personal health coverage until they reach age 65.

Finding the Best Individual Health Insurance for You

When you’re looking for an individual health insurance plan, you will want to consider a few things.

First and most importantly, you’ll want to think about your health. This includes your current state of health as well as any pre-existing conditions that you might have. You may want to get extra coverage if you have a high-cost medical condition.

Note that your health history won’t affect your ability to get an individual health insurance plan. The coverage is purchased separately from your medical records.

Your budget is another factor to consider. Financial planning is an important part of any major life decision. You’ll want to consider how much you’ll be paying out-of-pocket each year as well as how much each policy will cost.

The best way to find the right health insurance policy in Arizona is to shop around. This means comparing your options.

You can start by looking into different insurance providers and the plans they offer. We recommend that you consider the following when you’re shopping for an individual health insurance plan: plan type, coverage amount, premium, out-of-pocket expenses, types of coverage, plan limitations, and reputation of the provider.

Keep in mind that providers and plans vary by county in Arizona. Also, the plans can vary by healthcare networks (i.e. doctors) and hospital. The many variables involved in getting healthcare in Arizona is a primary reason for working with a local insurance agent.

How Much Does Individual Health Insurance Cost?

In Arizona, premium costs for individual health insurance plans can vary significantly, depending on the applicant’s age, zip code, whether they use tobacco, and the health insurance company they choose. However, monthly premiums do not vary based on gender or an applicant’s medical history.

Another factor that can significantly affect the cost of health insurance is premium tax credits, or federal government subsidies provided under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare and the marketplace.

In 2020, the more than 10.5 million people enrolled in ACA individual health insurance coverage through the marketplaces in 2020, the average premium was $575/month.

However, that’s the full-price premium, and many people don’t pay full price because of the subsidy provided by the ACA. In 2020, 86 percent of marketplace enrollees were receiving subsidies, and those tax credits averaged $491/month.

The federal government makes premium tax credit payments directly to the health insurers, covering the large majority of the average premium.

Plan Limitations and Exclusions

As you’re shopping for an individual health insurance plan, you’ll want to be aware of and fully understand any plan limitations. Pay attention to any exclusions or limitations on coverage.

Exclusions are reasons that you won’t be covered for certain services or treatments. Limitations are limits on the amount of coverage that you’ll receive for certain services.

You may want to get extra coverage if you have a high-cost medical condition. You may also want extra coverage for prescription drugs. This can help you avoid significant out-of-pocket costs. You may also want extra coverage for dental care.

Health insurance limitations and exclusions can be very confusing. We highly recommend you work with a local Arizona health insurance agent to help you understand exactly what you need and are buying.

Reputation of the Provider

When you’re shopping for an individual health insurance plan, also consider the reputation of the provider. Some health insurance providers provide extra benefits like remote doctor visits and health apps for your phone that can be extremely helpful. Other providers may have a reputation for being difficult to work with and denying treatments.

You can get a feel for a provider’s reputation by looking at online reviews, reading news stories, and exploring public records. You can also talk to people you know and trust who have experience with health insurance. You may want to avoid providers with a bad reputation. They may be more likely to deny claims.

Final Words

Finding and buying individual health insurance in Arizona can be a daunting task. As described above, health insurance today is very complex and insurance laws change every year. The terminology used in the insurance industry is unfamiliar to most people, making it hard to navigate the system.

Do you need an individual health insurance plan? There is no need to go it alone. A local independent health insurance agent knows everything about enrolling in Arizona individual health insurance plans. A local agent will help you find the best plan for your needs and budget, and can make sure you get enrolled successfully.

Click here to find an agent near you.