Health Plan Advocates provides a cost-free service to help individuals and families compare health insurance plans. Our streamlined process begins with a few simple questions about your insurance needs. We then compare all available plans in your area side-by-side, allowing you to easily determine which plan best suits your needs and those of your family. Our comprehensive comparison service ensures that you are able to make an informed decision about your health insurance coverage.

In order to ensure that you have the appropriate health insurance coverage for your needs, it is recommended that you contact a licensed health insurance agent. This professional can provide you with information about the various available plans and help you to make an educated decision. After reviewing the options, you can then select the coverage that best meets your needs with confidence.

Decisions That Affect Health Insurance Cost

There’s not much you can do to change the factors that raise your premiums. But one thing you can do is figure out which metal plan in the ACA marketplace works best for you, says Casey. Each metal represents how you and your insurance company will share insurance costs—though all of these plans cover preventive services at no additional cost to you.

Here’s a quick look:

• Bronze
  Insurance company pays: 60% of total yearly costs of your care
  You pay: 40%

A lower-costing bronze plan is a way to protect yourself in emergencies, and may be a good choice if you are in very good health and see the doctor infrequently. Your monthly premium may be low, but you may have to pay a lot before meeting your deductible.

• Silver
  Insurance company pays: 70% of total yearly costs of your care
  You pay: 30%

If you qualify for cost-sharing reductions, this is could be the best plan to choose. It could save money each year, especially if you use a lot of care. You’ll most likely pay a higher monthly premium than a bronze plan, but you’ll pay a lower percentage of the out-of-pocket costs when receiving care.

• Gold
  Insurance company pays: 80% of total yearly costs of your care
  You pay: 20%

Gold plans usually have a high monthly premium, but if you expect to need a lot of care throughout the year, it may still end up being the best value.

• Platinum
   Insurance company pays: 90% of total yearly costs of your care
  You pay: 10%

When considering a health insurance plan, it is important to consider the monthly premium and deductible. Generally, platinum plans have the highest monthly premium but the lowest deductible, meaning that your insurance will begin to cover your out-of-pocket costs sooner. Additionally, the cost of prescription medications should be taken into account. If you take generic medications, they will likely be affordable on any plan. However, if you take brand-name medications that are expensive, it may be beneficial to select a higher-tier plan with more generous coverage.

Individuals under the age of 30 may be eligible for a catastrophic health insurance plan. These plans feature low monthly premiums and a high deductible of $8,150 in 2020. After the deductible is met, the insurance company will cover all covered services with no copayment or coinsurance. To compare health insurance plans, contact a Health Plan Advocates licensed insurance agent at (800) 304-3414 or visit HealthPlanAdvocates.com.

The Bottom Line.

Obtaining an accurate estimate of the cost of basic health insurance can be facilitated by requesting a quote from a licensed healthcare agent.

Health Plan Advocates emphasizes the importance of taking a comprehensive family medical history in order to assess the potential risk of developing certain diseases. Additionally, information regarding current prescriptions and preferred medical professionals is collected in order to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the available health plans and determine the most suitable option for the individual.

To discuss health benefits, please contact a licensed Health Plan Advocates agent at (800) 940-0633 or visit HealthPlanAdvocates.com to connect with a knowledgeable representative.

Navigating the healthcare system can be a complex and time-consuming process, especially when it comes to understanding the costs associated with health insurance. Brett Casey, a licensed insurance agent with Health Plan Advocates in Oklahoma City, explains that there is no universal answer to the question of health insurance prices. However, there are certain guidelines that can be followed to provide an estimate of the cost of health insurance and enable individuals to make an informed decision. To learn more about health insurance costs and to speak with a licensed insurance agent, contact Health Plan Advocates at (800) 940-0633 or visit HealthPlanAdvocates.com.

Factors That Affect Health Insurance Cost.

The cost of individual health insurance can vary significantly, and several key factors can influence the amount of premium one pays. These factors include age, with premiums potentially being up to three times higher for older adults than for younger ones, and income. Individuals shopping for health insurance on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace may be eligible for cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) if their income falls below a certain level.

A Consumer-Directed Health Plan (CDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA) can provide individuals with a lower out-of-pocket cost for medical services. This is due to a lower deductible, copayment, and coinsurance, as well as a lower out-of-pocket maximum. To take advantage of these benefits, individuals must select a silver level ACA marketplace plan. Silver plans are the most popular, as they tend to have moderate monthly premiums and costs when medical care is needed.

• Where you live: Location matters when it comes to health insurance. Costs vary by state, depending on everything from competition among healthcare companies to state regulations and how much it costs to live there.
• Number of people in your household: It makes sense that the more people you have on your health plan, the more you’ll pay for it. But depending on your income level and household size, you may be eligible for a premium tax credit, which can lower you monthly the monthly premiums for an ACA plan. Unlike cost-sharing reductions, a premium tax credit can be used with any metal level plan.
• Whether you use tobacco: Thinking about quitting smoking? Insurance companies can charge tobacco users up to 50% more than those who don’t use tobacco.

What Type of Plan Should I Buy?

An Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) is a type of managed care plan in which services are only covered if they are provided by doctors, specialists, or hospitals that are part of the plan’s network. In the event of an emergency, services may be covered even if they are not provided by a network provider.

A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is a type of health insurance plan that provides coverage to its members through a network of doctors who are employed by or contracted with the HMO. Generally, members of an HMO are not eligible for coverage for out-of-network care, with the exception of emergency medical care.

Point of Service (POS) plans provide individuals with the opportunity to receive healthcare services at a reduced cost by utilizing doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers that are part of the plan’s network. In order to be seen by a specialist, a referral must be obtained from the individual’s primary care doctor.

A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) is a type of health insurance plan that offers members the flexibility to access care from both in-network and out-of-network providers. Members of a PPO plan are typically provided with a reduced cost for services rendered by in-network providers, while out-of-network providers may be accessed for an additional cost. It is not typically necessary to obtain a referral from an in-network provider in order to access care from an out-of-network provider.