Best Arizona Health Insurance for 2022 – Benzinga
Want to jump straight to health insurance quotes? Compare here and find the cheapest premium with the best coverage.
Think finding cheap health insurance in Arizona is as overwhelming as hiking the entire Grand Canyon? The number of plans available makes it difficult to decide which one is best for you.
You might have questions about health insurance in Arizona. Follow this guide to learn how health insurance works, how to get it and which insurance companies offer cheap health insurance in Arizona.
Quick Look: The Best Arizona Health Insurance
Best for No-Cost Virtual and Preventive Care: OscarBest for Nationwide Coverage: BCBS of ArizonaBest Pharmacy Programs: CignaBest for Affordable Health Insurance Plans With Generous Benefits: AmbetterBest for Affordable Plans, Some With No Deductible: Bright Health
The Best Arizona Health Insurance
We took the time to research the best health insurance providers in Arizona for you. In addition to plan costs, we looked at awards and additional benefits from each provider. Check out our top picks for cheap health insurance in Arizona.
1. Oscar
Oscar Insurance offers a range of HMO health plans in Arizona. Plans from Oscar are some of the cheapest in Arizona.
They offer plans in several tiers so you can get the cheapest insurance, depending on your coverage needs. The company offers a doctor on call at no extra charge, which allows you to make a call in the Oscar mobile app and speak to a board-certified doctor anytime, anywhere.
Best For
No-cost virtual and preventive care
get started
Call Now
securely through Oscar Health Insurance’s
website
# of Healthcare Providers
N/A
1 Minute Review
Here’s a quick Oscar Health Insurance Review: Oscar Health offers Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) plans. EPOs are similar to Preferred Provider Organization plans, however, if you visit a specialist, doctor, lab, or hospital that’s not in its network, you’ll have to pay 100% of the costs unless it’s an emergency.
Oscar Health Insurance is a relative newcomer to the health insurance scene. It was founded in 2012 and operates in 18 U.S. states. Some of the perks include no-cost virtual care and preventative care visits and financial rewards of up to $100 per year for meeting walking goals.
The company offers Medicare Advantage Plans, health insurance plans for individuals and families and business health insurance plans, along with a variety of health insurance plans to meet many levels of healthcare requirements.
Best For
Individuals who need basic medical care
Free preventive care including annual physicals and most vaccines
Virtual medical care visits
Pros
Up to $100 per year is available for reaching walking goals
No referrals needed for any plan
24/7 doctor on call online visits available
Variety of plans to fit any level of healthcare needs or budget
Cons
Coverage is only available in 18 states
Lower deductible or no deductible plans are expensive
No dental or vision coverage
2. BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona
BlueCross BlueShield, one of the largest networks in the country, offers health insurance in a majority of states through local companies. BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona is the 2019 runner-up for the J.D. Power Health Plan Satisfaction Study award.
The company ranks highly among health insurance providers in categories like coverage and benefits, provider choices and communication with customers. The overall satisfaction rating from J.D. Power is among the best of providers in the Southwest.
Best For
Nationwide coverage
get started
Call Now
securely through Blue Cross Blue Shield’s
website
# of Healthcare Providers
28k+
1 Minute Review
Blue Cross Blue Shield consists of 35 separate companies that provide health insurance for roughly one-third of Americans. The company serves all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and many international areas.
While you look into the BCBS affiliates near you, understand what health plans are available as well as the health insurance cost. It offers extensive coverage that gives just about every American the opportunity to purchase a BCBS-affiliated health plan. However, be sure to read up on the company because the premiums and deductibles may not suit you and your circumstances.
Best For
Desire for a new doctor with plenty of options
No cap on annual maximum limits
Comprehensive coverage with exclusive discounts and partnerships
Pros
Coverage in all 50 states and outside the country
Covers both generic and brand-name drugs
Wide network of doctors, hospitals and specialists
Cons
Plans offered through regional companies, meaning you must look to your regional company for specific policies
Main customer service helpline may be difficult to reach
3. Cigna
Cigna ranks among the best of providers in the 2019 J.D. Power Health Plan Satisfaction Study in customer service, provider choice and ease of billing.
The company offers several cheap health insurance plans in Arizona. In addition to a large provider network, Cigna gives members access to several mobile apps.
These apps help make it easier to manage your account and make healthy choices.
Best For
Pharmacy programs
# of Healthcare Providers
875k+
1 Minute Review
Cigna Health Insurance offers low-cost private health insurance and Medicare Advantage and Supplement Plans for families and individuals. Founded in 1982 and based in Bloomfield, Connecticut, the company offers a wide array of health insurance plans including three Bronze plans, four Silver and one Gold. All Cigna plans are EPO plans, meaning they are all in-network. Free telehealth visits come with every plan and are available to customers 24/7.
The four-metal tier coverage plans include:
Bronze
Expanded bronze
Silver
Gold
Individual and family Cigna private insurance plans are all available on the Marketplace and through the Cigna website, as well as with licensed agents in each state. Because they are sold through the Marketplace, they can only be purchased during your state’s open enrollment period. Special enrollment periods apply for special circumstances.
Best For
Easy access to benefits
Pharmacy programs
Savings and spending accounts such as HSA and FSA
Supplemental plans
Pros
Home delivery for prescriptions
Health management mobile apps
Easy ID card replacement
Cons
Potentially high deductibles
Not available in all 50 states
4. Ambetter from Arizona Complete Health
Ambetter plans from Arizona Complete Health give you a handful of plan options for cheap health insurance. The company also offers plenty of additional benefits if you choose to enroll in an Ambetter plan.
The My Health Pays rewards program allows you to earn cash for future purchases or services by making healthy choices.
Your rewards can be redeemed for doctor’s visit copays, put toward your deductible and even used to pay your monthly utility bills.
Best For
Affordable health insurance plans with generous benefits
Disclosure: Coverage not available in every area
# of Healthcare Providers
Depends on your location
1 Minute Review
Ambetter Health Insurance offers plans in some parts of the United States. In each state it serves, there are several plan options for policyholders to choose from, including an affordable “catastrophic” health insurance plan or coverage with a lower deductible. Better still, some of these plans offer coverage for adult dental and vision services at an affordable cost.
When you enroll in an Ambetter health insurance plan, you’ll also have access to user benefits that can make your life easier. This includes telehealth services with a $0 copay and a 24/7 nurse advice line to answer questions and provide support at any time of day. Policyholders with prescriptions can also enroll in a mail-order pharmacy program to receive their medication right at their front door.
That doesn’t mean that Ambetter is perfect. This insurance provider doesn’t offer a mobile app, so there is no way to easily access your health insurance information and manage your plan on the go. Ambetter isn’t known for its customer service either.
It’s important to weigh the pros and cons when choosing a health insurance plan. Start with our Ambetter health insurance review to help determine whether you should consider this insurance provider.
Best For
Affordable plans for relatively healthy people
Telehealth services
Pros
Some plans offer vision and adult dental insurance coverage
Perks program to help save on healthy living
Low monthly premiums
Cons
Only available in some states
Poor customer service reputation
5. Bright Health
If you live in Phoenix, you can take advantage of Bright Health insurance plans. The plans are cheap and give you access to Bright Health Rewards.
This rewards program gives you cash back for healthy choices. When you enroll in a Bright Health plan, you’ll get a debit card that is loaded with your cash rewards. Anyone on your Bright Health plan, such as a spouse or children, can earn rewards for the family.
Best For
Affordable plans, some with no deductible
Compare Health Insurance Plans
Disclosure: Bright HealthCare provides small business, individual, family and Medicare Advantage health insurance plans. These plans are only available in limited markets in the United States, and the company further limits its reach by only covering services performed by participating providers.
There are several advantages to the plans from this company. Its variety of plan options can provide a great value at a low cost for many people. Telehealth services are also covered by these plans. Even with its advantages, though, there is 1 downside — a high number of customer complaints.
Overall, Bright HealthCare is a solid option to explore for those looking for affordable health plans, especially healthy people who don’t anticipate needing much healthcare.
# of Healthcare Providers
Depends on location
1 Minute Review
Coverage, plans and benefits only available in select areas and with select plans.
Best For
People who want a $0 deductible plan
People who want telehealth coverage
People who don’t anticipate many healthcare expenses
Pros
Focuses on personalized services through its Care Partner networks
Plans are affordable, and in some markets, the best deal
Some plans offer $0 deductibles
Cons
Coverage is available in select markets only
There is a high number of customer service complaints
What is Health Insurance?
Health insurance helps you pay for medical bills, like a hospital stay or surgery. You pay a set fee each month, called a premium, to your insurance company. If you need to visit the doctor or go to the hospital, your insurance pays for part of the bill.
How to Get Cheap Health Insurance in Arizona
You might be wondering how to get health insurance or how to know if you’re currently covered. Most employers offer an employee health insurance benefit plan. An employer plan (group plan) allows you and your coworkers to receive discounted insurance premiums. Employers not only offer a plan but pay for a portion of the premium as well.
Most group health insurance plans offer coverage to your dependents, too. Your dependents include your spouse if you’re married or any children you have. Some group health plans also cover unmarried domestic partners.
If your health insurance plan offers coverage for domestic partners, you and your partner may need to sign an affidavit of domestic partnership. This form states you’re in a committed romantic relationship, live together and plan to continue your relationship for the foreseeable future. This helps to reduce the chance of ineligible individuals who take advantage of health insurance benefits, such as roommates.
Under the Affordable Care Act, children are considered dependents up to age 26. For example, let’s say you’re a student in Arizona and have health insurance from one of your parents’ employers. You’re eligible to stay on that plan as long as your parent continues to enroll in the plan. Even if you graduate and take a job that offers insurance, you can turn down employer health insurance coverage and stay on your parent’s plan until you turn 26.
Don’t have health insurance through an employer? Too old to be on a parent’s plan? There are still plenty of options for health insurance. You can shop for an individual health insurance plan. Most individual plans cost more per month than an employer plan.
You may want to pay for individual health insurance if that’s your only option. One large medical bill could end up costing you tens of thousands of dollars. Health insurance can help reduce the amount you have to pay out of pocket.
Average Cost of Health Insurance in Arizona
The annual average cost of health insurance premiums in Arizona is $1,554 for employees on a group plan — about $130 per month that you must pay. Employers cover an average of $4,675 in premiums each year, or just under $390 per month. The total average cost for a group health insurance plan in Arizona is $6,229.
Average premiums for individual insurance plans in Arizona in 2019 range from $359–$592 per month.
There are options to find affordable health insurance in Arizona. Your monthly premium is primarily based on 3 things:
AgeZIP codeWhether you use tobacco
You can’t change your age and probably can’t change your location, but you can stop smoking. Cutting out tobacco use can help you save money on health insurance. Other ways to lower your insurance premiums include:
Choose a high deductible plan: A deductible is the amount of money you must pay out of pocket before your insurance pays for medical bills. Some plans offer a high deductible in exchange for lower monthly premiums.Get a catastrophic plan: Catastrophic plans are only available if you’re under 30 or qualify for a hardship exemption, which means you’ve proven you can’t afford other health insurance options. Catastrophic plans cover a few basic, preventive doctor visits per year. Any other expenses must be paid out of pocket until the high deductible is met.Check subsidy eligibility: If you meet certain income requirements, you could be eligible for a subsidy from the government to help cover health insurance costs.
Types of Health Coverage
Before you look into your coverage options, it’s important to know the common terms you’ll see when shopping for health insurance.
Deductible: Your deductible is the amount of money you have to pay for medical services before your insurance starts to pay. Deductibles usually reset each year, so you’ll have to pay the deductible every year you’re enrolled in the plan.Coinsurance: The percentage of medical services you have to cover out of pocket. For example, you see your doctor and have a 20% coinsurance. You pay 20% of the visit bill and your insurance pays the remaining 80% if you’ve met your deductible.Copayment: Like coinsurance, a copayment is an amount you have to pay for medical services. Instead of a percentage of the cost of a service, however, a copayment is a fixed price for specific services. A doctor’s office visit, for example, may have a $20 copayment.Provider network: Your health insurance provider will contract with certain doctors and health care facilities, known as the provider network. You often receive a lower cost when you visit a doctor within your network.Out-of-pocket limit: This is the maximum amount of money you’ll pay out of pocket for medical services covered by your insurance plan. Your out-of-pocket limit doesn’t include the cost of your monthly premiums.
Most health insurance plans fall into 2 types of coverage:
Health maintenance organization (HMO): HMO plans require you to visit in-network doctors and health care facilities. If you choose an out-of-network doctor you’ll probably have to pay the entire bill out of pocket, except in emergencies. You may also have to choose a primary care provider and get a referral if you need to see a specialist.Preferred provider organization (PPO): Unlike HMO plans, PPO plans don’t require you to choose a primary provider. You can also choose to visit any health care provider you wish. You’ll usually receive more coverage if you go to an in-network doctor or facility.
HMO plans tend to be less expensive than PPO plans. However, you usually have to live within a certain service area to qualify for HMO plans. HMO plans also don’t offer the flexibility of PPO plans.
What Does Health Insurance Cover?
Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies have to cover certain services and treatments. There are 10 benefits that all health insurance plans must offer, known as the 10 essential benefits.
Preventive and wellness services, including chronic disease managementLaboratory servicesPediatric care, or care for children — including dental and vision coverageAmbulatory patient services, or care you get without being admitted to a hospitalEmergency servicesHospitalizationMental health and substance use disorder carePrescription drugsPregnancy and newborn care both during pregnancy and after birthRehabilitative and habilitative services and devices, or services to help people with injuries or disabilities regain or develop mental and physical skills
What Does Health Insurance Not Cover?
Each health insurance plan has to offer coverage for the 10 essential benefits, there are certain services and treatments not usually covered. Most treatments your health insurance won’t cover are considered non-medically necessary or too experimental in nature.
Some examples of services most health insurance plans in Arizona don’t cover include:
Weight-loss treatments or surgeryCosmetic surgeryAlternative therapies or treatments, such as acupunctureAdult dental and vision careNursing home care
Find Affordable Arizona Health Insurance
Find cheap health insurance in Arizona by looking at plans from our top choices for affordable insurance companies. Compare several quotes and get covered by health insurance today.
Should health insurance cover elective procedures?
1
Should health insurance cover elective procedures?
asked 2022-03-24
Tara Seboldt
1
No, health insurance generally does not cover elective procedures. In rare cases, they may be covered for reconstructive purposes.
Answer Link
answered 2022-03-24
Benzinga
When do you renew your health insurance?
1
When do you renew your health insurance?
asked 2022-03-24
Tara Seboldt
1
You will renew your health insurance every year during the open enrollment period in the fall.
Answer Link
answered 2022-03-24
Benzinga
