Best VA Health Insurance for 2022 – Benzinga
Want to jump straight to health insurance quotes? Compare here and find the cheapest premium with the best coverage.
No one wants to spend the time to shop for health insurance. After all, you’d rather spend time enjoying the scenery and history of Virginia. We’re here to help your search for health insurance a little easier, so you can spend more time on the things you want to do.
Quick Look: The Best VA Health Insurance
The Best VA Health Insurance
You might feel overwhelmed as you search for the best health insurance in Virginia. Between plan types, deductibles and premiums, it’s difficult to know which option is best. Let us help you start your search with our top picks for the best insurance providers in Virginia.
1. Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente, or the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, is an excellent option for anyone who needs health insurance in Virginia. The company won the 2019 J.D.
Power Health Plan Satisfaction Study Award, ranking among the best providers in overall satisfaction. Kaiser gives you plenty of plan options.
You can choose to have a lower-cost premium and higher deductible or pay a little more each month and get a lower deductible.
Best For
Access to Kaiser medical specialists
# of Healthcare Providers
150k+
1 Minute Review
Kaiser Permanente is a not-for-profit health plan. Kaiser Permanente offers both health insurance and health care, which has resulted in excellent reviews from customers and rating organizations. Kaiser Permanente does have limited service areas, and you typically need to stay in-network for services unless you’re experiencing an emergency.
Best For
People in Kaiser Permanente service areas
People who don’t mind managed care
People who like to manage their care online
Pros
Many services available in one location
Ability to make appointments online or using an app
Good customer service
Cons
Limited service area
Need to stay in the Kaiser Permanente network for most services
2. Aetna
While Kaiser won the J.D. Power award for the greater Southern Atlantic area, Aetna Better Health of Virginia won the 2019 award in Virginia. Aetna ranks among the best for insurance providers in overall satisfaction and cost.
In addition, the company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can find a lot of great resources and transparent communication about coverage on the easy-to-use Aetna Better Health of Virginia website.
# of Healthcare Providers
700k+
1 Minute Review
In the past, Aetna health insurance plans were available on Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces across the country. Though Aetna no longer offers ACA-compliant plans, the company continues to make healthcare more affordable through Medicare Advantage Part D coverage and dental insurance plans.
Aetna’s Medicare options extend to most parts of the country, and premiums for Advantage plans begin at $0 a month. Part D coverage, which helps pay for prescription drugs, begins at about $7 a month in most states. Additionally, Aetna offers dental insurance and dental discount plan options that anyone who doesn’t have dental coverage through their employer can take advantage of. In addition, Aetna also offers a number of additional benefits not seen with other coverage providers, including discounts on prescription drugs and rewards for meeting health goals.
Pros
Offers multiple mobile app offerings to reward you for reaching fitness goals
Dental discount plans may include coverage for prescription drugs
Medicare Advantage plans available with no monthly premiums
Cons
Vision insurance only available when purchased with a dental plan
ACA-compliant health insurance no longer available
3. Cigna
Cigna also has an A+ rating with the BBB. The company provides several mobile apps to help you stay connected to your health. Access your ID card, view claims history and find what’s covered by your plan with the myCigna Mobile App.
Coach by Cigna gives you access to health and fitness resources right in your pocket. The other apps provide a combination of member services and health resources so you can download the app that’s best for your lifestyle.
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. Anthem
Anthem Health Plans of Virginia give you excellent access to a large provider network.
The company ranks highly for coverage and benefit options in the 2019 J.D. Power Health Satisfaction Survey.
The sleek, secure website allows you to make payments online and view important information about your plan.
Best For
Quality health insurance
Best For
Quality health insurance
1 Minute Review
Anthem health insurance is the third-largest company in the country since it sells policies in all 50 states. The needs of individuals, families, seniors and anyone else who qualifies for state Medicaid programs are the top priority. Anthem operates through affiliate companies and subsidies that serve only certain states and regions. It has more than 106 million customers. To get a better understanding of the benefits of Anthem and its plans, including health insurance cost, scopes of coverage and customer ratings to help determine if the company is right for you, keep reading below.
Best For
A variety of policy options
Pros
People who need standard health insurance plans and coverage
Those who want to combine health insurance with vision, dental or other policies
Cons
Large, less-personal experience
Possibility of coverage denial
5. CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
CareFirst provides some health insurance plans in Virginia. Plans are available to residents of Northern Virginia with options for affordable premiums and great coverage.
A big benefit of CareFirst plans is the ability to get a video visit with a doctor. If you can’t make it to a healthcare facility, you can video chat with a doctor to get the care you need.
Best For
Nationwide coverage
get started
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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
What is Health Insurance?
Medical treatments and services are expensive. Even a simple annual checkup at the doctor could cost you a lot of money. You can use health insurance to help combat the cost of health care.
Health insurance is a type of insurance that helps you pay for medical services. You pay your insurance company a monthly fee, called a premium, to enroll in a health insurance plan. When you visit the doctor, your health insurance plan helps cover part of the cost.
For example, you catch a disease that leaves you in the hospital for several days. Your hospital and medical bills would likely be several thousand dollars. Without insurance, you have to pay the full amount of your expensive medical bills yourself. With health insurance, your insurance company helps you by paying a share of the cost.
Average Cost of Health Insurance in Virginia
The cost of health insurance in Virginia depends a lot on whether you have health insurance through a group plan or an individual plan.
A group plan is health insurance coverage you get from an employer. You may have health insurance benefits through your job or your spouse’s job. Group coverage is almost always less expensive than individual health insurance. Your employer pays the majority of your monthly premium. As an employee, you only cover a percentage.
In Virginia, employer health insurance coverage costs $6,635 annually. Employers pay on average $4,889 per year or about $407 per month. As an employee, you can expect to pay $1,746 annual or about $146 per month.
Individual health insurance plans often cost more than a group insurance plan. If you’re self-employed or your employer doesn’t offer health benefits, you may wonder how to get health insurance. One option is to visit the government-run Healthcare Marketplace or contacting insurance providers directly.
Costs for individual plans in Virginia average about $521 per month for middle-tier coverage. That’s a cost of $6,252 annually, which is $708 higher than the national average for similar plans.
Other Costs of Health Insurance
Your monthly premium isn’t the only money you’ll pay for health insurance. Although the specific costs vary by plan, health insurance comes with some expenses you may not be expecting.
Deductible: A deductible is money you pay out of pocket before your health insurance pays. You might have a deductible of $4,000 and need a $4,500 medical treatment. You’ll need to cover the first $4,000 of the treatment before your insurance pays anything. Plans with higher monthly premiums generally have lower deductibles than more affordable health insurance plans.Coinsurance: This is your percentage share of the cost of medical treatments or services. Once you meet your deductible, you’ll pay a percentage of the cost of medical services. For example, a doctor’s visit might have 20% coinsurance. You’ll pay 20% and your insurance pays the remaining 80%.Copayment: A copay is similar to coinsurance, but you’ll pay a fixed price instead of a percentage. You may have a $20 copay as a fee to visit the doctor.Provider network: Most health insurance plans have a group of doctors that contract with the insurance company. Medical services are less expensive when you visit an in-network doctor. Depending on your plan, you may have to cover the full cost of services if you use an out-of-network doctor.Out-of-pocket maximum: The out-of-pocket maximum is the total amount of money you’ll pay for covered services. For example, your out-of-pocket max is $8,000. Once you reach that amount, through your deductible and often your coinsurance or copayments, you won’t have additional out-of-pocket expenses. Your premium payment doesn’t count toward the out-of-pocket maximum.
Types of Health Coverage
As you shop for health insurance, you may notice different types of plans are available. There are 2 main types of health coverage. Each type of coverage comes with advantages and disadvantages.
Health maintenance organization (HMO): An HMO plan uses a provider network to help reduce the cost you’ll pay when you visit the doctor. When you sign up for an HMO, you’ll need to choose a primary care provider. This is the doctor or healthcare facility you’ll use for all of your medical needs. If you need to see a specialist, you’ll have to get a referral from your primary doctor. Going to an out-of-network doctor means you’ll cover the full cost out-of-pocket.Preferred provider organization (PPO): PPO plans use a provider network like HMO plans. With this plan, you’re not required to choose a primary care provider and can visit out-of-network doctors. If you choose to see an out-of-network provider, you can expect to pay a bit more out of pocket than you would at an in-network doctor.
What Does Health Insurance Cover?
Although each health insurance plan is different, most plans cover similar medical treatments and services. The Affordable Care Act requires insurance companies that offer Marketplace plans to cover certain services. This doesn’t mean your insurance has to cover the full cost of these services. You can still expect to pay your deductible and any coinsurance or copays for these services.
The 10 services are known as essential benefits and include:
Ambulatory patient services: Also called outpatient care, you’ll probably use this coverage more than any other essential benefit. Outpatient care is any service or minor medical treatment you get without staying at the hospital. For example, a visit to the doctor to get medicine for the flu is an ambulatory patient service.Prescription drugs: Health insurance plans must cover at least one drug in each drug category. Your insurance plan may cover a certain brand of antibiotics, for example.Laboratory services: Your insurance has to provide coverage for diagnostic testing in addition to preventive screenings. Things like bloodwork fall into this category.Emergency services: Insurance companies can’t require preauthorization, charge you more or deny coverage for care administered in an emergency. Be sure to check what constitutes an emergency by contacting your insurance company.Preventive care: Your health insurance plan covers preventive, or wellness, care services. This includes regular checkups and health screenings for common diseases. This benefit also includes coverage for the care and treatment of chronic diseases.Pregnancy and newborn care: Your health insurance cannot charge you more if you’re pregnant when you sign up for the plan or because you’re a woman. After the birth of your child, your insurance must allow you to add your child to your insurance plan. You can also choose to change insurance plans after you have a child.Rehabilitative and habilitative services: These are the services, treatments and medical devices you need to regain or develop mental and physical skills. This could include physical therapy or a wheelchair after an accident.Hospitalization: Insurance must include surgery and overnight hospital stays in your coverage. Be aware, however, that your insurance company doesn’t have to cover the full amount of your stay.Mental health and substance use disorders: Although your plan may limit the number of visits you can have per year, it must cover mental health and behavioral services. This includes seeing a psychiatrist or going through a substance abuse program.Pediatric services: Pediatric services refer to medical coverage for children. In addition to medical treatment and services for kids, your insurance must provide dental and vision benefits for children.
What Does Health Insurance Not Cover?
Your health insurance can choose not to cover medical treatments or services outside the 10 essential benefits. However, most insurance plans limit coverage exclusions to experimental treatments and cosmetic surgery.
Example of services most insurance won’t cover include:
Adult dentalCosmetic surgeryWeight loss treatmentAlternative treatments like acupuncture
Get Health Insurance Coverage in VA
Always speak with a representative of an insurance company before you enroll in a plan. Ask questions about coverage, benefits and costs so you have an idea of what your insurance might cost. Start your search today by comparing rates from different insurance providers in Virginia.
Does Virginia has Medicaid health insurance?
1
Does Virginia has Medicaid health insurance?
asked 2022-03-28
Tara Seboldt
1
Yes, Virginia has Medicaid health insurance for which you may qualify if you are a low-income resident.
Answer Link
answered 2022-03-28
Benzinga
Does health insurance cover dental work?
1
Does health insurance cover dental work?
asked 2022-03-28
Tara Seboldt
1
Health insurance in Virginia makes some allowances for dental care, but you generally need a dedicated dental insurance policy.
Answer Link
answered 2022-03-28
Benzinga
