Best Individual Health Insurance • Top Plans for Single Insurance – Benzinga

October 27, 2022

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quick look: best individual health insurance providers

best for wellness programs: cigna
best for health advice: aetna
best for online dating: unitedhealthcare
best for employer sponsored insurance: bluecross blueshield
best for local office service: kaiser Permanente

Private individual health insurance is a viable option if you don’t have employer-sponsored health care or can’t afford a plan through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. But with so many providers to choose from, how do you know which one is the best? how much will the coverage cost? And how are hmo, ppo, epo and pos plans different?

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These questions alone are enough to make your head spin. but do not worry. Buying coverage isn’t as difficult as it sounds, and we’re here to help you find and select a plan that meets your needs.

Reading: What is the best health insurance for a single male

Keep reading to learn more about how individual health insurance plans work, what you can expect to pay, and the types of plans. We’ve also included a list of the top providers to help you with your search.

best individual health insurance

The best health insurance companies offer exceptional customer service, seamless claims processing, great provider choices, flexible care options, and affordable premiums. they are also reputable, exude financial strength, and have a proven track record of success.

Here are the top benzinga picks for providers with the best individual coverage:

1. cigna

cigna was ranked as one of the top health insurance providers in the j.d. promotes the study of customer satisfaction. offers individual plans for every budget. And their provider network is extensive, so you’ll receive phenomenal service in all 10 states they serve. You’ll also have access to their health and wellness knowledge center. so you won’t have to spend hours going through tons of websites to find the information you’re looking for. You can also call Cigna’s 24/7 customer service hotline for answers to your most pressing questions.

2. aetna

become the best version of yourself by staying on top of your health. aetna makes it easy to do just that with its suite of health and wellness programs. With more than 70 programs to choose from, Aetna Health Connections has the tools to help you lead a healthy lifestyle.

aetna also offers an online program, Simple Steps to Healthier Living, that screens you for potential risk factors and creates personalized solutions based on the findings. there are also personal health and wellness coaching, mindfulness programs, and much more.

3. health care united

unitedhealthcare is another leading provider of individual health insurance plans. Ranked #1 in its industry on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies list for 9 consecutive years.

As a unitedhealthcare subscriber, you can take advantage of virtual visits at no additional cost. and without leaving the comfort of your home. You can make appointments through your primary care provider and be seen by a medical professional through your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Even better, doctors are available 24/7 to help you with your health care needs, so you can get care at any time of the day or night.

4. blue cross blue shield

blue cross blue shield is one of the nation’s leading providers of individual health insurance plans. It has been around since 1929 and insures 1 in 3 Americans.

In 2019, several blue cross blue shield business plans were honored by j.d. power for supplier choice and customer satisfaction. it also ranked high in terms of benefits and coverage.

Beyond the high-quality benefits it offers members, its extensive network of providers helps it stand out from the competition. You’ll find providers for a variety of medical services in every state in the country.

5. permanent kaiser

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get quality health care. Kaiser Permanente offers individual health insurance plans for all budgets. subscribers enjoy low premiums, reasonable deductibles and a large network of providers at a fraction of the cost you would pay with other providers.

kaiser Permanente stands by the belief that all people should have adequate access to health care. offers subsidized health care coverage through its charity health coverage programs to serve low-income individuals. Those who struggle to find affordable health insurance or who do not have access to reasonable health care through their employers may also qualify.

what is individual health insurance?

Individual health plans are those you buy on your own. it can actually be a health care plan for just you, the individual, or for you and your family. what sets it apart is that it’s not part of a group plan, like one offered by your employer. These policies can come from a variety of sources. You should also keep in mind that there are plans that you can buy from associations or organizations that cover your costs but do not function as insurance companies.

Because there is such a wide range of options on the market, you should check out everything there is and not just spend less. pay a little more to get the coverage you need, but don’t insure yourself too much and lose money in the process.

difference between individual and family health insurance

Individual health insurance is available for purchase through your state’s health insurance marketplace or directly from the insurance company.

But how do the plans differ and how do you know which one is best? below are quick descriptions to help you distinguish between them:

individual health insurance: a plan that covers one member, ideal for single people
family health insurance: a plan that covers multiple members and is optimal if there are family members who also need health insurance coverage

how much does an individual health insurance plan cost?

On average, the monthly health insurance premium for individual plans is $440. When getting a quote, be sure to specify that you’re looking for an individual plan as premiums for family coverage are higher.

You could pay a lot more or less, as premiums are determined by many factors. health insurance providers consider your age, location, and coverages. You may also be asked about tobacco use, which can result in significantly higher premiums.

Also consider out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, copays and coinsurance. These expenses are paid out of your monthly premiums and can add up quickly.

Your deductible is the amount you’re responsible for before your policy starts to work for you. therefore, if your deductible is $2,000, you must pay this amount out of pocket for health care services before any additional covered services are taken over by your insurance provider.

Copayments are fixed percentages attached to services covered by your plan. Your policy may require a $20 copay for routine doctor visits and $40 for specialist appointments. and coinsurance is the percentage of charges you are responsible for when certain health care services are provided. For example, if you met your deductible and coinsurance is 20 percent for surgical services, you’ll pay $200 out of pocket on a $1,000 medical bill.

types of individual insurance plans

There are several variations of independent health insurance plans that you should be aware of.

hmo: Health maintenance organization (hmo) plans are more affordable for consumers and you may be able to receive preventive services without meeting your deductible. But with lower costs come drawbacks. You are required to choose in-network providers for services to be covered. These doctors, specialists and facilities are contracted with your provider to treat you at a reduced rate. Plus, you won’t have the luxury of seeing specialists without a referral from your primary care doctor. and if you decide to venture out of the network, you may have to pay 100% of the costs.

ppo: preferred provider organization (ppo) plans allow you to use both in-network and out-of-network providers. while the latter will cause you to incur higher out-of-pocket costs, a percentage of the services may be covered by your plan. Unlike HMO plans, you won’t be required to choose a PCP provider, but you may need to meet a deductible before coverage kicks in.

epo: exclusive provider organization (epo) plans only offer in-network benefits. this means you are only allowed to use select providers and hospitals to be eligible for coverage. If you receive care outside of the network, you will be responsible for 100% of the costs incurred for the services.

POS: Point of Service (POS) plans combine the best of HMO and PPO plans. Similar to a PPO plan, you need to choose a PCP. but preventive health care services may be covered without meeting your deductible. and you will be allowed to see out-of-network providers if you wish. however, a major drawback is that they may assess an invoice for 100% of the costs. and it will be your responsibility to seek reimbursement from the insurance provider for the percentage of services that are covered. if you have already met your deductible, you will still be responsible for submitting your own claims processing.

get the best individual health insurance coverage

Wondering how to get personal health insurance from a trusted provider that’s affordable and meets your needs? all you have to do is enter your zip code to receive a personalized offer. It only takes a few minutes of your time to ask, and there’s no obligation to purchase coverage if the quoted offer isn’t suitable. shop around for different providers until you find an individual health insurance plan that’s right for you.