Individual Health Insurance in Arizona
To help you find the right Arizona individual health insurance plan, you’ll want to compare more than the monthly premium. The best plan for you depends on your deductible, the network of providers, prescription coverage, out-of-pocket costs and whether you qualify for financial assistance. Affordable Health Insurance provides information to help Arizona residents better understand their health insurance options and compare plans based on their health care needs and budget.
What Is Individual Health Insurance?
An individual health insurance policy is bought by an individual, not through an employer-sponsored group health plan. It may be a good fit for the self-employed, someone between jobs, employed by a company that does not offer health benefits, retiring before you are eligible for Medicare, or just wanting your own coverage.
Many people purchase individual coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace established by the Affordable Care Act. Some plans may be available directly from private insurers.
Affordable Health Insurance helps Arizonans learn about the health insurance options available to them, so they can choose the best coverage to meet their needs.
Who May Need Individual Health Insurance in Arizona?
Individual coverage can be helpful in various situations, including:
- Freelancers and independent contractors
- Workers without occupational health benefits
- People who recently lost employer health coverage
- Early retirees who haven’t yet reached Medicare eligibility
- Young adults leaving their parent’s health plan
- Those going through a divorce or other household change
- People relocating to Arizona from other states
- Families with household members needing coverage
Everyone has different needs regarding health insurance, so before you choose a policy, consider your medical needs, preferred doctors, medications and budget.
ACA Individual Health Insurance Plans
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, established key consumer protections for individual health insurance. Marketplace plans can’t deny you coverage or charge you more because you have a pre-existing condition, and they must cover treatment for pre-existing conditions, HealthCare.gov says.
ACA plans typically cover broad categories of healthcare services, allowing consumers to compare policies through standardized plan information. Depending on your eligibility you may also qualify for financial assistance which reduces the amount you pay toward your monthly premiums.
Can You Receive a Premium Tax Credit?
Some people and families who buy coverage through the Marketplace may qualify for a Premium Tax Credit — a refundable credit that helps eligible low- and moderate-income households afford qualifying coverage, according to the IRS.
Eligibility may be based on such things as:
- Family income
- Family structure
- Availability of qualifying employer coverage
- Eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, or other government program
- Requirements for filing taxes
When you apply for coverage, Marketplace uses the information you provide to estimate how much financial assistance you may be eligible for. Your eligibility for a tax credit may change as your family situation or household income changes, so it’s important to keep your Marketplace information accurate throughout the year.
What Should You Compare Before Choosing an Individual Health Plan?
Selecting a health insurance plan solely on the monthly premium might lead to unforeseen healthcare expenses down the line. Make sure you check a few key things before you sign up.
Premium Per Month
Deductible
Provider Network
Prescription Drug Coverage
Copays and Coinsurance
Maximum Out-of-Pocket Cost
Individual Health Insurance for Self-Employed Arizona Residents
Self-employed professionals usually have to arrange their own health insurance. If you’re a freelancer, consultant, contractor, small-business owner, realtor or independent professional, individual Marketplace coverage may be an option if traditional employer-sponsored insurance isn’t available.
Some self-employed individuals may also qualify for Marketplace financial assistance depending on expected household income and other eligibility factors. See our dedicated page on self-employed health insurance in Arizona for more detail on comparing plans, networks, deductibles and premiums.
Individual Health Insurance and Pre-Existing Conditions
One of the big protections you get when you have coverage through the ACA Marketplace is around pre-existing health conditions.
Marketplace plans can’t deny you coverage or charge you more just because you have a health condition. Marketplace plans also can’t deny you coverage for essential health benefits for a condition you had before you were covered. This protection can be important for people with ongoing medical conditions or needing ongoing treatment.
When Can You Enroll in Individual Health Insurance?
Most years, there’s an Open Enrollment Period for coverage through the ACA Marketplace.
According to the website for Affordable Health Insurance, Open Enrollment is from November 1 until January 15, with Special Enrollment Periods in certain cases. Applicants should confirm current dates before applying, as enrollment rules and effective dates can change.
Outside of Open Enrollment, you might qualify for a Special Enrollment Period after certain life events, including:
- Losing health coverage that qualifies
- Marriage
- Having or adopting a child
- Moving to a new eligible area
- Some household changes
Eligibility will depend on the event and the rules of the Marketplace at the time.
Individual Health Insurance in Mesa and Across Arizona
Affordable Health Insurance helps residents in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Queen Creek, Apache Junction, Phoenix and other Arizona communities explore health care coverage. See our full Arizona service area.
Plan availability and provider networks can vary by location, so working with someone who knows Arizona health insurance options can help you easily compare plans. Applicants should think about how well each option fits their healthcare usage, doctors, medications and financial circumstances, rather than choosing a policy based solely on advertising or price.
Why Work With Affordable Health Insurance?
Affordable Health Insurance has been serving clients since 2016 and specializes in helping individuals, families, seniors, self-employed professionals and small business owners understand their insurance options.
We aim to make health insurance information simple and help you compare plans based on what’s important to you. Insurance decisions can be complex, and no one health plan works for everyone — we help provide information so you can make a more informed and confident choice.
We Can Help You:
- Review individual health insurance plans
- Know your premiums and deductibles
- Compare provider networks
- Review your prescription coverage
- See Marketplace options
- Know if you qualify for premium help
- Know when you can enroll
- Evaluate coverage for your health needs
