Easily compare health insurance in Indiana. Analyzing medical coverage is much easier than doing the same in other nearby states, including Michigan, Ohio or Pennsylvania. The main reason is that there are less participating large carriers in the state than many other states. So, comparing costs in Indianapolis, Richmond, Fort Wayne, or any other area, will be very easy for you on our website. We provide current information, rates and details about all of the companies that you are likely to use for coverage. Non-Obamacare plans are also offered by UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, and several additional carriers.
The three major types of policies offered in the Hoosier State are HMO, PPO and HSA. You can find all three plans both on and off the State Exchange. We’ll help you compare all three options and determine which choice covers your needs at the lowest cost. However, not all policies are available in every county, and some carriers only offer coverage in specific areas. Major carriers Aetna, Cigna, and Kaiser still do not offer Exchange plans in the Buckeye State.
For example, a specific low-cost HSA may be available in Tippecanoe and Madison Counties, but not Marion or Kosciusko Counties. The Indianapolis area (Marion County) offers several contracts that are unavailable in other cities. Also, since prices fluctuate from one area to another, and can annually change, it’s important to review your existing policy vs. other Marketplace offers each year. Additional plans are expected to be introduced in 2018, when President Trump’s healthcare options are more widely offered.
Companies
The major individual health care providers in the state are currently Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Ambetter, and CareSource. Physician’s Health Plan of Northern Indiana (PHP), Coordinated Care, Aetna, Assurant, Cigna, Unicare, Humana, Medical Mutual and UnitedHealthcare stopped offering new private plans. NOTE: Many of these carriers continue to offer Group, Senior, and ancillary products in most areas of the state. Examples include Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Federated Mutual, Humana, IU Health Plans, and Physicians Health. Hoosier State carriers are not as prevalent as most other states. By 2023, additional companies may enter the marketplace.
There are still enough carriers that compete, to keep premiums affordable. We don’t anticipate any other insurers entering the market this year, although smaller regional companies (such as PHP) could offer local coverage in the future, if approved by the DOI. If the federal government offers a “public option,” an additional Medicare-style choice may become available.
Comparing Prices
Our website provides you with the absolute lowest prices from each company, an easy application process and updated national health care reform information. We make it simple to review coverage from the best companies in your area. If you have specific needs, such as specialty drugs or expensive therapy, we search for the best options, and provide comprehensive written details.
We also guide you through the entire enrollment process. Included is service after a policy has been purchased, along with updated ratings. If you’re currently not working or have lost your benefits, we have a special section devoted to any person that is unemployed in Indiana and needs health insurance. Several state and federal programs are also available. Of course, there are never any fees, charges, or obligation for utilizing our website. Content is constantly updated.
The Indiana Marketplace
As Exchanges were slowly phased into service beginning in 2014, we continued to research all of your plan choices, and inform you specifically which options were best for you. We still take into consideration your tax credit (if you qualify) and the four types of Metal tier policies you are be able to purchase (Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze). There are succinct differences between each plans, so we show you which specific policies best pay your medical expenses at the lowest possible cost. However, if you do not qualify for financial aid, or you choose not to accept a federal subsidy, several budget-friendly plans are offered.
“Catastrophic” plans are available if you are under age 30. If you have financial hardship, you may qualify for Medicaid and/or CHIP benefits for yourself and family members. But you can not get the new federal subsidy and Medicaid coverage together. However, if your income changes, you can easily shift from a Medicaid contract to a private Exchange plan, and vice versa. Also, if you are eligible for Medicare, many Medigap options can be selected.
What Types Of Coverages Should I Review?
Naturally, price is important. If contemplating a change, any time you can save more than $500 per year, that’s a good starting point. But the cost of your insurance is only one factor. A key consideration is if the deductible applies to covered physician visits and prescriptions. A policy that has this feature will cost less, but you will have higher out-of-pocket costs if you incur any non-preventive office visits or RX claims. Also, your health and financial situation may change, which will impact the type of policy you should own.
NOTE: Since Exchange plans are categorized into “tiers,” often changing From one tier to another (ie Bronze to Silver, Platinum to Gold etc…) will result in major differences in benefits and potential out-of-pocket expenses. For that reason, we ask that you consult us and allow us to quickly review the ramifications of any proposed change.
Prescriptions
Another important coverage is the prescription benefit. Plans include both generic and non-generic prescription coverage. However, there are major distinctions between copays and deductibles. Although one specific plan may feature a low copay with no deductible, another plan may require you to meet a $3,000 or $5,000 deductible before utilizing a preferred or brand-name drug. Generic and preferred brand prescriptions often are subject to low copays. Non-preferred and specialty drugs are the most expensive.
Although the most comprehensive plans raise the premium, they often provide important prescription protection if you are afflicted with a serious disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, diabetes or many other conditions. Instead of having to meet a deductible, you may only have to pay a copay of less than $50.
For example, many plans feature copays on generic drugs (deductible does not have to be met). Examples include:
$0 Copay – CareSource Silver
$10 Copay – Anthem Silver Core Pathway X 5300
$10 Copay – Anthem Silver Pathway X 4350
$10 Copay – CareSource Low Premium Silver
$10 Copay – Ambetter Balanced Care 10
$10 Copay – Ambetter Balanced Care 1
$15 Copay – Ambetter Balanced Care 4
Plans that offer just generic RX benefits will cost less, but it’s advisable to determine if the savings is worth excluding a potentially valuable portion of the policy. As more generic drugs become available (after the expiration of patents), the need for non-generic drugs slightly reduces.
Out-Of-Pocket Expenses
When comparing health plans, the maximum out of pocket money you will pay in a calendar year is perhaps the most important consideration. By combining coinsurance and the deductible, you can determine the most money you will have to pay for a major claim. Typically, there is a cap on coinsurance expenses of about $2,000 – $5,000, although more expensive Gold and Platinum options will feature lower amounts. $7,150 is the maximum allowed policy out-of-pocket expense for a conventional policy. However, short-term plans have fewer restrictions, and often feature much higher deductibles.
Thus, if your deductible is $1,000, and if you have a $1 million claim, you may have to pay a maximum of $3,000 out of your own pocket. And actually, that’s a reasonable amount to expect to pay. Often, you can negotiate a payment plan with a hospital to lighten your financial burden. They may allow you to extend payments for many years and may also reduce the amount you owe. However, many low-deductible plans also feature high maximum out-of-pocket limits ($7,150). Several plans with low maximum out-of-pocket costs are: MDwise Marketwise Gold Plus ($3,500), Anthem Silver Pathway X For HSA ($4,500), CareSource Hoosier Choice Gold ($2,500) and CareSource Gold ($2,500).
When you compare Indiana medical coverage, you may notice that coinsurance can range from 0% to 50%. Naturally, a higher amount increases your risk, but also lowers your premium. A combination of high coinsurance AND a high deductible could save you a substantial amount of money in premiums. And if you rarely use that part of your policy, it may be worth taking that risk. A 0% coinsurance plan is also popular since you pay nothing after the deductible. This can be especially advantageous if you file a large number of claims each year. 20% is the most popular coinsurance level, and is often found on group employer-provided and Senior plans.
Billing
How you pay for your policy should also be a factor in the decision-making process. The vast majority of insurers allow you to pay monthly, either by electronic withdraw or by billing you directly at home. It is possible there may be an extra fee for receiving your billing statement through the mail. But you should never pay an application fee when you apply for a policy. There is simply no reason to pay a broker (or anyone else) an extra fee. In some jurisdictions, it may actually be illegal.
The lone exception is a short-term policy which may include a one-time fee of approximately $20. However, if you are asked to pay a fee, and it is not for temporary coverage, you might be considering a “discount” plan, which we never recommend or endorse. Often, they are offered through companies you have never heard of, and their benefits are usually not equal to the money you are paying. Their reliability cannot be verified and the early cancellation rate is very high on these types of plans. Customer service response time is typically slow, with no local offices to visit.
Summary
Compare and save! That is our motto. Please utilize our website to easily review free quotes, compare plan options, and reduce your premium. Whether you need a family or individual plan, we are committed to finding you the most affordable choices.