Best Cheap Health Insurance in Arizona 2022
Best Cheap Health Insurance in Arizona 2022
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Arizona residents can buy cheap health insurance plans through the state marketplace, or low-income households may be eligible for coverage through Arizona's Medicaid expansion. To help you find the best health insurance plan for your family, we evaluated all policies on the state exchange to find those with the lowest premiums.
The average cost of health insurance in Arizona is $503 per month. This represents a 5% increase in cost since the 2021 plan year.
In most of Arizona, the cheapest Silver health insurance plan is Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - Neighborhood Network, which has the lowest premium in 11 of 15 Arizona counties.
Cheapest health insurance coverage by metal tier
Health insurance plans on the Arizona exchange are divided into metal tiers, which indicate the benefits you would receive from a policy as well as its out-of-pocket costs and premiums. To help you find a cheap health insurance plan for yourself, we compared all those listed on the Arizona marketplace and identified the most affordable policies in each metal tier.
Not all of these health insurance policies are offered in every county, but we recommend using these to get a sense of the costs and benefits you can expect in each tier of coverage.
Metal tier | Cheapest plan | Monthly cost | Deductible | Maximum out of pocket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catastrophic | Bright Health Catastrophic 8700 Direct | $233 | $8,700 | $8,700 |
| Bronze | Health Net/Ambetter Essential Care 1 | $518 | $8,600 | $8,600 |
| Bronze Expanded | Bronze 8700 + $0 Mental Health Direct | $247 | $8,700 | $8,700 |
| Silver | Silver 4000 Direct | $301 | $4,000 | $8,700 |
| Gold | Gold 1000 Direct | $446 | $1,000 | $8,700 |
The actual cost of a health insurance policy will vary depending on your age in addition to the policy you choose and the number of people covered. As you can see below, the cost of a health insurance plan in Arizona is 22% cheaper for a 21-year-old than for a 40-year-old, which translates to an average savings of $125 per month for the average Silver plan. A 60-year-old, on the other hand, would end up paying $648 per month more than a 40-year-old for the same level of coverage.
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Finding your best health insurance coverage in Arizona
If your household income falls below 138% of the federal poverty level, you may qualify for Arizona's expanded Medicaid program to gain health insurance coverage. For those who don't qualify, the county you live in, your household income and your expected medical expenses will all help determine the best cheap health insurance plan available through the Arizona marketplace. Different health plans are available in different counties. For example, a Pima resident would have different coverage options than a person who lives in Apache.
Within a given Arizona county, you'll be able to choose from different metal tier health plans, each of which has its own pros and cons.
Lower metal tier plans, such as Bronze and Catastrophic policies, come with the cheapest health insurance premiums. However, the trade-off is paying higher out-of-pocket costs if you become ill. You may end up covering much higher deductibles and copays than you would if you were to choose a Gold plan.
Gold plans: Best if you have high expected medical costs
Though Gold health insurance policies come with the highest premiums — on average, they're almost 20% more expensive than Silver plans in Arizona — your variable expenses will be much lower. Gold health plans have the lowest cost-sharing features, such as deductibles, copays and coinsurance, making them the best health insurance option for those with high expected medical expenses.
If you have ongoing prescription needs, for instance, you'll likely find that Gold plans have the most affordable out-of-pocket expenses for drugs.
The cheapest Gold plan in Arizona is Bright Health Gold 1000 Direct. Compare all tiers in Arizona above.
Silver plans: Best for average medical costs or people with low income
Silver plans are eligible for cost-sharing subsidies, so one of these policies is likely to be the best cheap health insurance plan if you're in a low-income household. Silver policies are also a good middle ground between Gold and Bronze plans, combining affordable monthly premiums with out-of-pocket expenses if you do need medical care.
The cheapest Silver plan in Arizona is Bright Health Silver 4000 Direct. Compare all tiers in Arizona above.
Bronze and Catastrophic plans: Best for healthy people with low expected medical costs
Catastrophic plans are only available to people under the age of 30 or for those who meet certain requirements, but we would only recommend these policies for people who are fairly young and healthy. Similarly, a Bronze plan will likely be the best cheap health insurance policy if you have low expected medical costs and are able to pay the high out-of-pocket expenses in the event that you need medical care.
Though Bronze and Catastrophic health insurance plans have the cheapest monthly premiums, their high deductibles, copays and coinsurance mean you may face a particularly large bill before your coverage kicks in.
The cheapest Bronze plan in Arizona is Ambetter Essential Care 1 through Health Net of Arizona, Inc. The cheapest Catastrophic plan is Bright Health Catastrophic 8700 Direct. Compare all tiers in Arizona above.
Health insurance rate changes in Arizona
In Arizona, health insurance premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums are determined yearly by the health providers. The changes are then approved by state and federal regulators.
In 2022, most health insurance premiums increased on the Arizona health insurance exchange. The largest increase was seen in Bronze tier plans, which grew by 30%. Meanwhile, average Catastrophic plan premiums decreased by 31%.
Metal tier | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Change 2022 vs. 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catastrophic | $371 | $374 | $259 | -31% |
| Bronze | $382 | $409 | $530 | 30% |
| Bronze Expanded | $426 | $423 | $460 | 9% |
| Silver | $497 | $507 | $577 | 14% |
| Gold | $655 | $678 | $690 | 2 |
Premiums are for a 40-year-old adult.
Short-term health insurance in Arizona
Short-term health insurance is available for purchase in Arizona. Federal regulations allow short-term health insurance to last up to 12 months or 364 days per term, with renewals up to a total duration of three years. Arizona follows federal regulations with respect to short-term health insurance term limits.
Most short-term plans do not cover the essential benefits, including maternity, mental health and prescription drug coverage. For this reason, they are not qualified Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans and are not offered on the state marketplace. It can be useful to consider short-term health insurance if you are looking for a more affordable option for health coverage or missed open enrollment.
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Best cheap health insurance companies in Arizona
There are six health insurance companies on the Arizona health exchange for 2022:
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona, Inc.
- Bright Health Company of Arizona
- Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc
- Health Net of Arizona, Inc. (Ambetter from Arizona Complete Health)
- Oscar Health Plan, Inc.
- UnitedHealthcare of Arizona, Inc.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona, Inc. offers the best-priced Silver plans in 11 Arizona counties. If you want to compare health plans from multiple companies, you may not be able to do so depending on where you live, as certain insurers are only available in select counties. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is the only insurer available across the entire state.
Cheapest health insurance plan by county
The lowest-cost health plan and its price will vary based on the region you live in. For instance, you would pay $218 per month less for the Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - Neighborhood Network health plan if you live in Santa Cruz County than you would as a resident of La Paz County. To help you find the best health insurance plan where you live, we identified the cheapest Silver policies in each county below.
County name | Cheapest plan | Age 40 | Couple, age 40 | Couple, age 40 & child |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apache | Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - Neighborhood Network | $641 | $1,283 | $1,025 |
| Cochise | Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - Neighborhood Network | $505 | $1,010 | $808 |
| Coconino | Ambetter Balanced Care 30 | $567 | $1,135 | $907 |
| Gila | Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - Neighborhood Network | $502 | $1,004 | $802 |
| Graham | Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - Neighborhood Network | $505 | $1,010 | $808 |
| Greenlee | Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - Neighborhood Network | $505 | $1,010 | $808 |
| La Paz | Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - Neighborhood Network | $650 | $1,299 | $1,039 |
| Maricopa | UHC Silver Value+ ($3 Rx + 6 Free Virtual Visits) | $339 | $677 | $541 |
| Mohave | Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - Neighborhood Network | $641 | $1,283 | $1,025 |
| Navajo | Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - Neighborhood Network | $641 | $1,283 | $1,025 |
| Pima | Silver 4000 Direct ($35 Primary Care + $15 Generic) | $301 | $601 | $481 |
| Pinal | Silver Simple- Specialist Saver | $384 | $767 | $613 |
Average cost of health insurance by family size in Arizona
The cost of a health insurance plan in Arizona will vary depending on the size of your family, in addition to your age and the policy you choose. For example, the average price of a Silver health insurance plan in Arizona would be $690 more for a family of five than it would for a family of three.
Health insurance premiums are determined for each adult based upon their age, while children below the age of 15 are priced at a flat rate. So, if you add your 40-year-old spouse to your health insurance plan, your premium would increase by an average of $577 per month in Arizona. But the cost of an average Silver health plan would only increase by $345 per child added to the policy.
Family size | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Individual + child | $922 |
| Couple, age 40 | $1,154 |
| Family of three (adult couple and a child) | $1,499 |
| Family of four (adult couple and two children) | $1,844 |
| Family of five (adult couple and three children) | $2,189 |
Adults are assumed to be 40 years old. Children are assumed to be 14 or younger. Sample rates are based on the average cost for a Silver plan in Arizona.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best health insurance in Arizona?
The best health insurance in Arizona is based on your budget and insurance usage. Plan tiers in Arizona start with Catastrophic policies, which have lower monthly payments but higher deductibles and copays. These plans may be good for those without high prescription use or frequent medical needs. Gold plans come with higher premiums but lower out-of-pocket costs, making them a cheaper option for those with ongoing health care expenses.
How much is health insurance in Arizona?
The average cost for an ACA health insurance policy in Arizona, across all plan tiers, is currently $503 per month for a 40-year-old. Those who qualify may be able to lower insurance expenses through cost-sharing subsidies or premium tax credits. These cost-reduction programs are based on income and family size.
How do I get free health insurance in Arizona?
You may qualify for free or low-cost health insurance in Arizona through Medicaid. Medicaid plans provide coverage for services such as doctor visits, immunizations, prescriptions and other essential health care needs. For eligibility and application information, visit the Arizona Medicaid page.
Methodology
The Arizona health insurance rate data in this analysis was sourced from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website. ValuePenguin used the CMS Public Use Files (PUF) in our calculations to average premiums across a variety of factors such as metal tier, county and family size. Plans and providers for which county-level data was included in the CMS Crosswalk file were used in our analysis; those excluded from this dataset may not appear.
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