Alabama Health Insurance

In the United States, having health insurance coverage is not a guarantee. If your employer doesn’t offer you this perk, it’s up to you to secure it for your family. 

However, today’s prices make it challenging to find a plan that fits your budget. How can you find affordable health insurance in Alabama? Here are four companies to investigate. 

1. BlueCross BlueShield

BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama is one of the oldest and most recognized names in the health insurance industry. It offers a full array of products, including the following:

  • Individual and family
  • Medicare select 
  • Dental
  • Travel
  • Short term
  • Employer

If you are an employer, you can take advantage of more competitive rates than individuals. Those who are selecting from individual and family plans have several options from which to choose:

  • Gold: In these plans, your insurer picks up 80% of your costs throughout the year on average. You pay 20%. There are three different gold plans. To give you an idea of the figures, the first features a $1,750 yearly deductible and a $6,000 out-of-pocket maximum for individuals. The numbers increase to $3,500 and $12,000, respectively, for families. Primary care and specialist copays vary based on the plan selected. 
  • Silver: Your insurer picks up 70% of the cost, and you pay 30%. There are four silver plans available. Prices for an average plan include a $3,000 yearly deductible for individuals and $6,000 for families, with $8,150 and $16,300 out of pocket. 
  • Bronze: Your insurer picks up 60%  of the cost, and you pay 40%. These save you money on premiums but have higher deductibles of $7,750 per individual and $15,500 for families for one of the two bronze plans. Once you meet your deductible, you have zero out-of-pocket costs, although one option does require $40 copays for primary care visits. 
  • Catastrophic: These plans are only available to those under 30 years old who claim a hardship exemption. 

2. Aetna

Aetna offers 139 different coverage options through eHealth. These plans are short-term models that don’t meet all the qualifications of a Marketplace plan. Most notably, they can exclude people with preexisting conditions, and they include lifetime maximum benefit caps that violate Marketplace rules. 

However, they function like traditional coverage while you hold the policy. Therefore, if you’re generally healthy, they can save you considerable cash. 

For example, the Short-Term Medical Plus Elite plan rings in at just under $505 per month. It features a $2,500 deductible, with an additional $500 emergency room deductible for visits not requiring hospital admittance. After you meet your deductible, you pay nothing. 

Your coverage period lasts for 12 months with a $2 million max. Note that these quotes cover individuals — family rates vary. 

3. United Healthcare 

Like Aetna, United Healthcare offers short-term plans in Alabama that do not meet Marketplace qualifications. However, they likewise provide comparative coverage during the policy period. 

If you are in generally good health, the TriTerm Value Plus plan features a $10,000 deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. It also has a 70/30 coinsurance split, with you picking up 30%. There’s likewise an additional $500 copay for emergency room visits not requiring hospitalization. 

The plan has a $2 million lifetime maximum over three terms. Terms last for one day less than three years. 

4. Bright Health Insurance Co.

Bright Health Insurance Co. is the one other insurer that meets Marketplace qualifications in Alabama. Like BlueCross BlueShield, it offers bronze, silver and gold plans:

  • Bronze: The bronze HSA features a $7,000 deductible with a $7,000 out-of-pocket max. Estimated costs are $309.26. Prescription drugs are covered, and the plan is eligible for a health savings account (HSA).
  • Silver: While it has various silver-level plans, the Silver 4200 features a $4,200 deductible and $8,000 out-of-pocket max. The cost per individual rings in at $391.58 a month, with family plans costing more. In-network prescription drugs are covered with a copay, and there’s a $30 copay to see your primary care doctor. You pay 40% coinsurance for specialists. 
  • Gold: Bright Health offers two gold choices. Its Gold 1800 plan features a $1,800 deductible with an $8,000 out-of-pocket max. Monthly premiums run $606.86 for individuals with higher family rates. Primary care visits cost $25, and specialists cost $50. Prescription drugs are covered, with varying copays. 

Find Affordable Health Insurance in Alabama 

If you live in Alabama and your employer doesn’t offer coverage, you need to secure it. The information above can help you explore your options for affordable health insurance in Alabama.