At Health Insurance Gurus, we match each client with an affordable private health insurance plan that is best-suited for their needs.
We know that navigating different health insurance plans can be stressful, especially if you’re not familiar with insurance terminology. Whether you’re shopping for non-group coverage or a qualified health plan, our knowledge and experience will help us connect you with the insurance plan that’s right for you.
Private health insurance refers to any type of plan that isn’t offered by a state or federal government. Private entities, such as private insurance companies and brokers, provide private health insurance.
Currently, limited options for public health insurance are available in the United States. Public health insurance options include Medicaid, Obamacare (also known as the Affordable Care Act, or “ACA”), Medicare, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), a subset of Medicaid.
Private health plans are also available through federal and state marketplace plans and employer-based health plans.
There is a wide range of available coverage options when it comes to purchasing private health insurance. Private health insurance plans make health care more affordable by dividing costs between you and a private insurer.
Cost-sharing methods such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, reduce the costs of medical care. When it’s time to shop for a plan, we’ll help you find an insurance policy with the right balance between monthly insurance premiums and cost-sharing methods.
If you’re not eligible for government programs due to income or other criteria, private health insurance can help lower the cost of health care services.
Health insurance typically covers preventive care and other essential health benefits, including emergency services. Whether you’re in good health or you have a pre-existing condition, purchasing health insurance coverage through an insurance company or the marketplace can help protect you from incurring high medical costs.
If you already have ACA-compliant health coverage through an employer or federal government program, but it’s not meeting all of your needs, consider exploring additional coverage options through private insurance companies.
Pre-existing conditions are considered health problems that an individual had before the start of coverage. Health insurance companies also cannot charge you more just because you have a pre-existing condition, and cannot charge women more than men.
The only exception to the pre-existing condition coverage rule occurs when an individual is covered through a grandfathered individual health insurance plan. Individual health insurance plans bought through a private insurer before March 23, 2010 are not required to cover pre-existing conditions.
The monthly cost of private health coverage varies significantly by location and age. Since different insurance companies offer health coverage in different areas, private plans have varying rates. For instance, if you’re purchasing coverage in San Francisco, your costs will be different than someone in New York. Each additional person added under your plan, including your spouse and children, will also influence your monthly cost.
Your monthly cost will also depend on the type of coverage you choose, and whether or not you’re a tobacco user. Basic health plans, including catastrophic coverage and bronze plans, are typically associated with lower average premiums but have higher out-of-pocket costs, while silver, gold, and platinum plans charge higher monthly premiums but have lower out-of-pocket costs.
If you think insurance is out of your budget, you might be wrong. Although health care can be expensive, private health insurance plans are available for individuals of all income levels in the United States. The AHA health insurance marketplace offers income-based premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions for eligible applicants.
In certain circumstances, insurance premiums are tax-deductible. Individuals can deduct premiums paid using after-tax, out-of-pocket money. If you buy individual or family coverage through the open market or the marketplace and pay all costs out-of-pocket, the whole amount is tax-deductible. Additionally, if your total out-of-pocket costs, including insurance premiums, surpass 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income, they are tax-deductible.
Enrollees who purchase a plan through the health insurance marketplace may be eligible for cost-sharing reduction subsidies, advanced premium tax credits, or tax exclusions, which can help lower your average premiums, as well as the costs of deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
Although every person’s situation is different, exploring private coverage options can help you enjoy various benefits. For instance, if you’re shopping for a private health plan, certain types of coverage are available at any time of the year, instead of only during open enrollment periods.
Unless you qualify for a special enrollment period, marketplace plans are only available during the open enrollment period. If you don’t qualify for a special enrollment period, some types of private health coverage, such as short-term plans, can help bridge the gap.
If you’re not currently insured, even a small emergency—like a broken bone or a long-term illness—can ruin you financially. While nobody expects to get sick or fall down the stairs, these things can happen. Along with emergency services, most private plans also cover the cost of prescription drugs and preventive measures. Investing in health insurance can reduce your out-of-pocket costs in the event of an emergency.
If you purchase a private plan through a private insurance company, average premiums may be lower than marketplace plans.
When it comes to buying private insurance, you have several options. If you’re retired, start by exploring your options with Medicare. If you fall into any other special category, check whether you qualify for cost-saving measures or tax exclusions under the ACA.
If you missed the open enrollment period, you can still apply for coverage through Health Quote Gurus. With providers like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, Aetna, and United Healthcare, we’ll help you find an affordable insurance policy that meets your needs. For a fast and accurate quote, fill out our application or speak to a licensed health agent at 866-317-7340.
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