With everything else in life, one of the last things most people want to think about is thetype of health insurance they should purchase. Since you also have to consider what you need and how much you can afford, finding the right plan can be a daunting process. That’s why the best thing you can do is start small and understand your state’s requirements before making any decisions.

Utah Health Insurance Plans

Utah runs on a federally run exchange, which means that residents who choose qualified plans must enroll through HealthCare.Gov. However, since Utah is one of the few states that resisted against the Affordable Care Act’s provisions, many residents also opt for non-qualified plans, which are available from several insurers.

If you’re unsure which type of plan is right for you, take a look at the essential differences:

Qualified plans are ACA-compliant plans that guarantee the ten Essential Health Benefits (EHB). Also known as Obamacare, the ACA was enacted in 2011 to insure more Americans with better benefits at higher premiums.

Non-qualified plans are not ACA-compliant plans. Better known as off-exchange plans, they do not guarantee the same thing as the EHB do, but they do offer cheaper premiums with levels of comprehensive coverage.

Currently, Utah has five major insurers you can purchase these plans through, including Molina Healthcare of Utah, SelectHealth, Inc., University of Utah Health Insurance Plans, BridgeSpan, and Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah (for non-qualified plans only).

Understanding Health Insurance in Utah

Health insurance is designed to help protect against financial loss in the event of an emergency or accident. It’s also beneficial for helping minimize the out-of-pocket costs that come with regular visits to your primary physician.

Thanks to Obamacare (also known as the ACA), insurance coverage has also expanded to cover a variety of services, including maternity and prenatal, substance abuse and mental health, prescribed medication, and much more. With these extra services, you also have to expect higher monthly premiums, especially if you’re covering more than just yourself.

Currently, Utah has five major insurers you can purchase these plans through, including Molina Healthcare of Utah, SelectHealth, Inc., University of Utah Health Insurance Plans, BridgeSpan, and Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah (for non-qualified plans only).

Individual Health Insurance

Individual health insurance is a type of coverage that you can buy for yourself through the exchange, your employer, or receive through social programs like Medicaid or Medicare. After the ACA was enacted, individuals were more likely to receive coverage since they couldn’t be rejected due to pre-existing conditions.

Although Utah has not adopted many of ACA’s policies, you can still buy qualified insurance for these average premiums (Age 40, Zip code 84101):

  • Single Adult

    Single adult

    $613
  • Married Couple

    Married Couple

    $1,277

Qualified plans are an excellent option for those who would benefit significantly from the EHB. However, many people are still generally healthy individuals who would rather not pay such high premiums. In these cases, it’s best to look into non-qualified (or off-exchange) plans, which are cheaper and can still offer wide coverage options.

Family Health Insurance

Family health insurance is a policy that covers you, your spouse, and your children. Since social programs like Medicare and Medicaid don’t typically qualify families, you can purchase a plan from the exchange or through your employer. For married couples, you’re also allowed to use your spouse’s employer’s plan.

A typical Utah family can expect these average premiums for qualified plans (Age 40, Zip code 84101):

  • Health Maintenance Organization

    A married couple with one child

    $1,455
  • Health Maintenance Organization

    A married couple with two children

    $1,684
  • Health Maintenance Organization

    A married couple with three children

    $1,913

Many low-income families also consider non-qualified plans, which are much more affordable. This is an ideal solution if you don’t qualify for financial assistance but want to make lower payments while still providing coverage for the whole family.

Utah Short Term Health Insurance

Short-Term Health Insurance in Utah

Short-term health insurance is a temporary coverage that can last for up to nearly a year. These plans don’t cover all of the Essential Health Benefits (EHB) as defined by the ACA, but short-term plans can help residents avoid significant medical debt from unexpected accidents or illness.

These plans are made to bridge the gap between finding more permanent coverage, making them perfect for:

  • Young adults who have recently been removed from their parents’ qualified health insurance plan
  • Individuals who are waiting to be put on their new employer’s or spouse’s insurance plan
  • Missed the Open Enrollment deadline and need coverage until the next Open Enrollment period
  • ACA Qualified plans are too expensive but still want a level coverage for financial protection

Starting January 2020, Utah’s regulations allow short-term medical plans to last up to 364 days, and can be renewed 3 times for total continuous coverage up to 36 months.

Find the Right Plan Today

With iHealth Agents, finding the right plan for you or your family doesn’t have to be complicated. As a free marketplace, you’ll be able to freely browse through a variety of qualified and non-qualified plans — all at the right price. Find your policy today.