How To Find the Best Health Insurance in Arizona

You should compare quotes from multiple health insurance companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible on the coverage you need in Arizona. Health insurance premiums are cheaper than average in the Grand Canyon State on the whole but can vary widely depending on the county you live in.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about Arizona health insurance such as what types of coverage are available and what the biggest strengths and weaknesses of the state’s health care system are.

On This Page

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  Is Health Insurance Required in Arizona?

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  Arizona Health Insurance Rankings

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  How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Arizona?

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  What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in Arizona by City?

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  Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in Arizona?

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  When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in Arizona?

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  What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Arizona?

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  How To Get Health Insurance in Arizona

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  FAQs

Is Health Insurance Required in Arizona?

Although all American taxpayers are required to maintain health insurance by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there is not currently a federal tax penalty for individuals who aren’t covered.^[1] Similarly, there is no penalty applied at the state level for going without coverage in Arizona.

Arizona Health Insurance Rankings

Arizona has a below-average health care system, ranking 34th out of 51 based on an analysis of every state and Washington, D.C., by the Commonwealth Fund. Nevertheless, Arizona performs exceptionally well when it comes to preventing avoidable hospital costs. Below, you can see where Arizona ranked for each dimension analyzed by the Commonwealth Fund.^[2]

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Arizona?

Marketplace benchmark plans cost $403 per month on average in Arizona, which is a good bit cheaper than the nationwide average cost of $477 per month for benchmark plans. Arizonans tend to have access to affordable health insurance plans across all metal levels, paying monthly averages of $329 for the cheapest bronze plan in the state, $373 for the cheapest silver plan and $475 for the cheapest gold plan.^[3]

Cheapest Health Insurance Options in Arizona

One way to lower your health insurance premiums is to enroll in a plan in the bronze tier. Although you’ll have to pay a lot in deductibles, copays and coinsurance when you receive care, bronze plans typically come with lower premiums than plans in any other category.^[4]

Furthermore, you can save money on both monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs if you choose a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan rather than a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan. However, you should note that HMOs generally don’t allow you to visit a specialist without a referral and don’t cover out-of-network care except in emergencies.^[5]

What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in Arizona by City?

To get an idea of how health insurance costs vary from city to city in Arizona, see the following table, which includes median rates for 30-year-olds with an income of $40,000 per year before taking premium tax credits into account.^[6]

Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in Arizona?

Banner Aetna has the lowest starting rate for silver-tier health coverage for 40-year-olds living in Arizona. For a rundown of all the insurance companies in Arizona that offer silver plans to this demographic for less than $900 per month, see the table below.^[7]

When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in Arizona?

Residents of Arizona are able to enroll in ACA-compliant health plans through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace during open enrollment from November 1 to December 15 for coverage beginning on January 1 or December 16 to January 15 for coverage beginning on February 1.^[8]

Outside of open enrollment, it is only possible to join a Marketplace plan during a special enrollment period. These may be triggered by life events that dramatically change your health insurance coverage needs such as moving into a new home or losing your existing coverage.^[8]

What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Arizona?

Arizonans may have the option to enroll in the following types of health insurance coverage:

• Marketplace health insurance
• Private coverage purchased directly from an insurance company such as short-term health insurance
• Employer-sponsored group health insurance
• Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) continuation coverage
• Medicare
• Medicaid, also known as Medical Assistance in Arizona
• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), also known as KidsCare in Arizona
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits
• Student health plans

How To Get Health Insurance in Arizona

By comparing health insurance quotes from multiple insurance providers, you’ll be able to tell if you’re getting the lowest price possible for the coverage you need. Keep in mind that you’ll have to share a considerable amount of personal information to get a quote including your age, location and income, which can make for a drawn-out process if you contact carriers one by one.

That’s where SmartFinancial steps in. Simply fill out a singular questionnaire and then we’ll share your information with agents who can help you compare rates for a cheap health insurance plan at no charge. Start comparing quotes for health insurance in your area today.