Nebraska Health Insurance: 2023 Coverage Guide

Nebraska Affordable Healthcare Insurance

The folks in Nebraska are comparing their insurance rates to get the best value for the coverage they need now more than ever. This year, there will be more subsidies than ever. If you’re an individual or you’re buying coverage for a family, you can get the coverage you need at the best prices too by comparing your options with SmartFinancial. However, you may only enroll in a health plan during open enrollment, unless you are eligible for the Special Enrollment Period due to a qualifying event.

When Is Open Enrollment in Nebraska?

November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023

How to Get Health Insurance in Nebraska

A good start to figuring out which health plan is most economical is by looking at the previous year. How often did you visit doctors? How many prescription medications have you been taking regularly? And how much have you been paying out-of-pocket? The answers are important because you can find a plan that ends up being cheaper based on that information.

After you gather all the numbers, compare health insurance companies and health insurance quotes. After you submit the form from SmartFinancial, you’ll get several competing health insurance rates to choose from, and we’ll connect you with an agent in your area so you can buy the coverage or ask questions about the plan you’re considering.

What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Nebraska?

HMOs, EPOs, PPOs and POS plans are available in Nebraska. You can buy the least expensive levels, which are the catastrophic plan and bronze plan. Or you can elect more coverage with the expanded bronze, silver or gold plans. Silver covers 70% of all costs and gold covers 80%. A regular bronze plan covers 60% and expanded covers a little bit more.

Does Health Insurance Cover Pre-existing Conditions?

The Affordable Care Act made it illegal for marketplace health plans to deny anyone health insurance coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

Compare Health Insurance Plans in Nebraska

Do I Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period?

Common reasons people qualify for a special enrollment period:

• Lost or quit a job. You may have lost a job, changed jobs or even started your own business. If you did any of these things and do not have health insurance, you can enroll in a new plan.
• Once you turn 26, you become eligible to start a new individual health plan. You can no longer stay on a parent’s plan.
• If you move out of your current insurer’s coverage area, you can buy a new health plan for yourself and your family.
• If you extended your healthcare coverage with Cobra and you’ve reached the end of the coverage period, you can buy a new health insurance plan.
• If you shared a health plan coverage with your spouse but divorced, you may enroll in a new health plan.
• If you recently married, you may be able to get added onto your spouse’s policy or start an entirely new one together.
• If you had a baby or adopted a child, you are eligible to buy health insurance for the child.
• Death of a spouse or partner qualifies you for a new health insurance plan, if you were covered under your spouse or partner’s health plan.
• If you previously had health insurance through a partner or spouse who lost his/her coverage for any qualifying reason, you can either buy an individual plan or buy coverage together again.

Is Health Insurance Required in Nebraska?

No, only California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, Rhode Island, and DC still require health insurance. Otherwise, there is a tax penalty. Even though it’s not required in every state, buying health insurance is necessary to avoid medical bankruptcy.

How Much Is Health Insurance in Nebraska?

The average cost of health insurance in Nebraska for a 40 year old is about $648 a month. Health insurance is less expensive, the younger you are. Tobacco use increases health insurance rates.

How to Save on Health Insurance in Nebraska

The best way to save on health insurance in Nebraska is to compare rates based on the tier system. Beforehand, you’ll want to estimate your medical costs.

Medicare in Nebraska

Medicare is health insurance coverage for Americans ages 65 years and older. The government also allows younger people with disabilities to enroll in the program. Individuals with End-Stage Renal Disease (a permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant) can also sign up as can some individuals with severe mental health issues. Others who qualify for Medicare disability coverage are individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also called Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Most beneficiaries will receive Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Some people buy Medicare Advantage, which includes Part A and B as well as offering vision, dental and prescription drug coverage.

How Many People Are on Medicare in Nebraska?

18% of the people of Nebraska are on Medicare.

How Much Is Medicare in Nebraska?

If you do not qualify for Medicare, you can buy it for $499 a month for Part A in 2022 and a standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B was $170.10, or even higher depending on income. .

Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage: What’s the Difference?

Medicare is a government subsidized health plan that is available to qualified Americans age 65 and older. Medicare Advantage is sold through private health insurance companies, but these policies are also regulated by the government. Medicare Advantage plans offer the same benefits as Medicare Parts A and B. Medicare Advantage plans also offer more coverage for dental, vision, hearing and prescription drugs. Medicare Advantage plans have a maximum out-of-pocket limit. For 2022, it was $7,550 but many plans set their maximums at a much lower cost. That is why it’s important to compare companies. People who opt for original Medicare can buy Medicare Supplements to help with out-of-pocket costs. You cannot buy both Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplements. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan during open enrollment, you will automatically be disenrolled from original Medicare.

How to Get Medicare Coverage in Nebraska

If you receive social security payments, you may automatically enroll in Medicare, but you may have to sign up if you do not receive payments. The easiest way to enroll in Medicare is by working with a trusted insurance agent to get the coverages you want. Just enter your zip code and answer a few simple questions.

Types of Medicare Plans Available

Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Cost Plans (only offered in certain areas), Demonstration/Pilot Programs (also called Research Studies; only offered in certain areas) and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

How Do I Qualify for Medicare?

To qualify for Medicare you must be a citizen of the U.S. or have been a legal resident for at least five years. If you are age 65 or older and you/your spouse have worked for at least 10 years (40 quarters) or you have a disability, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), you most likely qualify for Medicare.

How Can I Save on Medicare in Nebraska?

You can save on Medicare by signing up for Part B as soon as you’re eligible. People who enroll late must pay a penalty every year. If you’re interested in buying Medicare Advantage, you can shop and compare Medicare plans for the best value.

Nebraska State Health System Ranking

Ever wonder how your state stacks up when it comes to quality healthcare? The Commonwealth Fund published a report in 2020 on State Health System Performance. They took into consideration the access to quality care, health outcomes, and disparities in all 50 states. The scores for the Nebraska Health System are listed below:

• Nebraska: Overall Ranking: 20 of 51
• Nebraska: Overall Performance: Below U.S. Average
• Nebraska: Access and Affordability: 29
• Nebraska: Prevention and Treatment: 23
• Nebraska: Avoidable Hospital Use and Cost: 14
• Nebraska: Healthy Lives: 11
• Nebraska: Health Care Disparities: 32

Nebraska Health Insurance Coverage

The people of Nebraska have different kinds of health insurance while some Nebraska residents are not insured at all. See the breakdown below:

• Private coverage: 59%
• Medicaid: 13%
• Medicare: 18%
• Uninsured: 10%

Report: America's Health Insurance Plans

Find Affordable Health Insurance in Nebraska

Nebraska Health Insurance Companies

• Health Alliance Midwest, Inc.
• Aetna Health, Inc. (Nebraska)
• Avera Health Plans, Inc
• Compass Rose Health Plan
• United Healthcare Services, Inc (Nebraska)
• UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company (Nebraska)
• Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Nebraska)
• Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (Nebraska)
• Coventry Health Care of Nebraska, Inc.
• Medica Insurance Company (Nebraska)