How To Find the Best Health Insurance in Nebraska
 Written by Preston Micalizio Preston MicalizioPreston Micalizio writes insurance content for SmartFinancial. He brings three years of professional experience writing ... Read more |  Edited by Dan MarticioDan MarticioDan Marticio is the content manager at SmartFinancial and has written 150+ articles across multiple insurance verticals.... Read more |
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By comparing plans from different carriers, you can find a Nebraska health insurance plan that best fits your needs and budget. Comparing costs is crucial to obtaining the most affordable coverage possible, as health insurance in the "Cornhusker" State can be more costly than the national average.
Keep reading to learn more about Nebraska health insurance, including the most affordable plans, the cost in some of the state's largest cities and the different kinds of health coverage available.
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Key Takeaways
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On This Page
Is Health Insurance Required in Nebraska?
Nebraska Health Insurance Rankings
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Nebraska?
What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in Nebraska by City?
Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in Nebraska?
When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in Nebraska?
What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Nebraska?
How To Get Health Insurance in Nebraska
FAQs
Is Health Insurance Required in Nebraska?
Nebraska is not a state that penalizes residents who do not have health insurance, essentially making it optional.[1] Previously, American taxpayers who didn't sign up for a health insurance plan that covered minimum essential health benefits were hit with a federal tax penalty under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but this penalty has since been reduced to $0 as of 2018.[2]
Nebraska Health Insurance Rankings
The Commonwealth Fund ranked Nebraska somewhat above average, placing 21st out of 51 in a state-by-state analysis that took a holistic look at the health care systems in each U.S. state and Washington, D.C. The state’s lowest rank (32) was in racial and ethnic health equality and its highest rank (10) was in avoidable hospital use and cost. When considering all metrics, the state ranked third among seven Plains states, which include Kansas, South Dakota and North Dakota.[3]
Below is an overview of Nebraska’s national rank in each of the dimensions analyzed by the Commonwealth Fund:[3]
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Dimension |
National Rank |
|---|---|
|
Reproductive & Women’s Health |
24 |
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Access & Affordability |
22 |
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Prevention & Treatment |
11 |
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Avoidable Hospital Use & Cost |
10 |
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Healthy Lives |
12 |
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Income Disparity |
21 |
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Racial & Ethnic Health Equity |
32 |
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Nebraska?
Marketplace benchmark plans in Nebraska cost $600 per month on average, more expensive than the nationwide average of $497 per month. On average, Nebraska residents pay a monthly premium of $465 for the lowest-cost bronze plan available in the state, $595 for the lowest-cost silver plan and $590 for the lowest-cost gold plan.[4]
Cheapest Health Insurance Options in Nebraska
Bronze-tier health insurance plans from the HealthCare.gov Marketplace usually offer the lowest monthly premiums. Bronze plans are typically better for those who are healthy and don't anticipate requiring much medical care because they usually have lower premiums in exchange for higher deductibles, copays and coinsurance.[5]
However, you might want to consider a gold or platinum plan if you expect to use health services frequently throughout the year. These plans can save you on out-of-pocket medical expenses but usually have higher monthly premiums.
Selecting a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan could result in further savings because these plans typically have lower monthly payments than preferred provider organization (PPO) plans and some other plan types. HMOs may not be able to meet everyone's needs, though, and typically offer fewer benefits than PPOs. For example, non-emergency out-of-network care is frequently not covered by HMOs, and a primary care physician's referral may be necessary to see a specialist.
What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in Nebraska by City?
Below, we’ll review the median monthly rates across all metal tiers for health care coverage plans for 30-year-olds making $40,000 per year in five major cities in Nebraska. The below quotes do not consider any premium tax credits.[6]
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City, ZIP Code |
Quote |
|---|---|
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Omaha, 68104 |
$555.91 |
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Lincoln, 68516 |
$554.86 |
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Bellevue, 68123 |
$555.91 |
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Grand Island, 68801 |
$601.85 |
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Kearney, 68845 |
$601.85 |
Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in Nebraska?
Ambetter offers Nebraska's most affordable health insurance plans in the silver tiers. Other insurance companies may offer better rates, depending on your income level, where you live and other factors. Below is an overview of Silver plan quotes from Nebraska health insurers for 40-year-old individuals before premium tax credits.[7]
|
Health Insurance Company |
Cost Range |
|---|---|
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$539 to $729 |
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|
$587 to $856 |
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Medica |
$596 to $921 |
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$612 to $778 |
When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in Nebraska?
During the open enrollment period (November 1 to January 15), residents of Nebraska can sign up for a health insurance plan through the federal Marketplace website. If you select your health insurance plan by December 15, your coverage will begin on January 1 — if you enroll afterward, it will begin on February 1.[8][9]
Certain qualifying life events may trigger a special enrollment period, which could allow you to enroll outside of the regular enrollment window. Events such as relocating to a different ZIP code, getting married, starting a family or losing employer-sponsored major medical coverage usually initiate enrollment periods that can extend 60 days before or after the event.[10]
What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Nebraska?
Some of the major types of medical insurance you can purchase in Nebraska include the following:
- Marketplace health plans
- Short-term health plans
- Private health insurance coverage directly from health care providers
- Employer-sponsored group health insurance
- Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) continuation coverage
- Medicare
- Heritage Health, which includes Medicaid services and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits
- Student health plans
How To Get Health Insurance in Nebraska
Comparing health insurance quotes from three to five providers can help you weigh your options and land a plan with ideal rates for your needs. However, searching for insurance providers one by one can be time-consuming and tedious.
Using an insurance marketplace like SmartFinancial can accelerate the process. After you fill out a quick questionnaire, we can match you with a licensed insurance agent who can help you find affordable health plans that fit your needs. Click here to receive a free quote for a Nebraska health insurance plan!
- Insurance quotes /
- Health /
- Nebraska
Preston Micalizio writes insurance content for SmartFinancial. He brings three years of professional experience writing in various industries, from higher education to e-commerce. He strives to engage with the audience, provide accurate reporting and make complex subjects easily digestible.
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