How To Find the Best Health Insurance in Oregon
 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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Comparing rates from multiple carriers can help you find the best deal on an Oregon health insurance plan that meets your budget and coverage needs. Since the average premium of health insurance in the “Beaver State” is higher-than-average, you will want to shop around and save where possible.
Keep reading to learn about Oregon health insurance, the most affordable plans, the cost in some of the state's largest cities and the available health care options.
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Key Takeaways
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On This Page
Is Health Insurance Required in Oregon?
Oregon Health Insurance Rankings
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Oregon?
What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in Oregon by City?
Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in Oregon?
When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in Oregon?
What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Oregon?
How To Get Health Insurance in Oregon?
FAQs
Is Health Insurance Required in Oregon?
Health insurance isn’t required by law in Oregon.[1] Initially, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) made it so American taxpayers were legally required to enroll in a health insurance plan with minimum essential health benefits, or they’d receive a federal tax penalty. However, as of the 2018 tax year, federal tax penalties no longer apply for those who opt out of a health insurance plan, although a state-level penalty may apply in certain states (which does not include Oregon).[2]
Oregon Health Insurance Rankings
The Commonwealth Fund ranked Oregon 13th 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. Oregon ranked 22nd in healthy lives and fourth, the state’s highest score, in avoidable hospital use and cost. When considering all metrics, the state ranked third among six Western states, which include California and Washington.[3]
Below is an overview of Oregon’s national rank in each of the dimensions analyzed by the Commonwealth Fund:[3]
|
Dimension |
National Rank |
|---|---|
|
Reproductive & Women’s Health |
9 |
|
Access & Affordability |
17 |
|
Prevention & Treatment |
20 |
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Avoidable Hospital Use & Cost |
4 |
|
Healthy Lives |
22 |
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Income Disparity |
12 |
|
Racial & Ethnic Health Equity |
15 |
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Oregon?
Marketplace benchmark plans in Oregon cost $488 per month on average, which is more expensive than the nationwide average of $477 per month. On average, Oregon residents pay a monthly premium of $365 for the lowest-cost bronze plan available in the state, $479 for the lowest-cost silver plan and $526 for the lowest-cost gold plan.[4]
Cheapest Health Insurance Options in Oregon
Between all health insurance plan tiers, also called metal levels or categories, bronze-tier Marketplace plans generally have the lowest monthly health insurance premiums in Oregon. While bronze plans often come with higher deductibles, copays and coinsurance, their monthly premiums are typically lower, which can benefit those who anticipate minimal health care needs.[5] However, if you expect to need health care services frequently throughout the year, you may be better off purchasing a gold or platinum plan with a higher monthly premium to help you save on out-of-pocket costs.
You could also save by opting into a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan over a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan, as they typically have lower monthly premiums. However, keep in mind HMOs often have fewer benefits than PPOs. For example, HMOs may require a referral from your primary care doctor to see a specialist, may have smaller provider networks and have limited to no out-of-network coverage.
What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in Oregon by City?
Below, we’ll review the median monthly rates across all metal tiers for individual health insurance plans for 30-year-olds making $40,000 per year in five major cities in Oregon before considering premium tax credits.[6]
|
City, Zip Code |
Quote |
|---|---|
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Portland, 97229 |
$431.00 |
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Beaverton, 97006 |
$431.00 |
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Bend, 97701 |
$479.00 |
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Salem, 97301 |
$475.22 |
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Eugene, 97402 |
$472.50 |
Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in Oregon?
Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Oregon offers the state's most affordable health insurance plans in the silver tier. That said, while BCBS typically offers the cheapest rates in the Portland metro area, those living in more rural counties may find PacificSource offers a lower premium.[7]
Below is an overview of Oregon health insurers with silver plan ranges that cost below $750 before premium tax credits for 40-year-old individuals.[7]
|
Health Insurance Company |
Cost Range |
|---|---|
|
Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon |
$442 to $668 |
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Providence Health Plan |
$447 to $728 |
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Kaiser Permanente |
$462 to $563 |
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Moda Health Plan, Inc. |
$469 to $633 |
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PacificSource Health Plans |
$516 to $631 |
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BridgeSpan Health Company |
$537 to $697 |
When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in Oregon?
Residents can enroll in an Oregon health insurance Marketplace plan via HealthCare.gov during the designated open enrollment period from November 1 to January 15. To guarantee coverage starting January 1, ensure you choose your health insurance plan by December 15. If you wait beyond that date, your coverage won’t begin until February 1.[8]
Specific qualifying life events may initiate a special enrollment period if you missed the open enrollment window, enabling you to enroll outside the typical timeframe. These events include relocating to a new area, getting married, having children or losing employer-sponsored health insurance. Following most qualifying events, this special enrollment period generally spans 60 days before or after.[8]
What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Oregon?
Some of the major types of medical insurance you can purchase in Oregon include the following:
- Marketplace health plans
- Short-term health plans
- Private health insurance coverage directly from a provider
- Employer-sponsored group health insurance
- Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) continuation coverage
- Medicare
- Oregon Health Plan (includes Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP)
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits
- Student health plans
How To Get Health Insurance in Oregon?
Collecting suitable health insurance quotes from at least three to five insurance providers can help increase your chances of getting a good deal and help you better understand your range of options. Gathering quotes from insurance carriers one by one can take a lot of time and become tedious, but you can speed things up using an insurance marketplace such as SmartFinancial.
After you answer a brief questionnaire, we’ll connect you with a licensed insurance agent to help you find affordable health plans that suit your unique needs. Click here to get a free Oregon health insurance plan quote today!
- Insurance quotes /
- Health /
- Oregon
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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