How To Find the Best Health Insurance in Utah
 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 a Utah health insurance plan that meets your budget and coverage needs. Shopping around is especially important since the cost of health insurance in the “Beehive” State is higher than the national average, and understanding your options can help you find savings on your premium.
Keep reading to learn about Utah 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 Utah?
Utah Health Insurance Rankings
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Utah?
What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in Utah by City?
Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in Utah?
When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in Utah?
What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Utah?
How To Get Health Insurance in Utah?
FAQs
Is Health Insurance Required in Utah?
Effectively, residents aren’t required to have health insurance in Utah as it is not a state that levies taxes or fines for not having it.[1] The Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposed a federal tax penalty on American taxpayers who failed to enroll in a health insurance plan that offered minimum essential health benefits. However, as of the 2018 tax year, the penalty for opting out of health coverage has since been reduced to $0.[2]
Utah Health Insurance Rankings
The Commonwealth Fund ranked Utah 19th 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. Utah ranked 33rd in access and affordability but first out of all states in avoidable hospital use and cost. When considering all metrics, the state ranked second among five Rocky Mountain states, including Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.[3]
Below is an overview of Utah’s national rank in each of the dimensions analyzed by the Commonwealth Fund:[3]
|
Dimension |
National Rank |
|---|---|
|
Reproductive & Women’s Health |
27 |
|
Access & Affordability |
33 |
|
Prevention & Treatment |
16 |
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Avoidable Hospital Use & Cost |
1 |
|
Healthy Lives |
3 |
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Income Disparity |
27 |
|
Racial & Ethnic Health Equity |
28 |
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Utah?
Marketplace benchmark plans in Utah cost $507 per month on average, more expensive than the nationwide average of $477 per month. On average, Utah residents pay a monthly premium of $378 for the lowest-cost bronze plan available in the state, $500 for the lowest-cost silver plan and $543 for the lowest-cost gold plan.[4]
Cheapest Health Insurance Options in Utah
The cheapest monthly health insurance rates in Utah are usually found with bronze-tier Marketplace plans. Bronze plans typically have higher deductibles, copays and coinsurance, so they are better for people who are healthy and don't think they will need a lot of medical care.[5] If you think you'll be using health care services a lot in the coming year, you might want to look into a gold or platinum plan, which can save you money on out-of-pocket costs in exchange for you paying a higher monthly premium.
A health maintenance organization (HMO) plan is usually cheaper monthly than a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan, which might help you find additional savings. Keep in mind that HMOs often have fewer benefits than other PPOs, and they might not be suitable for everyone. For instance, HMOs might need a referral from your primary care doctor before you can see a specialist, and they might not pay for out-of-network care that isn't an emergency.
What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in Utah 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 Utah before considering premium tax credits.[6]
|
City, Zip Code |
Quote |
|---|---|
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Salt Lake City, 84118 |
$494.69 |
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South Jordan, 84095 |
$494.69 |
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Clearfield, 84015 |
$494.39 |
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Ogden, 84404 |
$509.98 |
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Lehi, 84043 |
$505.13 |
Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in Utah?
Select Health offers Utah's most affordable health insurance plans and accounts for 82% of all policies sold in the state. It’s still worth reviewing your options, as other carriers may offer better rates depending on your area and other factors.[7]
Below is an overview of Utah health insurers with silver plan ranges that cost below $850 before premium tax credits for 40-year-old individuals.[7]
|
Health Insurance Company |
Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
|
Select Health |
$459 to $791 |
|
$497 to $661 |
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BridgeSpan |
$510 to $660 |
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$526 to $529 |
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University of Utah Health Plans |
$528 to $820 |
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$550 to $676 |
When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in Utah?
Residents can enroll in a health insurance Marketplace plan in Utah via HealthCare.gov during the open enrollment period (November 1 to January 15). To guarantee that your coverage starts on January 1, choose your health insurance plan by December 15. If you wait and confirm a plan by January 15th, your coverage start February 1.[8]
If you miss the open enrollment window and need health insurance, certain qualifying events may trigger a special enrollment period. Certain events, such as moving, getting married, starting a family, or losing major medical coverage through your job, can enable this period that typically lasts 60 days before or after the event.[9]
What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Utah?
Some of the major types of medical insurance you can purchase in Utah 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
- Medicaid services
- Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits
- Student health plans
How To Get Health Insurance in Utah?
Getting quotes from three to five different health insurance companies can help you understand your choices and improve your chances of getting a great deal. But looking into each insurance company one by one can get old. A marketplace for insurance like SmartFinancial can speed things up.
After you complete a short questionnaire, we can connect you with a licensed insurance agent who can help you find health plans that meet your needs and don't break the bank. Click here to get a free quote on a health insurance plan in Utah!
- Insurance quotes /
- Health /
- Utah
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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