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Kentucky Health Insurance Companies
Kentucky Health Insurance Options
How to Get the Most Savings
Kentucky Health Insurance FAQS
How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Kentucky
Kentucky Health Insurance Companies
Kentucky only has a few health insurance companies serving the state, and only two of them participate in the health insurance Marketplace. We’ve highlighted these companies for you here:
CareSource Kentucky
Kentucky-based health insurance company CareSource Kentucky offers both individual and family plans on the ACA Marketplace. Since CareSource recently expanded its operations into almost every county in Kentucky, it may be worthwhile to reapply if you weren’t eligible for coverage previously.
The deductibles for CareSource policies are lower than those of rival plans, and many of them also have $0 deductibles for preventive care. If you select a CareSource plan, you will also benefit from $0 deductibles on the majority of generic drugs.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
One of the biggest insurance companies in the nation, Blue Cross Blue Shield has a subsidiary in Kentucky called Anthem Blue Shield. Anthem offers $0 deductibles for screenings and preventive care, and you can combine your medical insurance with a dental and vision plan. This is the second carrier that participates in the Marketplace for Kentucky. Policyholders have access to one of the largest provider networks in the country through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Health Insurance Marketplace in Kentucky
If you’re looking for health insurance in Kentucky, the health insurance Marketplace is a great place to start. Every year during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) you can purchase Marketplace health insurance, which was created by the Affordable Care Act, offers certain consumer protections, guarantees coverage for pre-existing conditions, and includes coverage for what are known as the “10 essential health benefits”:
- Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care)
- Emergency services
- Hospitalization
- Pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care (both before and after birth)
- Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (including counseling and psychotherapy)
- Prescription drugs
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
- Laboratory services
- Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
- Pediatric services, including oral and vision care (but adult dental and vision coverage aren’t essential health benefits)
The ACA-compliant plans offered on the Marketplace are divided into different types, known as metal tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. These tiers do not signal a difference in quality of care, though. The tiers differ in your out-of-pocket costs versus what your plan covers.
It’s important to remember that the Marketplace only offers the plans of participating providers. So unfortunately, while the Marketplace is a great tool, you may not be able to compare every plan available to you.
Whether you want a Marketplace plan, or a plan from a private insurer, an EZ agent can help. We work with all carriers in your state in order to compare all options available.
Over half of the uninsured in Kentucky who qualify for Marketplace insurance coverage could get a Bronze plan for FREE.
Kentucky’s Short-Term Health Insurance Guidelines
If you’ve missed the health insurance Open Enrollment Period (OEP) or need health insurance for a short amount of time, short-term plans are a great option. It’s important to note, though, that these policies tend to only cover the basics, and you can be denied one of these plans if you have a pre-existing condition.
There are some rules around short-term plans, though, both at the federal and the state level. Some states choose to have their own guidelines separate from federal guidelines, or not offer short-term plans at all, but like many states, Kentucky follows the federal guidelines for short-term health insurance. That means you can buy a plan with an initial term of 364 days, with the option to renew up to three times so you can get a maximum of three years of coverage before the plan expires. After you’ve maxed out your three years, you are allowed to purchase an additional plan, though.
Kentucky Health Insurance Options
There are a few ways you can go about finding health insurance.
- Employer-sponsored plans – Your employer’s group plan is a great option to look into. These plans generally cost less than individual plans, and depending on what types of plans are offered, you can usually find good coverage with these plans.
- Government programs – Medicaid and Medicare are both government-funded programs that help people who meet certain requirements get low-cost or even free health insurance. For Medicare, you have to be 65 or older, or an adult living with a disability to qualify. And Medicaid is built for low-income families and individuals who fall below the poverty line.
- Insurance agents – Agents are a great resource to use. They have all the knowledge and training to find you the best plans available. They’re able to compare all of your plan, price, and carrier options in minutes, and can help keep the process stress-free.
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How to Get the Most Savings
Kentucky is tied for 21st most expensive in terms of healthcare spending per capita in the U.S. On average $9,778 is spent on healthcare for an individual for the year. With so much being spent on healthcare, finding savings where you can is important, and there’s plenty of ways to do it.
Health insurance companies assess risks when they’re deciding premiums. One of those risks is your general health. Your body mass index (BMI) is one of the factors, so if you’re among the 36.5% of adults in Kentucky with a high BMI, maintaining a healthy weight could help you lower your premiums. Remember, having too high or low of a BMI can jack up your prices.
Another health risk that insurance companies look at is smoking or using other tobacco products. 19.6% of adults in Kentucky are smokers; if you are one of them, your premiums can be up to 50% more expensive than those of nonsmokers! Avoiding tobacco use can boost your health and keep more money in your wallet by lowering your premiums and keeping your healthcare costs in general down.
While working on your health is a great way to save on health insurance, there’s an even easier way! Working with an EZ agent can save you hundreds of dollars every year on premiums. We can work within your budget and find you affordable plans, as well as find local discounts you may qualify for. And all of our services are free!
Kentucky Health Insurance FAQS
Does Kentucky require you to have health insurance?
Although the Affordable Care Act still requires all citizens to have coverage, there is no longer a federal tax penalty for not having health insurance. A handful of states do require health insurance, but Kentucky is not one of them.
What is the cheapest health insurance in Kentucky?
The cheapest health plan will be a Bronze plan, which can start as low as $336 a month. Remember, though, health insurance plan prices can vary depending on age, zip code, gender, and other factors.
How much does health insurance cost in Kentucky?
The average monthly premium for health insurance in Kentucky is $605, or $7,260 per year, with plans as low as $336 a month to as high as $1,164. But do not let these numbers scare you. Many uninsured people in Kentucky qualify for a $0 Bronze plan and don’t even know it.
Which insurance companies offer plans in Kentucky?
Four of Kentucky’s insurers are CareSource Kentucky, Anthem Health Plans of KY, Molina Healthcare of Kentucky, and WellCare Health Plans of Kentucky.
How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Kentucky
Kentucky offers a variety of enrollment choices. You can do your own search for coverage directly through an insurance carrier’s website or use your employer’s group plan enrollment, if they offer insurance. Kentucky also has a state-run exchange website called Kynect where you can shop and compare plans. But keep in mind all of these options do have limitations.
Whatever route you choose, EZ agents are available to assist you. We can provide guidance and answer any of your questions. We will find you the best plans for your needs and present you with options while taking your health, age, and financial situation into account. To provide you the affordable coverage you need, we partner with the best insurers in the nation.
If you still have questions, feel free to give us a call at 877-670-3557. When you call, you will be directly connected to a local insurance agent who can answer all of your questions and help you find the health insurance plan that works best for you.
