The 2019 health insurance marketplace in Kansas City has a few changes from 2018. Listed below are what we believe to be the best options out there for the people in the Kansas City area.
Disclaimer – The prices below are not guaranteed by us, and are subject to change over time. Contact us for up-to-date personalized quotes.
Health Insurance Marketplace plans in Jackson County Missouri / Kanasas City, MO:
Three health insurance companies are offering coverage on the Missouri side of Kansas City on the health insurance marketplace – Ambetter Health, Cigna, and Medica. All 3 of these companies offer multiple plans. The pricing is the same for males and females. Each of these plans have EPO networks. This means that if you travel outside of the Kansas City area, or go to the wrong doctor or hospital, you are not covered at all.
Cigna has the cheapest plan overall (Cigna Connect 7000 EPO), with a high deductible of $7000, and no coverage for doctor visits (expect preventative care) until after that deductible is met. This means that you have to pay $7000 in medical expenses each year before the insurance company chips in a dime. That is a great option for some, but not so much for others. In Kansas City, MO – if you don’t qualify for a discount due to your income. A 25 year old is$285/month. A 35 year old is $346/month. A 45 year old is $409/month. A 55 year old is $632/month. And a 64 year old is $850/month.
Ambetter Health has a plan (Ambetter Balanced Care 11) that covers Doctor and Specialist visits at a decent price before reaching your deductible. The deductible on this plan is $6000. A doctor visit is a $30 copay. Specialist visits are a $60 copay. Generic drugs are a $20 copay. Preferred brand-name drugs are a $50 copay. This plan is $367/month for a 25 year old, $446/month for a 35 year old, $528/month for a 45 year old, $815/month for a 55 year old, and $1,096/month for a 64 year old.
Medica has probably the best value plan with a lower deductible (Select by Medica Gold Copay – EPO). This plan has a $750 deductible, $30 copays for Dr. visits, $60 copays for specialist visits, and $15 copays for generic drugs. It is $1461/month for a 64 year old, $1086 for a 55 year old, $703 for a 45 year old, $595 for a 35 year old, and $489 for a 25 year old.
All of the plans are eligible for lower prices than listed above if your income is under a certain level. The lower your income, the lower the price. The higher your income, the higher the price – up to the amounts listed above.
Health Insurance Marketplace plans in Johnson County, Kansas / Overland Park, KS:
Two health insurance companies are offering coverage on the Kansas side of Kansas City on the health insurance marketplace – Ambetter Health & Medica.
The cheapest plan is with Medica (Select by Medica Bronze Copay – EPO). It features a $6850 deductible, $80 doctor visits, $150 specialist visits, and $30 generic drug copays. It is $340/month for a 25 year old, $414/month for a 35 year old, $489 for a 45 year old, $756 for a 55 year old, and $1,017 for a 64 year old.
The best value plan with a lower deductible is also from Medica (Select by Medica Gold Copay – EPO). This plan is basically identical to its couterpart in Missouri, with a $750 deductible (then 30% coinsurance until you’ve paid another $6000), $30 doctor visits, and $60 specialist visits. It is $1255/month for a 64 year old, $933/month for a 55 year old, $604/month for a 45 year old, $511/month for a 35 year old, and $420/month for a 25 year old.
A cheaper option – Short-Term Health Plans:
In 2019, the individual mandate to have health insurance is no longer in effect. This means that if you don’t have health insurance on the marketplace, you will NOT be charged a penalty of 2.5% of your income, as it was in 2018.
Short-Term health plans might be a good option for you if you don’t have any pre-existing conditions and if you don’t take any prescriptions. National General is our company of choice for many of these plans, as they offer coverage that lasts up to 12 months in length, in both Kansas and Missouri. This can get you covered in 2019 for a much lower price than the plans listed above, if you don’t qualify for a discount due to your income. Another bonus of the short term health plans is the network of doctors and hospitals. These plans offer a robust, nation-wide network, to get you covered just about anywhere in the country.
In Kansas City, Missouri – for a plan with a $2500 deductible, with 100% coverage after – a 25 year old would be $118.50/month. A 35 year old would be $150.66/month. A 45 year old would be $289.06. A 55 year old would be $522.97. A 64 year old would be $633.03/month.
In Overland Park, Kansas – for a plan with a $2500 deductible, with 100% coverage after – a 25 year old would be $98.74/month. A 35 year old would be $125.53/month. A 45 year old would be $240.85. A 55 year old would be $435.76. A 64 year old would be $527.46/month.
Small Group Health Insurance:
If you own a business, another option may be available to you. You must have at least one person working for you to be able to qualify for a small group health plan.
If you do qualify for small group health insurance, this is often your best bet, as the prices are lower than the individual coverage through the marketplace. And unlike the short-term health plans, small group health insurance covers pre-existing conditions, RXs, and maternity.
Many plan options are available for small group health insurance. For personalized quotes or to see if you are eligible, contact us for more details.