Updated: November 21, 2024
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Health insurance providers typically consider your age, plan type and city when calculating rates. MoneyGeek compiled and reviewed marketplace data to select Fresno's most affordable health insurance options.
Along with premiums, MoneyGeek found the best health insurance companies in Fresno based on its customer service and plan types. Because not every carrier provides the same plan types, we recommend shopping around to find your best plan.
Best Overall and Runner-Up
For best overall and runner-up, MoneyGeek evaluated cost, customer satisfaction and plan data obtained from the Health Insurance Exchange Public Use Files, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index to establish recommendations. Categories were weighted 55% for cost, 35% for customer service and 10% for plan options.
Best Cheap
In most cases, plans were aggregated to generate the estimated costs for any given company. Although the represented data shows the average premiums for any given section, specific company plans will vary in price. Unless otherwise stated, rates reflect the cost for a 40-year-old individual.
When you’re looking at health insurance policies, cost shouldn’t be the only factor you focus on. Customer service, physician networks and plan types are also important aspects to consider when choosing a company that fits your health care needs.
Based on the abovementioned factors, MoneyGeek found that Blue Shield of California is Fresno's top-rated health insurance company, scoring 85.5 out of 100.
Most affordable option in Fresno
Above-average service quality
Mobile app available
Free NurseHelp 24/7
Out-of-network coverage available for urgent care and emergency visits
Limited metal tiers offered
Established in 1939, Blue Shield of California is an independent member of the Blue Shield Association. Blue Shield of California is the best overall health insurance provider in Fresno, according to MoneyGeek’s research. The carrier offers health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare policies. Blue Shield of California also earned a 3.5 out of 5 customer service rating from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
If you’re looking for a Catastrophic or Platinum plan, Blue Shield of California might not fit your needs. The provider only offers Bronze, Silver and Gold metal tiers.
MoneyGeek gave Kaiser Permanente a score of 77.5 out of 100, our runner-up for the best health insurance in Fresno. Learn more about Kaiser Permanente below.
Kaiser Permanente is a health insurance veteran with over 75 years of experience to back it. The provider operates on a national scale, with markets in the Mid-Atlantic, Northwest and Pacific-Northwest regions, including Washington. Kaiser Permanente is headquartered in Oakland, California, and has a near-perfect customer service rating from the NCQA.
One drawback of Kaiser Permanente is that it offers a limited range of metal tiers. So if their available plans don't match your needs, another health insurance carrier might be a better fit.
Marketplace plans are categorized by metal levels. These levels are Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Bronze and Platinum are the cheapest and most expensive options, respectively. Individuals under 30 or who fall under a specific income bracket may opt for a Catastrophic plan.
MoneyGeek recommends individuals shopping for the cheapest medical insurance in Fresno check out Bronze plans. If you need more coverage, Silver plans are a good alternative.
Your health insurance rate is heavily based on how you split care costs with the health insurance company. Premiums vary significantly between the state, city and county levels.
Please note that Fresno's best medical insurance company doesn’t always have the cheapest rates. MoneyGeek suggests you familiarize yourself with the marketplace metal tier system if affordability is a top priority. Consider that your premiums are also affected by maximum out-of-pocket costs (MOOPs), deductibles, copays and co-insurance.
Below, you’ll find a chart that reflects how rates change between the different metal tiers, with Bronze being the least expensive and Platinum being the most expensive.
If you choose a plan with lower premiums, it’s usually countered by higher MOOP rates. This offers protection against catastrophic events but doesn’t sufficiently cover routine health care.
Metal Tier | Company | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
Bronze | Blue Shield of California | $294 |
Silver | Blue Shield of California | $383 |
Gold | Blue Shield of California | $450 |
Platinum | Kaiser Permanente | $519 |
Some health insurance companies offer Expanded Bronze plans. This metal tier offers a bit more coverage than a standard Bronze plan and includes one major service before your deductible is met.
Before you purchase a health insurance policy, it’s wise to understand all accompanying costs. MoneyGeek outlined the main aspects that affect your overall policy cost:
Despite your location, age is a huge factor that informs your health insurance premiums in Fresno. Generally, your health care needs rise as you get older. To accommodate this demand, the cost of your health insurance becomes more expensive.
More often than not, Bronze or Expanded Bronze plans are the cheapest options. If you choose one of these plans, double-check your preferred physician’s network. Otherwise, you might end up paying more for out-of-network services.
MoneyGeek created a table below to show how health insurance premiums in Fresno increase as individuals age.
Age | Company | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
18 | Blue Shield of California | $210 |
26 | Blue Shield of California | $236 |
40 | Blue Shield of California | $294 |
60 | Blue Shield of California | $625 |
There is no such thing as a “perfect” health insurance plan in Fresno. Instead, you need to decide how to balance costs, coverage benefits and other factors to determine a suitable health insurance policy for your needs. When you’re sure about your priorities and non-negotiables, finding a plan will be easier.
Consider how plans with higher monthly premiums can save you more long-term. Typically, you end up paying less out of pocket.
Short-term health insurance is an excellent option for individuals needing to cover an insurance gap, including those waiting for open enrollment or job benefits to set in.
Be cautious in getting short-term plans since they don’t always cover standard health benefits, can deny individuals with pre-existing conditions and might be more expensive overall. Another downside to short-term health insurance is that you can’t use subsidies and tax credits as financial support.
Health insurance subsidies help reduce the cost of your health insurance premiums. This option is usually available for those within a certain income bracket who need financial assistance. Individuals with an income of at least 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) can use health insurance subsidies.
Subsidies are usually capped at 400% of the FPL. Luckily, the American Rescue Plan suspended this rule for 2022, which grants more access to those who need it.
Other available options for individuals whose income doesn’t qualify for subsidies are Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). While this requirement varies per state, you can usually qualify for Medicaid if your income falls between 100% and 150% of the FPL.
The cheapest health insurance plan may not be the best option. The less-costly option may entail higher deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs. Hence, you may pay more if you need constant medical attention.
It’s vital to assess your desired health insurance plans, considering factors like cost, coverage benefits and network quality. MoneyGeek provides a step-by-step guide to help you choose an ideal plan for your health care needs.
There are different starting points in your search for health insurance. For example, if you are 26 or younger, you can be eligible for insurance through your parents. Other avenues to obtain health care include your employer, the government or the health insurance marketplace.
You can typically purchase or change marketplace plans during open enrollment. Under certain circumstances, you might be eligible for special enrollment. Open enrollment is a relatively short window, so make sure you don’t let deadlines pass.
Assess your current health care situation to determine which plan best matches it. Review each plan’s summary of benefits and explore your insurer’s network to ensure it includes your preferred physicians.
A health insurance plan goes beyond premiums and includes copays, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. These are the costs you should expect. Lower premiums usually have higher out-of-pocket maximums, and higher premiums usually have lower out-of-pocket costs. Another tip to remember is that paying a flat fee is typically more cost-effective than paying a percentage of co-insurance.
With your chosen health insurance plan, check if your prescription drugs are covered or at least within your budget if not fully covered.
Once you’ve gone through a plan’s details and those are agreeable to you, including sufficient coverage, feel free to choose the most affordable option available.
MoneyGeek answered the most commonly asked questions about health insurance in Fresno to help guide your decision-making.
Blue Shield of California offers the cheapest health insurance in Fresno at $376 per month based on the profile of a 40-year-old male purchasing a Silver plan.
Blue Shield of California is the winner in this category, earning a MoneyGeek score of 85.5 out of 100. Kaiser Permanente is a close runner-up.
A great way to get cheap health insurance is to compare coverage benefits and plan options. Consider all expected costs in a plan, such as the deductible, co-insurance, out-pocket-maximum (MOOP) and copayment.
About Brenna Kelly
Brenna Kelly, the former Health Insurance Content Manager at MoneyGeek, is a licensed health insurance agent and real estate associate. She is qualified to provide expert insight and advice on medical insurance, disability, long-term care, critical illness, Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage Plans.
Kelly has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Applied Sociology from the University of Central Florida. She uses her content production experience and health insurance expertise to deliver informative articles.
