Updated: October 16, 2024
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Health insurance costs are determined by location, age, plan type, health care needs and the number of people included in your policy.
MoneyGeek reviewed the best and cheapest health insurance companies in Santa Rosa to help you find a plan that suits your health care needs and budget. Since providers offer a unique set of plan options, make sure to shop around to get the best deals.
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.
Overall, the best medical insurance in Santa Rosa is Western Health Advantage. It earned a total MoneyGeek score of 87 out of 100. This insurer ranked the highest due to its affordability, varied plan options, cost-sharing choices and high customer service rating.
If you live outside Santa Rosa or are looking for state-wide health insurance, you can check out the top cheap health insurance providers in California for more options.
Affordable plan options
Above average customer service rating
HMO plans available
Prescription coverage, alternative medicine, etc. available
Limited metal tier options
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans only available to large group employers
Headquartered in Northern California, Western Health Advantage provides affordable and quality health care to individuals, employer groups and families. The insurer offers plans with comprehensive health benefits and services tailored to individual customer needs.
Western Health Advantage provides members with access to a wealth of preventive health information 24/7, prescription coverage, alternative medicine, wellness assessment and even gym discounts and assistance during an emergency abroad.
Kaiser Permanente is the second-best health insurance provider in Santa Rosa, scoring an 80 out of 100 based on MoneyGeek’s ratings.
Kaiser Permanente has individual and family plans, Medicaid, Medicare, Medi-Cal, employer plans and even short-term coverage plans. It offers a personalized plan coupled with evidence-based care and 360-degree support for all its members. Members can also enjoy wellness coaching, healthy living classes and other healthy lifestyle programs that promote physical health. For mental health services, the insurer provides its policyholders 24/7 one-on-one emotional support messaging. Of the evaluated insurance providers, Kaiser Permanente received the highest score for customer satisfaction.
When shopping for marketplace plans, you’ll be asked to choose between metal tiers ranging from Bronze to Platinum, with Bronze typically being the cheapest plan option.
If you’re a low-income earner or under 30 years of age, you may qualify for a Catastrophic plan, which is typically the cheapest option but comes with limited health care coverage. If unable to meet such requirements, you may also check out Silver plans and apply for subsidies.
Health insurance costs vary based on where you live. In some cities like Santa Rosa, the best company also offers the cheapest health insurance for the average individual.
If your priority is saving money, it’s important to understand how premiums and out-of-pocket maximums relate to each other. You’ll also want to consider how costs like deductibles, copays and co-insurance factor into your overall health care costs.
Metal tier options range from Bronze to Platinum, with Bronze having the least expensive premiums and Platinum having the most expensive ones. It’s important to recognize that lower premiums may be negated by higher maximum out-of-pocket expenses if you need more health care than expected.
Metal Tier | Company | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
Bronze | Western Health Advantage | $397 |
Silver | Kaiser Permanente | $510 |
Gold | Kaiser Permanente | $567 |
Platinum | Western Health Advantage | $638 |
To avoid any surprise costs, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with all the costs associated with your health insurance plan.
Health insurance costs increase as you get older. As you age, you are likely to require more hospital visits and routine care than when you’re young.
That said, students and young adults still need health care insurance even if they’re generally in good health.
The cheapest plans you’ll find in Santa Rosa are most likely Bronze and Catastrophic plans. To maximize your coverage in a lower-tiered plan, ensure that your preferred physician or institutions are included in your plan’s network of providers.
The table below shows a comparison of the cheapest medical insurance companies in Santa Rosa for different age groups. Notice how monthly premiums increase as you age.
Age | Company | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
18 | Western Health Advantage | $284 |
26 | Western Health Advantage | $318 |
40 | Western Health Advantage | $397 |
60 | Western Health Advantage | $844 |
Knowing your health care needs is the first step to finding the cheapest health insurance in Santa Rosa. After you’ve identified the coverage and services that you want, you can compare health insurance quotes and find the cheapest plans available.
If you’re in generally good health and don’t anticipate needing a lot of medical care, you may opt for a plan with a low monthly premium to avoid paying extra for unused coverage. Catastrophic and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) are perfect for such cases.
However, if you expect higher medical costs, you can reduce your overall cost by purchasing a policy with a higher monthly premium and lower deductible and maximum out-of-pocket costs.
Life events such as switching jobs, having a baby and moving across states can cause lapses in your health coverage. Short-term health insurance is an affordable way to ensure that you’re covered for medical expenses until your actual coverage begins.
However, short-term coverage may not cover essential benefits or pre-existing conditions. They typically feature low monthly costs but come with high copays and co-insurance that could hurt your budget. With these plans, you may not be able to apply for subsidies and tax credits.
Health insurance is often costly for most people. However, thanks to the American Rescue Plan, which modified subsidy income eligibility from 400% to 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) in 2022, more Americans are eligible for health insurance discounts.
Low-income individuals earning between 100% and 150% of the FPL may be eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or Medicaid.
A low premium plan with a high deductible isn’t always the best choice. It could end up costing you more if you require frequent health care.
Knowing which health insurance plans in Santa Rosa are available is one of the best ways to find the right coverage. MoneyGeek recommends you go through the following steps before signing up for a policy.
There are many ways you can find affordable and quality health care. Health care plans are commonly available through work, your parents (if under the age of 26), the marketplace, insurance companies or the government.
Marketplace plans can only be purchased during a certain period. In California, the open enrollment period typically runs from November 1 through January 31.
Your health care preferences and needs should come before cost. You can review a plan’s summary of benefits to see if it includes the coverage you need and preferred physicians.
Consider your premium, deductible, copay, co-insurance and maximum out-of-pocket limit when assessing total cost.
If you have prescriptions, you can maximize your coverage by making sure that you are eligible for discounts in your chosen plan.
After you’ve reviewed the costs and coverage and are okay with the benefits, you can sign up for your chosen policy.
To help you get started in finding the best and cheapest health insurance companies in Santa Rosa, MoneyGeek answered the most frequently asked questions from Santa Rosa buyers.
Western Health Advantage is the cheapest health insurance in Santa Rosa, with a monthly premium of $518 for the average individual buyer.
The same insurer, Western Health Advantage, is the best health insurance in Santa Rosa, with a total MoneyGeek score of 87 out of 100.
The best ways to find affordable health insurance in Santa Rosa is by shopping around, comparing health insurance plans and understanding metal tier options.
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.
