Updated: May 22, 2024
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Best Health InsuranceIdahoBest Health Insurance in Idaho
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We downloaded plan data for Idaho directly from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). MoneyGeek’s scoring methodology balances costs, claims approval and plan types to find the best providers in the state.
Plan data was updated with the CMS exchange data released in October 2023 for the 2024 enrollment period.
PacificSource Health Plans has a MoneyGeek score of 76 and offers the best health insurance in Idaho. The provider has plans with affordable rates and lower out-of-pocket costs, and they do well at not denying claims too often.
Our analysis examined 62 Silver plans in Idaho, including HMO, POS and PPO types.
Low maximum out-of-pocket maximum
Very few claims denied
Diverse plan options available
Lower affordability of premium rates
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Idaho is PacificSource Health Plans. The provider offers two Silver HMO plans and two Silver PPO plans. The average plan rate for these Silver plans is $484 per month. The average MOOP cost for these plans is $7,525.
PacificSource Health Plans provides Silver HMO and PPO plans. Their PPO plans tend to have more out-of-network coverage compared to HMO plans.
The average plan rate across all PacificSource Health Plans' Silver plans is $484, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost is $7,525.
PacificSource Health Plans has a denial rate of 3%, lower than most of the competition. MoneyGeek recommends the following Silver plans:
Mountain Health CO-OP has the best health insurance in Idaho for low out-of-pocket costs, with a MoneyGeek score of 73 out of 100. The provider offers plans with low out-of-pocket costs and better-than-average rates of claim denials.
Twenty-six Gold and Platinum plans were evaluated for the analysis, including HMO and POS plans.
Handles claims efficiently with very few denials
Ensures low maximum out-of-pocket costs
Offers a diverse range of plan types
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Idaho for low out-of-pocket costs is St. Luke's Health Plan. The company offers one Gold POS plan. POS plans often include broader out-of-network coverage, giving customers more choices for doctors and hospitals. It offers an average plan rate of $492, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $7,750. St. Luke's Health Plan has a lower denial rate than most competitors. This means better chances for customers of having their claims covered.
MoneyGeek recommends the following Gold and Platinum plans:
PacificSource Health Plans offers the best cheap health insurance in Idaho, scoring 64 out of 100. The provider has lower average out-of-pocket expenses, denies fewer claims than most providers and provides various plan options.
In Idaho, MoneyGeek reviewed 62 Silver plans, which included five HMO, 37 POS and 20 PPO plans. MoneyGeek focused more on plans with low monthly premiums during this analysis, although it usually means higher out-of-pocket costs must be paid when you need care.
Minimal claim denials
Low maximum out-of-pocket costs
Less competitive premium rates
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best cheap health insurance in Idaho is PacificSource Health Plans. It offers four Silver plans, which are affordable choices for health care.
PacificSource provides both HMO and PPO Silver plans. The PPO plans may give you more coverage for services outside the network. PacificSource offers an average plan rate of $479, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $8,050. PacificSource has a denial rate of 3%, which is lower than most of the competition.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following cheap Silver plans:
With a MoneyGeek score of 75 out of 100, Mountain Health CO-OP offers the best health insurance for young adults in Idaho. This insurer offers plans with affordable rates, lower out-of-pocket costs and better-than-average claims approval.
For this category, we looked at 52 Bronze plans and 12 Catastrophic plans.
Affordable premium rates
Low out-of-pocket costs
Few claims denied
Variety of plan options
Mountain Health CO-OP is the best pick for young adults looking for health insurance in Idaho. Young folks often pick plans with less coverage because they usually don't need as many medical services as older people. The insurer has six Bronze plans and three Catastrophic plans. These plans have an average cost of about $238 per month and an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $8,579 per year.
Mountain Health CO-OP provides POS plans that offer more coverage outside their network. The company, with a denial rate of around 5%, has a lower denial rate than most of the competition.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following plans for young adults:
Health insurance companies have different kinds of plans. The best providers for all plan categories in the state are:
MoneyGeek's recommendations only used Silver plans. Silver plans balance the money you pay each month with the money you pay when you go to the doctor. Silver plans are suitable for people who sometimes go to the doctor but not often.
Idaho offers five Silver HMO, 37 Silver POS and 20 Silver PPO plans.
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Idaho for Silver PPO plans is PacificSource Health Plans. They offer two Silver PPO plans. These plans have an average plan rate of $508, and the average out-of-pocket cost is $8,050. It has a denial rate is 3%, which means they deny fewer claims than average.
Silver PPO plans can offer you more choices for doctors, and you don't need to get a referral to see a specialist. These plans are common but might cost more money than other plans like HMOs. So, if you're okay with spending more, you'll get more freedom in picking your health care providers.
We suggest the following Silver PPO plans from PacificSource Health Plans:
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Idaho for Silver POS plans is Mountain Health CO-OP. It offers five Silver POS plans. The provider offers an average plan rate of $515, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $8,569. The provider has a denial rate of about 5%, which is lower than average, indicating they deny fewer claims than most other insurers.
Although it might cost you more, Silver POS plans allow you to save money by staying within the network but still let you see out-of-network doctors. These plans are flexible, which is good if you like having choices for your care, like being able to see specialists without needing to get permission first. However, remember that they're not the most common plan type and going out of network can lead to higher bills.
We suggest the following Silver POS plans from Mountain Health CO-OP:
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Idaho for Silver HMO plans is PacificSource Health Plans. They offer two Silver HMO plans. It offers an average plan rate of $464, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $8,050. The provider has a denial rate of about 3%, which means they deny fewer claims than average.
Silver HMO plans can be good because they are often cheaper than other types, but it only allows you to see doctors in the plan's network, unless it's an emergency. To see a specialist, you need a referral from your doctor. These plans are good if you want lower monthly bills and if you can find doctors in the network.
We suggest the following Silver HMO plans from PacificSource Health Plans:
When shopping for health insurance in Idaho, we recommend prioritizing the search for the ideal plan that aligns with your specific budget and health care needs. Achieving the right balance between affordable monthly premiums and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses is key. Here are two crucial factors to consider when buying a health insurance plan.
Understand when a health insurance plan will cover you
In-network means the doctors and hospitals that your health insurance has a deal with. If you go out-of-network, it means you're seeing doctors or going to hospitals not in that deal. Some plans in Idaho let you use out-of-network places, but it might cost more money. Other plans might not pay if you go out-of-network, so it's cheaper to stay in-network.
In Idaho, 20 PPO plans might allow you to go to doctors outside their network. There are also 42 other plans (five HMOs and 37 POS), that might have different rules about using out-of-network doctors and hospitals.
Weigh the cost of premiums vs. the cost of care
When looking at health insurance, it's essential to consider both the monthly cost and what you might have to pay if you get sick. You want to find the right balance for you.
Some plans might let you pay less every month, but you could pay more if you visit the doctor often. Plans that make you pay more monthly might have lower limits on what you pay when you get care. It can help save you money if you need lots of medical help. Take the Silver plan called the Navigator Silver HSA 3500 as an example. Its monthly price is $460. This price is less than the average for Silver plans from the same company.
The lowest monthly prices and lowest maximum you can pay are excellent. They are even better if the doctors and hospitals you can visit are great.
If you're an Idaho resident and either aged 65 or older or have a qualifying illness or disability, you may be eligible for Medicare. Medicare is a federal program that aims to offer accessible and reasonably priced health care. It provides coverage for a range of services, including but not limited to:
Explore our curated suggestions for the best Medicare Advantage in Idaho and the best Medicare Supplement plans in Idaho to discover the choices available to you.
We highly recommend verifying your eligibility for Medicaid, another government program. Medicaid is free to eligible Idaho residents and can be obtained alongside Medicare. You may qualify if your income is below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. It's important to note that you can receive both Medicare and Medicaid simultaneously.
Finding an ideal health insurance plan can be complicated due to concerns about price and availability. MoneyGeek answers some frequently asked questions to help you research options.
The best health insurance in Idaho for 2024 is provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield. However, the best choice for you will depend on your unique circumstances and needs.
A plan with reasonable prices and sufficient coverage is what you should be looking for. Despite offering reduced prices, some plans and companies might only offer a few services that may not suit all your medical needs. Your unique needs will determine what the best health insurance plan for you is.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
