Updated: May 22, 2024
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BestHealth InsuranceMaineBest Health Insurance in Maine
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We downloaded plan data for Maine 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.
Taro Health offers the best health insurance in Maine, with a MoneyGeek score of 64 out of 100. The company provides affordable plan options, keeps out-of-pocket costs low and has a strong track record of approving claims.
In Maine, we looked at 24 health insurance plans to determine the best one.
Affordable premium rates
Very few claims denied
Limited plans
Higher out-of-pocket maximums
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Maine is Taro Health. The provider offers two Silver HMO plans at an average rate of $509 per month. The average MOOP cost for these plans is $9,000.
HMO plans like those offered by Taro Health typically require members to use doctors and hospitals within the network. Taro Health has a denial rate of 0%, which is lower than most of the competition.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following Silver plans from Taro Health:
Taro Health, scoring 58 out of 100, has the best health insurance provider in Maine for low out-of-pocket costs. It offers affordable plan options and denies fewer claims than most other insurers.
For this analysis, we evaluated six Gold HMO plans, six Gold PPO plans and one Platinum PPO plan.
Affordable premium rates
Very few claims denied
Few plan types offered
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Maine for low out-of-pocket costs is Taro Health. It offers two Gold plans, which are known for their lower MOOP costs. The plans cost an average of $583 per month and have an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $7,225.
Gold plans often provide comprehensive coverage, helping you save on health costs throughout the year. Taro Health has a denial rate of 0%, which is lower than most of the competition.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following Gold plans:
Taro Health is the best provider of cheap health insurance in Maine, earning a MoneyGeek score of 78 out of 100. It offers the cheapest plan options, denies fewer claims than most and offers a number of HMO plans.
For this analysis, we looked at 24 silver plans in Maine, including 18 Silver HMO plans and six Silver PPO plans. We focused more on plans with lower monthly premiums, even though plans with lower premiums can have higher costs when you use the health care services.
Highly competitive premium rates
Very few claims denied
High out-of-pocket maximums
Only HMO plans available
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best cheap health insurance in Maine is Taro Health. Its offerings are all HMO plans, which typically require members to stay within their network of providers. Taro Health's plans cost an average of $508 per month and have an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $9,050.
Taro Health has a denial rate of 0%.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following cheap Silver plans:
Taro Health provides the best health insurance in Maine for young adults, with a MoneyGeek score of 77 out of 100. It offers plans with more affordable rates, has lower out-of-pocket costs and denies fewer claims than the other companies in our research.
We evaluated 27 Bronze plans, including 20 HMO plans and seven PPO plans. For young adults under 30, we also looked at three Catastrophic HMO plans.
Offers affordable premium rates
Low out-of-pocket costs
Very few claims denied
Only offers HMO plans
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Maine for young adults is Taro Health. Young adults often pick lower coverage because they generally need less medical care. Taro Health has three Bronze HMO plans for young adults. These plans cost about $309 a month and have a maximum out-of-pocket cost of $8,700.
HMOs often have lower premiums and require you to choose a primary care doctor. Taro Health 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. In Maine, 18 Silver HMO plans and 6 Silver PPO plans are available. The best providers in Maine for each plan category are:
These recommendations consider only Silver plans. Silver plans find a balance between the monthly cost and what you pay when you use services. These plans work well for people who go to the doctor more than a few times a year.
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Maine for Silver PPO plans is Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. It offers two Silver PPO plans at an average monthly rate of $563 and an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $8,800. The provider has a denial rate of 22.74%, which is higher than average.
Silver PPO plans give you the freedom to pick your own doctors, and you don't need referrals to see specialists. They are quite common, but they usually cost more than HMO plans and might not be the best option if you need to watch your spending.
Plan Recommendations
We suggest the following Silver PPO plans from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield:
In Maine, MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance provider is Taro Health. It offers two Silver HMO plans. These plans have an average rate of $508 per month and an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $9,050. The provider has a denial rate of 0%, which means it accepts all eligible claims.
HMO plans are common and can be less expensive than others. They require staying in the network except for emergencies, and you need referrals to see specialists. HMO plans are good if you want lower monthly costs and have in-network doctors nearby.
Plan Recommendations
We suggest the following Silver HMO plans from Taro Health:
Your health care requirements and budget will determine which Maine health insurance policy best suits you. It's crucial to balance manageable monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Below, we've outlined two points to consider before purchasing health insurance.
Understand when a health insurance plan will cover you
When you have health insurance, doctors and hospitals that agree to take your plan are called "in-network providers." You usually pay less when you use them. Some plans let you see "out-of-network" doctors, but you might pay more.
In Maine, there are six PPO plans and 18 HMO plans to choose from. HMO plans might cost less, but you have to stay in the network to get the lower price. With PPO plans, you have more choices, but you might pay extra to see more doctors.
Weigh the cost of premiums vs. the cost of care
When you look for health insurance, you want to find a good balance between your monthly premiums and the most you might have to pay in a year for health care. Some plans that don't cost much each month might have high maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs. If you choose to pay more each month, you might not have to pay as much when you use health care.
For example, the Silver plan TARO Direct Primary Care Silver has a monthly cost of $509 and a MOOP of $9,000. It costs just a little more than TARO Clear Choice Silver 4200, which costs $507 a month with a MOOP of $9,100. These plans have a cost difference of just $2 per month. However, the Silver plan with the lowest MOOP can save you money if you often need medical care.
Medicare is available to residents of Maine who are 65 or older or have a disability or sickness that meets specific requirements. It's a federal program that can help with the costs of some medical care, but you may still have to pay for it. These are some of the benefits provided by the plan:
Your specific requirements will determine your best Medicare Advantage plan in Maine. You can also check our guide if you want the best Medicare Supplements plan in Maine.
Meanwhile, if you qualify for Medicaid, your medical coverage is provided at no cost to you. Since Maine has adopted Medicaid expansion, Mainers with low income can now access the program. Medicaid is available to those with incomes at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level.
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 Maine for 2024 is provided by Taro Health. 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.
