Updated: May 22, 2024
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Best Health InsuranceVirginiaBest Health Insurance in Virginia
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We downloaded plan data for Virginia 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.
Kaiser Permanente has a MoneyGeek rating of 75 out of 100, which makes it the provider with the best health insurance in Virginia. It denies fewer claims than most and offers plan options that are more affordable and with lower out-of-pocket costs.
For this analysis, we looked at 38 Silver health plans in Virginia.
Denies very few claims
Offers affordable premium rates
High maximum out-of-pocket costs compared to competition
Limited variety of plan types available
Kaiser Permanente is MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Virginia. The provider offers three Silver HMO plans at an average cost of $408 per month and an average MOOP of $8,489.
Kaiser Permanente's Silver HMO plans allow members to choose doctors and specialists within a network. These plans offer structured, network-based care without any out-of-network coverage. Kaiser Permanente has a denial rate of 8%, lower than most of the competition.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following Silver plans from Kaiser Permanente:
Kaiser Permanente has the best health insurance in Virginia for people who want to pay less out of their own pocket. The company earned a MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100. It gives members health plans that cost less and have low out-of-pocket costs. It also doesn't reject claims as often as other companies do.
For this research, we looked at 30 health plans in Virginia, including six EPO plans and 24 HMO plans.
Offers affordable premium rates
Minimal out-of-pocket costs
Very few claims denied
Variety of plan types available
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Virginia for low out-of-pocket costs is Kaiser Permanente. It offers four Gold plans and one Platinum plan. These metal tiers are known for their lower maximum out-of-pocket costs. Kaiser Permanente's plans cost an average of $424 per month, with an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $6,556.
Kaiser Permanente provides HMO plans that offer a network of doctors and encourage members to choose a primary care physician. The company has a lower denial rate than most of the competition at 8%.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following Gold and Platinum plans:
Kaiser Permanente is the best provider of cheap health insurance in Virginia, earning a MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100. The provider offers lower-than-average rates for plans, has lower out-of-pocket expenses and denies fewer claims than most other providers.
For this analysis, we looked at 38 Silver plans in Virginia, including eight Silver EPO plans, 28 Silver HMO plans and two Silver PPO plans. We focused more on plans with low monthly premiums, which usually means plans will have higher out-of-pocket costs.
Frequently approves claims
Offers affordable premium rates
Limited variety of plan types offered
MoneyGeek’s top pick for the best cheap health insurance in Virginia is Kaiser Permanente. It offers three Silver HMO plans, giving families affordable health care options. HMO plans usually require choosing a primary doctor and getting referrals to see specialists.
Kaiser Permanente's plans come at an average plan rate of $406 and an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $8,367. The provider has a denial rate of 8.5%, which is lower than most of the competition.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following cheap Silver plans:
Kaiser Permanente offers the best health insurance in Virginia for young adults, with a MoneyGeek score of 69 out of 100. The company has lower-than-average denial rates for claims, and its plans have lower out-of-pocket costs.
We evaluated 30 Bronze plans and four Catastrophic plans for this category. Note that only individuals under the age of 30 can get Catastrophic coverage.
Exceptionally low claim denial rate
Significantly low out-of-pocket costs
Limited plan type options
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Virginia for young adults is Kaiser Permanente. Young adults sometimes choose plans with less coverage because they don't need as many medical services as older people might. Kaiser Permanente offers one Catastrophic plan and four Bronze plans. These plans cost $203 a month on average, with a maximum out-of-pocket cost of around $8,960.
Kaiser Permanente only provides HMO plans. An HMO plan means you get care within a specific network of doctors and hospitals. With an 8.5%, the company has a lower denial rate than most of the competition, making it more likely to process eligible claims.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following plans for young adults in Virginia:
Health insurance companies have a variety of plans. In Virginia, there are two Silver PPO plans, 28 Silver HMO plans and eight Silver EPO plans available. The best providers for each kind are:
MoneyGeek's recommendations only used Silver plans. These plans are a good choice for people who go to the doctor sometimes. They give a balance between monthly premiums and maximum out-of-pocket costs.
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Virginia for Silver PPO plans is CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield. It offers two Silver PPO plans. These plans have an average monthly plan rate of $917 and an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $7,800. The company has an average claims denial rate of 17%, which means it approves and denies claims at about the same rate as other companies we evaluated.
PPO plans like the ones offered by CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield are popular because they let you pick your own doctors, and you don't need to get a referral to see a specialist. This makes them a good choice if you want more freedom. However, they can be more expensive than HMO plans, so they might not be the best for you if you are watching your spending.
Plan Recommendations
We suggest the following Silver PPO plans from CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield:
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Virginia for Silver EPO plans is Oscar Insurance Company. It offers three plans at an average rate of $438 per month and an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $9,150. With a denial rate of about 11.72%, Oscar Insurance Company denies fewer claims than average.
Silver EPO plans like those from Oscar Insurance Company have advantages and disadvantages. They are quite popular, being the third most common plan type. You don't always need a referral to see a specialist, which can make getting care quicker. However, you'll need to stick with doctors in the network unless it's an emergency, which can limit your choices.
Plan Recommendations
We suggest the following Silver EPO plans from Oscar Insurance Company:
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Virginia for Silver HMO plans is Kaiser Permanente. It offers plans at an average rate of $406 per month and an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $8,367. The provider has a denial rate of 8.45%, which is lower than average.
Silver HMO plans can be less expensive than other types, making them suitable for those who want lower monthly payments. These plans work well if you go to doctors in the HMO network. Also, note that you need a referral from your primary care physician if you want to see a specialist.
Plan Recommendations
We suggest the following Silver HMO plans from Kaiser Permanente:
Your budget and coverage needs will determine which health insurance company in Virginia is the best fit for you. The following are some tips that can be useful when buying health insurance.
Understand when a health insurance plan will cover you
Health insurance can pay for your doctor visits. In-network doctors have an agreement with your insurance provider to charge certain prices, allowing you to see them at lower costs. Out-of-network doctors don't have a deal with your provider, and you might pay more to visit them.
In Virginia, there are 28 HMO plans, two PPO plans and eight EPO plans, giving you many plans to choose from. PPO plans let you visit more out-of-network doctors, but they might cost more. EPO and HMO plans don't let you see as many out-of-network doctors, but they can be cheaper.
Weigh the cost of premiums vs. the cost of care
When you look for health insurance, it's important to consider how much you pay each month and the maximum annual cost to access medical services. You have to find what works best for your health needs. Sometimes, if you pick a plan with a small monthly cost, you might have a big limit on what you pay out of pocket in a year. If you go to the doctor often, choosing a plan with a higher monthly cost might give you a smaller yearly limit, possibly saving you money.
Let's look at a plan from Kaiser Permanente called KP VA Silver Virtual Forward 4000 Ded. This plan has the lowest maximum out-of-pocket (MOO) cost of $8,000 out of all the Silver plans from Kaiser Permanente. The monthly cost of $390 is less than what Kaiser Permanente usually charges for Silver plans. If you need to see the doctor often, this could be a good plan for you because of the low monthly premium and MOOP.
Virginia residents who are 65 or older or who have a disability or sickness that meets specific requirements may be eligible for Medicare. Medicare recipients still have to pay insurance premiums, though the cost of their coverage is far lower than that of a policy from a private provider.
Medicare coverages have restrictions, so read your policy carefully before enrolling. We also analyzed the best Virginia Medicare Supplement plans and the top Medicare Advantage plans in Virginia.
Some residents of Virginia may also qualify for Medicaid, which provides free health coverage. Those with incomes at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level and who are residents of expansion states are eligible to enroll in Medicaid.
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 Virginia for 2024 is provided by Kaiser Permanente. 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.
