Updated: October 25, 2024
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In Alaska, Moda offers the most affordable plans across Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Gold and Silver tiers. Selecting metal tiers beyond Silver affects your health insurance costs.
If you are looking to balance monthly premiums with quality claims and coverage, MoneyGeek analyzed the best health insurance in Alaska.
CheapestHealth InsuranceAlaskaMost Affordable Health Insurance in Alaska
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We downloaded plan data for Alaska directly from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Plan data was updated with the CMS exchange data released in October, the latest available data for the 2024 enrollment period.
The most cost-effective option in the Silver tier in Alaska is the Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Silver offered by Moda at a monthly rate of $861. Silver plans as the most commonly selected type. For individuals interested in lower monthly premiums, albeit with potentially higher out-of-pocket expenses, Bronze plans are an alternative.
Health insurance premiums are contingent on the metal tier, with higher tiers generally commanding larger premiums in exchange for reduced out-of-pocket costs and lower deductibles.
Here are the most affordable health insurance plans from each metal tier:
For more information on finding cheap health insurance, explore your options and consider both the premiums and potential out-of-pocket costs.
| Expanded Bronze | Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Bronze | Moda | $525 | $9,400 |
| Bronze | Moda Pioneer Bronze 5500 | Moda | $559 | $9,250 |
| Gold | Moda Pioneer Gold 1500 | Moda | $786 | $6,000 |
| Silver | Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Silver | Moda | $861 | $9,100 |
In the Alaska health insurance marketplace, individuals have the choice of various metal tiers: Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each tier represents a different level of cost-sharing between the insurer and the insured.
Bronze plans generally come with higher out-of-pocket expenses to offset lower premiums. The Moda Pioneer Bronze 5500 has a monthly cost of $559, with a maximum out-of-pocket cost (MOOP) of $9,250. Compare this with the cheapest Expanded Bronze in Alaska — Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Bronze — with a monthly premium of $525 and a MOOP of $9,400.
Conversely, Gold plans, like the Moda Pioneer Gold 1500 with a $786 monthly cost, have higher premiums but significantly lower MOOPs at $6,000. This means that while you pay more monthly, you will likely pay less when receiving medical care.
The Silver tier, however, serves a unique purpose. These plans are eligible for cost-sharing reductions for those below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. This financial assistance reduces copayments, co-insurance and deductibles, making health care more affordable for lower-income individuals and offering a balance between premiums and out-of-pocket costs. The Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Silver has a monthly cost of $861 and maximum out-of-pocket of $9,100.
The most reasonably priced option in the Silver tier for Alaskans is the Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Silver plan offered by Moda, which has a monthly cost of $861.
The top three most cost-effective Silver plans in Alaska include:
Silver plans are particularly well-suited for individuals or families who expect moderate health care usage and prefer a balance between monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. For those with lower income, cost-sharing reductions available on Silver plans can significantly decrease the amount they pay when receiving care. Reducing deductibles, copayments and co-insurance make it more affordable for qualifying customers to access health services.
| Moda | $861 | $9,100 | Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Silver |
| Moda | $885 | $7,750 | Moda Pioneer Silver 4500 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $969 | $9,100 | Premera Blue Cross Standard Silver |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $990 | $8,200 | Premera Blue Cross Preferred Silver 4500 |
The most affordable plan in the Gold tier for Alaska is the Moda Pioneer Gold 1500 offered by Moda, with a monthly cost of $786.
The three most affordable Gold health plans in Alaska are:
Gold plans are well-suited for individuals who expect to need medical care frequently or who wish to have more predictable health care costs with higher premiums and lower out-of-pocket expenses. Customers willing to pay a higher monthly premium for the peace of mind that comes with knowing their costs will be lower throughout the year might consider these plans ideal.
| Moda | $786 | $6,000 | Moda Pioneer Gold 1500 |
| Moda | $787 | $8,700 | Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Gold |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $853 | $8,700 | Premera Blue Cross Standard Gold |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $858 | $6,300 | Premera Blue Cross Alaska One Gold |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $859 | $6,300 | Premera Blue Cross Preferred Gold 1500 |
The most affordable Bronze plan in Alaska is the Moda Pioneer Bronze 5500 offered by Moda, with a monthly cost of $559.
Bronze plans are ideal for individuals who want to keep their monthly premiums low and don't expect to need a significant amount of health care services. These plans have higher out-of-pocket expenses when medical care is needed to compensate for the low monthly cost, making them a good fit for people who are generally healthy and want coverage for major emergencies.
| Moda | $559 | $9,250 | Moda Pioneer Bronze 5500 |
The most affordable plan in the Expanded Bronze tier in Alaska is the Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Bronze offered by Moda, with a monthly cost of $525.
For those in Alaska seeking cost-effective health care coverage, the three most affordable Expanded Bronze plans are:
Expanded Bronze plans are designed for customers who want lower monthly premiums while still receiving essential health benefits. These plans typically come with higher out-of-pocket expenses, making them suitable for those who are generally healthy and do not expect to need frequent medical care. They provide a safety net for major health issues while keeping monthly costs down.
| Moda | $525 | $9,400 | Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Bronze |
| Moda | $561 | $9,000 | Moda Pioneer Bronze 6500 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $633 | $9,400 | Premera Blue Cross Standard Bronze II |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $653 | $8,700 | Premera Blue Cross Alaska One Bronze |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $653 | $8,700 | Premera Blue Cross Preferred Bronze 6350 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $656 | $7,300 | Premera Blue Cross Preferred Bronze 5800 HSA |
Residents of Alaska earning up to 250% below the Federal Poverty Level are eligible for cost-sharing reductions on Silver plans, which make health care more affordable by reducing deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses.
The most affordable Silver plan for Alaskans with an income between $18,210 and $27,315 is the Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Silver offered by Moda. This plan features a maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) cost of $1,800. The lowest-priced plans with their respective out-of-pocket maximums are:
Cost-sharing reductions are available only when purchasing a Silver plan in Alaska, and the income figures mentioned are for single individuals. Different thresholds apply for larger households.
| Moda | $861 | $1,800 | Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Silver |
| Moda | $885 | $500 | Moda Pioneer Silver 4500 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $969 | $1,800 | Premera Blue Cross Standard Silver |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $990 | $650 | Premera Blue Cross Preferred Silver 4500 |
Cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) are discounts that lower the amount you pay for deductibles, copayments and co-insurance. They are available to individuals and families with incomes between 100% and 250% of the Federal Poverty Level who enroll in Silver plans.
For example, without CSRs, the maximum out-of-pocket cost (MOOP) for the Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Silver plan could be $7,200. However, with high-level CSRs (94% AV Level), the MOOP might drop significantly to $1,800, demonstrating the substantial potential savings for eligible enrollees.
In Alaska, the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) is the most common plan type. The most affordable health plan in Alaska for a PPO is the Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Silver with a monthly cost of $861.
PPO plans provide flexibility in choosing health care providers.
| Moda | $861 | $9,100 | Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Silver |
| Moda | $885 | $7,750 | Moda Pioneer Silver 4500 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $969 | $9,100 | Premera Blue Cross Standard Silver |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $990 | $8,200 | Premera Blue Cross Preferred Silver 4500 |
The most common health insurance plan type in Alaska is the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan. PPOs offers flexibility in choosing health care providers by allowing policyholders to visit any health care provider within the network without a referral and often provide some level of coverage for out-of-network providers.
But PPOs typically come with higher premiums compared with other plan types. Out-of-network care, while covered to some extent, will still be more expensive than in-network services.
Health insurance rates and availability of certain plans varies by ZIP code in Alaska.
Comparing the most affordable plans in the largest and smallest counties by population shows this variation in prices:
The following table displays all available health insurance plans in each ZIP code in Alaska.
| Moda | $840 | $9,100 | Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Silver |
| Moda | $863 | $7,750 | Moda Pioneer Silver 4500 |
In Alaska, an 18-year-old with a silver plan pays $662 a month. A 60-year-old pays much more for the same plan, with a monthly cost of $1,967. That's a difference of $1,305, showing how age greatly affects health insurance rates.
Metal tiers indicate the coverage level of health plans, with Bronze being less comprehensive and Gold offering more protection. For a 40-year-old, a Bronze plan costs $559 a month, while a Gold plan is $829. The Gold plan costs $270 more each month, providing better coverage but at a higher price.
MoneyGeek analyzed all the health insurance options in Alaska. We explain private insurance available in the marketplace and the different metal tiers like Bronze, Silver and Gold. We also cover Medicaid and Medicare choices. Our guide is for people who want to understand their health care options better so they can choose wisely.
The open enrollment period in Alaska typically aligns with the federal open enrollment dates for health insurance, running from November 1 through December 15. During this time, Alaskans can shop for private health insurance coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace. If you enroll by December 15, coverage starts on January 1 of the following year. If you miss this deadline, you might have to wait until the next enrollment period to sign up unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). SEPs are triggered by specific life events, such as getting married, having a baby, or losing other health coverage, allowing you to enroll outside the standard period.
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health care coverage to eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities. In Alaska, eligiblity is based on income, family size and other factors, aligning with federal guidelines yet with state-specific criteria. Certain groups such as low-income families, pregnant women and those receiving Supplemental Security Income may qualify. Alaska opted for Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, meaning more adults without dependent children can also receive coverage, typically up to a certain percentage of the federal poverty level. Eligibility requirements can be found on Alaska's Department of Health and Social Services website.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for individuals aged 65 and older, but younger people with certain disabilities or End-Stage Renal Disease can also qualify. In Alaska, eligibility is consistent with the rest of the United States. Medicare consists of different parts:
MoneyGeek found the best Medicare Supplement plans in Alaska.
When looking for health insurance, you may have questions about cost and availability. MoneyGeek responded to frequently asked questions about cheap private health insurance in Alaska to help you learn more.
The cheapest silver plan in Alaska for this year is the Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Silver from Moda, with a monthly cost of $861. The cheapest gold plan in Alaska is the Moda Pioneer Gold 1500, also provided by Moda, with a monthly cost of $786.
Although you'll pay a lower monthly premium for a cheap health insurance plan, you may pay higher out-of-pocket costs when accessing health care services. More expensive plans cover more comprehensive services and considerably lower your out-of-pocket maximums.
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.
