Cheapest Health Insurance in Nebraska (2024 Plans)

Switching from the popular Silver tier can affect your insurance costs. In Nebraska, Medica offers the most affordable Bronze and Expanded Bronze plans; Oscar has the lowest-cost Catastrophic plan; Ambetter leads with the least expensive Silver and Gold plans.

If you are looking to balance monthly premiums with quality claims and coverage, MoneyGeek analyzed the best health insurance in Nebraska.

The cheapest plan in the Silver tier in Nebraska is the Standard Silver offered by Ambetter, which is not only the most common plan type but also has a monthly cost of $585. For those willing to accept higher out-of-pocket costs for lower monthly rates, Bronze plans are an alternative option.

Health insurance costs are contingent upon the metal tier, each offering a balance between monthly premiums and expenses like deductibles and copays.

Here are the most affordable health insurance plans from each metal tier:

• Catastrophic: Secure by Oscar ($358 per month for a 26-year-old)
• Bronze: Medica Insure Bronze Standard by Medica ($576 per month
• Expanded Bronze: Elevate by Medica Expanded Bronze Standard by Medica ($446 per month)
• Silver: Standard Silver by Ambetter ($585 per month)
• Gold: Clear Gold by Ambetter ($578 per month)

Catastrophic plans are only available to those under 30 or with a qualifying hardship exemption.

For more details on cheap health insurance options, consider your individual needs and how different plans might best serve you.

The Standard Silver plan from Ambetter is the most economical option among the Silver tier health insurance plans in Nebraska, with a monthly cost of $585.

The three most affordable Silver health plans in Nebraska are:

• Standard Silver from Ambetter ($585 per month)
• Clear Silver from Ambetter ($592 per month)
• Focused Silver from Ambetter ($597 per month)

Silver plans are well-suited for customers looking for a balance between monthly premium costs and out-of-pocket expenses when you need medical care. These plans are a middle ground, offering moderate premiums and cost-sharing. Individuals and families with moderate incomes can qualify for cost-sharing reductions, which lower the amount you have to pay for deductibles, copayments and co-insurance, making care more accessible and affordable when you need it.

The most affordable plan in the Gold tier in Nebraska is the Clear Gold offered by Ambetter, with a monthly cost of $578.

The three most affordable Gold health plans available in Nebraska are:

• Clear Gold from Ambetter ($578 per month)
• Everyday Gold from Ambetter ($587 per month)
• Standard Gold from Ambetter ($589 per month)

Gold plans are designed for customers who expect to use their health care plan frequently and prefer predictable costs. They offer a higher premium but lower out-of-pocket expenses when receiving medical care. These plans are particularly suitable for individuals or families who may require regular medical attention, such as those with chronic conditions or those who anticipate needing frequent health care services throughout the year.

The most affordable option in the Bronze tier for health insurance in Nebraska is the Medica Insure Bronze Standard plan from Medica, with a monthly cost of $576.

In Nebraska, the two most competitive Bronze health plans by cost are:

• Medica Insure Bronze Standard from Medica ($576 per month)
• HeartlandBlue Bronze 0% Coinsurance After Deductible 9450 NEtwork Blue from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($582 per month)

Bronze plans are designed to offer a balance between monthly premiums and out-of-pocket health care costs. They are ideal for individuals who want to keep their monthly expenses low and are comfortable with higher potential costs when accessing medical care. These plans are particularly suitable for those who are relatively healthy and do not expect to need extensive medical treatment throughout the year.

The most affordable option in the Expanded Bronze tier in Nebraska is the Elevate by Medica Expanded Bronze Standard plan offered by Medica, with a monthly cost of $446.

Introducing the three most budget-friendly Expanded Bronze plans in Nebraska:

• Elevate by Medica Expanded Bronze Standard from Medica ($446 per month)
• Medica with CHI Health Expanded Bronze Standard from Medica ($459 per month)
• Standard Expanded Bronze from Ambetter ($461 per month)

Expanded Bronze plans are designed for individuals who want lower monthly premiums and are comfortable with higher out-of-pocket costs. These plans are particularly suitable for those who do not expect to need frequent medical care and are willing to pay more when they do access health care services. Customers looking for the most basic level of coverage at a reduced rate often find Expanded Bronze plans to be an adequate choice.

Nebraska's most cost-effective Catastrophic tier health plan is the Secure plan offered by Oscar, available at a monthly cost of $358.

Catastrophic plans are ideal for customers seeking a balance between monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs for health care services. These plans generally offer lower premiums compared to Silver or Gold plans, making them suitable for individuals who want coverage for significant health events without high monthly expenses. They are well-suited for those who do not expect to need frequent medical care but want some protection against high-cost emergencies or unforeseen medical issues.

Nebraskans earning 250% below the Federal Poverty Level are eligible for cost-sharing reductions on Silver health insurance plans, substantially lowering deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.

The most affordable Silver plan for those earning between $14,580 and $21,870 is the Standard Silver plan by Ambetter, with a Maximum Out-of-Pocket cost of $1,800. The maximum out-of-pocket costs for the two most affordable plans are:

• Standard Silver from Ambetter (Monthly Cost: $585, Maximum Out-of-Pocket: $1,800)
• Clear Silver from Ambetter (Monthly Cost: $592, Maximum Out-of-Pocket: $550)

Cost-sharing reductions in Nebraska are available exclusively with Silver plans; the income figures pertain to single-person households and vary for larger households.

In Nebraska, the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is the most popular plan type. For those seeking affordable health plans, options beyond HMOs are also available, including Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) plans.

The most affordable HMO plan in Nebraska is the Standard Silver from Ambetter, with a monthly cost that presents an economical choice for residents.

• HMO: Standard Silver from Ambetter ($585 per month)
• EPO: Elevate by Medica Silver Copay $0 PCP Office Visits from Medica ($610 per month)

EPO plans provide an alternative to HMOs, offering a network of providers and specialists without needing referrals for specialists' visits. With these two types of plans available, Nebraskans have options to suit their health care coverage needs.

Health insurance rates and availability of certain plans vary by county in Nebraska.

Comparing the most affordable plans in the largest and smallest counties by population shows this variation:

• Douglas: Standard Silver from Ambetter ($542)
• McPherson: Standard Silver from Ambetter ($678)

The following table details all available health insurance plans in each county in Nebraska.

Age plays a big role in health insurance costs. In Nebraska, an 18-year-old with a Silver plan pays about $476 every month. Meanwhile, a 60-year-old with the same Silver plan would pay around $1,415 monthly. The older person pays $939 more each month, which is a big difference.

Metal tiers tell you how costs are split. A 40-year-old with a Bronze plan pays around $579 a month. If they choose a Gold plan instead, the cost goes up to $691. That's $112 more every month for the Gold plan, which covers more medical expenses than the Bronze one.

MoneyGeek broke down all the health insurance options available in Nebraska. We explain private insurance choices in the marketplace, including Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver and Gold plans. We also cover Medicaid and Medicare. We aim to help users understand their options and make smart choices for their health care needs.

In Nebraska, the open enrollment period for purchasing private health insurance through the health insurance marketplace typically runs from November 1 to December 15 each year. During this time, residents can compare and select health plans for the upcoming year. If you miss this deadline, you may have to wait until the next open enrollment period to sign up for coverage unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). SEPs can be triggered by specific life events such as marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, loss of other health coverage or a move to a new coverage area, 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 individuals and families, including children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities. In Nebraska, eligibility for Medicaid is based on income, household size and meeting specific criteria, such as being a resident of the state, a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen and having a Social Security number. Income thresholds for eligibility vary by group (such as children or pregnant women) and are set as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level. Applications can be submitted through the AccessNebraska website or by other provided state resources.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for individuals aged 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities and individuals with end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In Nebraska, residents who meet these conditions are eligible. Medicare Part A covers hospital insurance, Part B provides medical insurance for services like doctor's visits and outpatient care and Part D covers prescription drugs. Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) offer an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits through private insurers, often with additional benefits.

MoneyGeek found the best Medicare Advantage Plans in Nebraska and the best Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska.

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 Nebraska to help you learn more.