2023 Open Enrollment
For those with an Arizona individual or family health insurance policy the annual open enrollment period begins November 1st, 2022 and ends January 15th, 2023. If you enroll by December 15th, 2022 your coverage will begin January 1st, 2023, otherwise February 1st, 2023.
There are two major changes in the Arizona market for 2023 individual and family plans. The first is that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona will offer an HSA qualified PPO plan offering nationwide coverage. The second is that Bright Health has pulled out of the market. In fact, Bright Health is pulling out of nine states, and is attempting to raise $175 million to stay afloat.
If you qualify for a subsidy/tax credit you must purchase your individual or family policy through the Marketplace. (Mike Higgins is certified to sell Marketplace plans.) Marketplace plans are also known as Obamacare plans or ACA plans. The Marketplace is www.healthcare.gov in Arizona. If you don’t qualify for a subsidy you may enroll in a plan directly with the insurance company offering coverage (off-market.) Plans and prices will be the same on or off Marketplace.
If you do not qualify for a subsidy and are in generally good health, you may want to consider a three-year Arizona short term health insurance policy (STM). Short term policies are approximately half the cost of an ACA plan and offer excellent coverage for the money. STM policies are medically underwritten, and no pre-existing conditions are covered within the last five years generally.
For those on COBRA, switching to an ACA plan during open enrollment is probably best in most circumstances, as opposed to riding out the COBRA benefit period and then enrolling in an ACA plan. For one, you will avoid the possibility of two deductibles to be met in the same year, and two, you will avoid the need to show documentation during the Marketplace special enrollment period when COBRA ends.
Arizona health insurance is complex, confusing, and fragmented to say the least. The good news is that there is free assistance available at your convenience. Mike Higgins, 602-405-8769.