If you don’t know much about individual health insurance, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, most people just know they may need it, and that’s about it.That’s where we can help. IndividualHealthPlans.com was designed to help explain what this health insurance stuff really means, avoiding the“healthcare-ese” you might have found elsewhere. We’ll run you through the basics of individual health plans, so you can feel more confident in making a decision about health insurance.
If you already know what you’re looking for, that’s great! You can view plans underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company and other UnitedHealthcare affiliates, and get quotes here.
The top 5 things people ask about individual health insurance.
Yes. Even though it’s called "individual" health insurance, plans can still cover your family. The only reason they call it "individual" is to differentiate it from "group" plans that a business may offer. Translation: if you need insurance for yourself and/or your family, and you can’t get it through an employer, you’re in the right place.
VIEW PLANS AND GET QUOTES- Self-employed
- Between jobs
- Unable to get coverage through an employer
- No longer covered by a parent's healthcare plan
- Needing an alternative to COBRA
Every plan has limitations. That means not everything will be covered. Take a look at each plan you’re considering so you know the costs, deductibles, copayments, overall benefits – basically, all the important stuff. If you get overwhelmed trying to figure it out, call 866-306-6853 for help from licensed insurance agents.
Another important thing to be aware of, the plans that come with prescription coverage have a list of medications that are covered. This is called the Prescription Drug List (or PDL). If you have medications you take on a regular basis, just make sure to check the list so you know what’s covered and for how much.
A lot of people struggle with understanding insurance terms – things like: premium, deductible, co-insurance, co-pay, etc. Check out this resource for the most commonly used terms and what they mean. Wrapping your head around these terms is half the battle.
Individual health insurance can be purchased through major insurance carriers like Golden Rule Insurance Company, a UnitedHealthcare company, or through the government-run "Public Exchange" or "Marketplace." Everyone is different, so it’s important to choose a health insurance plan that works for your lifestyle, your financial picture, and the time of year when you can apply.
For example, an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan (also sometimes called "Obamacare") may be a great choice if you currently have a health issue and you want "minimum essential coverage" as outlined by the ACA. But if you missed the Open Enrollment period, or don't qualify for special enrollment, Short Term health insurance may be more in line with your current situation.
TELL ME MORE: SHORT TERM HEALTH INSURANCEFor more info on ACA plans, call 866-306-6853
Most people need just some basic, high-level info about each plan type, all in one place. So here you go…
Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans – also known as Obamacare
This is what most people think about when they think “long term” insurance. This covers doctor visits, hospital visits, prescriptions…things like that. Although, for the most part, you can enroll in these plans during a certain time of year known as “Open Enrollment.” Good news though – there are other options…keep reading.
For more info on ACA plans, call 866-306-6853
Short Term Insurance
This is the kind of insurance that's helpful if you have a gap in coverage for some reason. It may also be a good option if you can’t afford traditional plans, but want at least some coverage. These plans offer coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, and other major benefits. As the name suggests, these plans last only for a short period of time. Typically you can choose a term length from 30 days to nearly 12 months, depending on your state.
Fixed Indemnity Insurance
In a nutshell, the plan pays set cash benefits for eligible medical services. There’s no co-pay or deductible or anything like that. Essentially, a flat cash amount is paid for a medical service you receive that is covered by the plan. Not a bad idea, and it can come in handy when those unexpected medical expenses pop up.
Dental Insurance
This obviously covers your smile. You can get a basic plan that covers your regular annual dental checkups or one that’s a bit more inclusive that can cover things like fillings, crowns, root canals, and even dentures.
Vision Insurance
No surprise here. Vision insurance covers your eyes. You can get a plan that covers exams, glasses, or contacts.
Accident Insurance
A lot of people aren’t very familiar with Accident insurance, but it could be great in addition to other health insurance plans. Simply put, Accident insurance pays benefits for accidental injuries – providing benefits for burns and concussions, broken bones and lacerations. It may also cover ambulance service, trips to the ER, physical therapy, and urgent care related to an injury.
Critical Illness Insurance
A Critical Illness insurance plan can pay you cash for a qualifying serious illness like a heart attack, stroke, or even cancer. You can use the cash for bills, living expenses, out-of-pocket medical costs – whatever you want. So you’ll be able to focus on treatment and recovery, instead of a big old pile of bills.
A licensed insurance agent is ready to help you find the right plan for you. 866-306-6853, 6 days a week.
Short-term health insurance is medically underwritten and does not cover preexisting conditions. This coverage is not required to comply with certain federal market requirements for health insurance, principally those contained in the Affordable Care Act. Be sure to check your policy/certificate carefully to make sure you are aware of any exclusions or limitations regarding coverage of preexisting conditions or health benefits (such as hospitalization, emergency service, maternity care, preventive care, prescription drugs, and mental health and substance use disorder services). Your policy/certificate might also have lifetime and/or annual dollar limits on health benefits. If this coverage expires or you lose eligibility for this coverage, you might have to wait until open enrollment period to get other health insurance coverage. This is not Minimal Essential Coverage as defined in the Affordable Care Act and may not cover all Essential Health Benefits in your state. Some Short Term Plans available as association group insurance only to members of FACT, an independent association. Additional membership fees may apply.
FIXED INDEMNITY INSURANCE, ACCIDENT INSURANCE, AND CRITICAL ILLNESS INSURANCE PRODUCTS PROVIDE LIMITED BENEFITS. THESE ARE SUPPLEMENTS TO HEALTH INSURANCE AND ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE MINIMUM ESSENTIAL COVERAGE REQUIRED BY THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (ACA). LACK OF MAJOR MEDICAL COVERAGE (OR OTHER MINIMUM ESSENTIAL COVERAGE) MAY RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PAYMENT WITH YOUR TAXES. These products provide benefits in a stated amount regardless of the actual expenses incurred.
Individualhealthplans.com is operated by Golden Rule Insurance Company. Plans shown on this site are underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company or other UnitedHealthcare affiliated entities.
Product design and availability varies by state. Products may have exclusions, limitations, and other terms for your consideration. For costs and complete details of the coverage, consult the product brochure or call your insurance producer or Golden Rule Insurance Company.