The Cheapest (and Best) Health Insurance in Harrisburg, PA (2024)


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Updated: May 22, 2024

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In addition to location, age, plan type, personal health care needs and the number of people on your plan are all factors that affect the cost of health insurance premiums.

MoneyGeek compiled and reviewed marketplace data from various providers to determine the cheapest health insurance companies in Harrisburg. Aside from the cost, the quality of service also matters.

MoneyGeek also examined customer satisfaction with customer service as rated by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). However, not all plan types are offered by every company. So, shopping around when looking for an affordable health insurance company in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is important.

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METHODOLOGY

Best Overall and Runner-Up

For best overall and runner-up, MoneyGeek evaluated cost, customer satisfaction and plan data obtained from the Health Insurance Exchange Public Use Files, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index to establish recommendations. Categories were weighted 55% for cost, 35% for customer service and 10% for plan options.

Best Cheap

In most cases, plans were aggregated to generate the estimated costs for any given company. Although the represented data shows the average premiums for any given section, specific company plans will vary in price. Unless otherwise stated, rates reflect the cost for a 40-year-old individual.

Best Overall Health Insurance in Harrisburg

Regarding health insurance, it’s important to consider more than just the cost when choosing a health insurance plan. You should also consider plan options, cost-sharing choices and the quality of customer service.

MoneyGeek analyzed health insurance companies in Harrisburg and found that Geisinger Health Plan is the overall best company. This provider balances affordability with excellent customer service.

Best Health Insurance in Harrisburg

Geisinger Health Plan

pros

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Affordable plans

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Above-average customer service rating

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Various payment options available (online, phone and email)

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HMO and PPO plans available

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Over 120 partner hospitals

cons

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Limited metal tier options

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek analysis found that Geisinger Health Plan is the overall best provider in Harrisburg. Geisinger Health Plan, or GHP, is a Pennsylvania-based health insurance provider. The company was founded in 1915, has more than 500,000 members and serves about 3 million residents across 45 counties. Geisinger began offering prepaid health plans in 1972 to employees in five counties and became a fully licensed health maintenance organization in 1985.

This company received an above-average rating from NCQA, assessing clinical quality and patient satisfaction. GHP also earned a MoneyGeek score of 88.5 out of 100, meaning that it's competitively priced against other providers in the area.

Although, Geisinger Health Plan offers limited plan options. They are also straightforward to work with when it comes to billing. In addition, Geisinger Health Plan offers Bronze, Silver and Gold plan tiers.

Health Insurance in Harrisburg Runner-Up

Capital BlueCross earned a MoneyGeek score of 76 out of 100 to emerge as the second-best option for health insurance in Harrisburg.

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Health Insurance Runner-Up
Capital BlueCross

Based in Harrisburg, Capital BlueCross is a top health care provider, serving 21 counties in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley. This company is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association.

Capital BlueCross received an above-average rating for affordability and customer service. Although the company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), it received an A+ from BBB’s website that rates companies on their performance in business practices, product/service quality, responsiveness to complaints and other factors.

In addition, Capital BlueCross offers HMO, PPO and EPO plans with different levels of coverage and wellness programs, such as those to quit smoking, manage diabetes and manage weight.

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HOW TO FIND CHEAP HEALTH INSURANCE

If you're looking for cheap health insurance in Harrisburg, the best place to start is the marketplace. Marketplace plans are organized by metal tier, with Bronze being the most inexpensive and Platinum being the most expensive. Catastrophic plans are usually available to young people under 30 or low-income families.

To find the cheapest health care insurance in Harrisburg, MoneyGeek recommends considering Bronze plans. However, ensure they meet your needs; alternatively, you can also consider Silver plans.

Cheapest Health Insurance in Harrisburg for Individuals

In Harrisburg, health insurance costs are determined by how you share the cost of health care with the insurer. Premium prices also vary across state, city and county levels. The best company for you may not be the cheapest option.

However, if cost is a primary concern, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with the marketplace metal system that sets standards for what insurers can charge different members. Plan categories include Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Each has various maximum out-of-pocket expenses based on premiums.

If affordability is important to you, MoneyGeek recommends getting quotes from various providers to find the best fit for your budget needs. Compare deductibles, copays and co-insurance to help identify the plan with the lowest premium.

Bronze and Catastrophic plans offer the cheapest premiums but may not be enough in case a significant medical expense happens. Remember, many factors will determine which plan works best for you.

Cheapest Health Insurance in Harrisburg for Individuals by Metal Tier
Metal Tier
Company
Monthly Premium

Bronze

Geisinger Health Plan

$345

Silver

Capital BlueCross

$506

Gold

Capital BlueCross

$489

Some companies offer Expanded Bronze — this tier is the middle ground between Bronze and Silver. Expanded Bronze is typically more expensive than Bronze but still cheaper than Silver. This plan covers at least one major service before the deductible is met.

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UNDERSTANDING HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS

When shopping for health insurance in Harrisburg, it's crucial to understand more than just the monthly premium. You'll also want to consider the deductible, copayments and co-insurance. The monthly premium is just one part of your overall health insurance costs.

  • Premium: The total amount paid by an individual or family per month for insurance.
  • Deductible: ​​A fixed dollar amount that must be paid out of pocket before coverage begins.
  • Out-of-Pocket Maximum: The maximum limit on how much an individual or family has to pay in deductibles.
  • Co-Insurance: The percentage of medical expenses the policyholder covers after reaching their deductible.
  • Copay: A flat fee paid for care rendered at the time of service.

How Age Affects Health Insurance Costs in Harrisburg

Age is a significant factor when determining the costs of health insurance. The older you are, the more expensive your health insurance will be. Older people generally have more considerable health care needs than younger people.

These needs can include treatment for chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

If you're looking for the cheapest health insurance plans in Harrisburg, consider Bronze or Expanded Bronze plans. These plans have the lowest monthly premiums but ensure the provider network works for you. If out of network, you would pay out of pocket for out-of-network coverage, which can be a substantial expense.

The table below provides an overview of how premiums increase based on age.

Cheapest Health Insurance in Harrisburg by Age
Age
Company
Monthly Premium

18

Geisinger Health Plan

$246

26

Geisinger Health Plan

$276

40

Geisinger Health Plan

$345

60

Geisinger Health Plan

$732

Cheapest Health Insurance in Harrisburg for Families

The more family members you add to your health insurance plan, the higher the monthly costs will be. Still, this is cheaper than insuring each person individually.

MoneyGeek compiled the average cost of health insurance premiums by family size and metal level in Harrisburg in the chart below.

Cheapest Premiums for Family Health Insurance
Metal Tier
Family of Three
Family of Four
Family of Five
Family of Six

Bronze

$689

$689

$689

$689

Silver

$1,011

$1,011

$1,011

$1,011

Gold

$979

$979

$979

$979

How to Find Cheap Health Insurance in Harrisburg

When shopping for health insurance in Harrisburg, evaluating your health care needs and budget is crucial because a perfect plan does not exist. To determine which health insurance plan is best for you, you must weigh coverage against costs to determine the best possible health insurance plan for your care needs.

For example, high-deductible health plans may be a good option for those in good health. However, individuals anticipating intensive medical care may want to consider a health insurance plan that offers more comprehensive benefits at an affordable cost.

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SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE

A short-term health insurance plan is excellent if you're between jobs or waiting for coverage to start. These plans are typically more affordable than traditional health insurance and can be tailored to your specific needs. There are a few things to remember when shopping for a short-term plan:

  • Expensive with high copays
  • Requires good health
  • Offers no subsidies
  • Has low monthly payments

But overall, these plans can be an excellent option for those who need coverage on a budget.

Health Insurance Subsidies and Income-Based Assistance

The government offers subsidies and income-based assistance to make health insurance more affordable. For example, subsidies to reduce plan costs are available to those whose wages at least meet the federal poverty level (FPL). Subsidies are generally limited to 400% of the FPL, but the American Rescue Plan waived this requirement for 2022, allowing more individuals to qualify.

Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are alternative possibilities if you do not qualify for a health insurance subsidy. Your income must be between 100% and 150% of the FPL, depending on your state, to be eligible for Medicaid.

Finding the Best Health Insurance in Harrisburg

When it comes to health insurance, the cheapest option isn’t always the best one. Sometimes, a low-premium with a high deductible plan may cost more if you need regular care. However, you still want to find a good balance between quality and affordability.

Tips for Finding the Right Coverage for You

When finding the cheapest health insurance coverage in Harrisburg, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. You need to assess your needs and find a plan that covers what's important to you. Don't just go for the cheapest option — make sure you're getting the coverage you need.

MoneyGeek outlines the process of evaluating health insurance coverage to determine the care plan that best suits your needs.

1
Know Where to Start

Harrisburg residents shopping for health coverage have several options, including those made available by employers, your parents (if you’re under 26), the Health Insurance Marketplace and the government.

2
Mark the Enrollment Deadlines

Market plans are usually only available to purchase or change during open enrollment. If you miss the deadline, you may have to wait until the next open enrollment period to get coverage. But if you qualify for a particular enrollment period, then you may be able to buy marketplace coverage outside of the usual time frame. Exceptional qualifying circumstances do exist.

3
Understand Your Health Care Needs

Whether looking for health insurance for the first time or shopping for a new plan, it's essential to understand your health care needs. After all, you want to ensure you get the right coverage for you. For example, if you have a preferred physician, ensure they are in your plan's network before signing up.

4
Review Costs

To find the cheapest and best health insurance in Harrisburg, you'll need to review the costs of various plans. Compare the monthly premiums, deductibles, copayments and co-insurance. Remember that lower premiums correlate with higher out-of-pocket maximums, and higher premiums correspond with more coverage.

5
Check Your Prescriptions

It would be best to consider whether the plan covers your specific needs. For example, if you have a chronic condition, you'll want to ensure that your plan covers your medication and treatments.

6
Choose Your Plan

The cheapest health insurance plan may not meet the needs of every individual. However, if you are comfortable with the coverage provided by the most affordable plan, you can purchase it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Health Insurance in Harrisburg

MoneyGeek provides answers to frequently asked questions about health insurance plans in Harrisburg.

What’s the cheapest health insurance in Harrisburg?
What’s the best health insurance in Harrisburg?
How can I get cheap health insurance in Harrisburg?

About Brenna Kelly


Brenna Kelly headshot

Brenna Kelly, the former Health Insurance Content Manager at MoneyGeek, is a licensed health insurance agent and real estate associate. She is qualified to provide expert insight and advice on medical insurance, disability, long-term care, critical illness, Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage Plans.

Kelly has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Applied Sociology from the University of Central Florida. She uses her content production experience and health insurance expertise to deliver informative articles.


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