The Cheapest (and Best) Health Insurance in San Antonio, TX (2023)
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Ensure you're getting the best rate. Review quotes from a top insurance company.
Your city, age, plan type and the number of individuals covered are some of the variables that affect health insurance cost.
To determine the cheapest health insurance in San Antonio, MoneyGeek gathered and examined market data. We also chose the best health insurance providers in San Antonio based on client satisfaction, plan options and affordability.
MoneyGeek recommends comparison shopping to discover the best offer for your needs since not all health providers provide the same plans. In addition, if there is only one company offering coverage in your city, choose the plan that is best for you.
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 San Antonio
When purchasing health insurance, cost shouldn't be the primary consideration. It is wise to compare the plans available, customer service, price and cost-sharing options offered by each company.
MoneyGeek found that Friday Health Plans is the best health insurance company in San Antonio among all the companies evaluated based on these criteria. It earned a score of 98 out of 100.
Best Health Insurance in San Antonio
pros
Perfect affordability score
Excellent customer service
Multiple metal tiers available
Provides member portal and mobile app
Free mental health visits
cons
Out-of-network coverage in emergencies only
Available in select states
Limited phone customer service hours
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Friday Health Plans is the top health insurance company in San Antonio, according to MoneyGeek's review, earning a total score of 98 out of 100. This insurance provider provides unrestricted free primary care and mental health visits for all its available plan types. It ranked well in plan options, affordability and customer service.
However, the company may not be available for you if you don’t reside in Texas or any of the select states they cater to. Fortunately, you can manage your account easily using the company’s mobile app.
Health Insurance in San Antonio Runner-Up
Molina Healthcare came in second place in San Antonio's best health insurance provider comparison, receiving a MoneyGeek rating of 60 out of 100. It ranks well in affordability but lower in plan options and customer service.
Molina Healthcare
Families and individuals who are eligible for government-sponsored programs can access a wide range of high-quality health care services through Molina Healthcare. It works as a health plan and enters into contracts with state governments.
While Molina Healthcare ranks well in affordability, it scored lower in customer service and plan options. The insurer cares about quality care and easy access to health care and aims to provide friendly customer service.
Plans on the health insurance market are organized according to metal tiers. Platinum, if available, is typically the most expensive tier. Bronze is the cheapest. Low-income individuals or those under 30 years of age might have access to Catastrophic plans.
If you want to save money on health care while still covering your medical needs, consider Catastrophic or Bronze plans. Otherwise, take a look at Silver plans that have more coverage and often offer subsidies.
Cheapest Health Insurance in San Antonio for Individuals
Depending on how you split medical expenses with the insurance company, San Antonio health insurance rates may vary. This is the case in all cities and states. Knowing how market metal tiers, premiums and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs are related is ideal if affordability is your top objective.
Additionally, watch out for other costs that are not covered by your premium, such as the deductible, copay and co-insurance of the health insurance company in San Antonio you choose to use.
The most affordable rates for metal tiers are found in the Bronze and Catastrophic plans. Even if you have Catastrophic coverage, you might not have enough coverage for regular medical needs. The MoneyGeek table below gives examples of plan prices for metal tiers in San Antonio.
Cheapest Health Insurance in San Antonio for Individuals by Metal Tier
Metal Tier | Company | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
Catastrophic | Friday Health Plans | $240 |
Bronze | Friday Health Plans | $260 |
Expanded Bronze | Molina Healthcare | $276 |
Silver | Friday Health Plans | $391 |
Gold | Friday Health Plans | $375 |
Some health insurance providers in San Antonio provide Expanded Bronze plans if you require a plan that falls between the Bronze and Silver tiers. Expanded Bronze plans offer a little more security by paying for at least one major treatment before requiring a deductible.
It’s important to understand that health insurance costs go beyond monthly premiums. Make sure you understand the following terms:
- Premium: Your monthly insurance premium is a predetermined amount. This keeps your coverage active.
- Deductible: A deductible is the sum you must pay before the health care provider starts to cover its portion of the costs.
- Out-of-Pocket Maximum: Often known as the MOOP, this is the most you may expect to spend for health care on top of your premium.
- Co-Insurance: This is the portion of the cost of a health treatment or medical procedure that you are responsible for after your deductible has been reached.
- Copay: Every time you see a doctor or fill a prescription, this is the fee you must pay.
Understanding your costs and the basics of your health insurance will help you understand what services your plan will cover and how much each visit or prescription will cost.
How Age Affects Health Insurance Costs in San Antonio
No matter where you live, one of the key elements influencing the cost of your health insurance in San Antonio or anywhere else is your age. Health insurance companies raise their rates for seniors in anticipation of their increased health care demands.
In general, the cheapest health insurance plans in San Antonio will be Bronze or Expanded Bronze plans. Because Catastrophic plans have restrictions on eligibility, they were not included in the cheapest company table below.
If you choose a lower-tiered plan, make sure you are comfortable with the network so that you can avoid paying out of pocket for out-of-network services.
Cheapest Health Insurance in San Antonio by Age
Age | Company | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
18 | Friday Health Plans | $186 |
26 | Friday Health Plans | $209 |
40 | Friday Health Plans | $260 |
60 | Friday Health Plans | $553 |
Cheapest Health Insurance in San Antonio for Families
Whenever you add family members to your plan, your health insurance premiums will increase. Even so, doing this is still less expensive than purchasing separate plans for each of your loved ones.
To see how family health insurance rates in San Antonio differ by family size and metal level, check out the table below.
Cheapest Premiums for Family Health Insurance
Metal Tier | Family of Three | Family of Four | Family of Five | Family of Six |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Catastrophic | $625 | $769 | $913 | $1,056 |
Bronze | $676 | $832 | $988 | $1,144 |
Expanded Bronze | $716 | $881 | $1,046 | $1,211 |
Silver | $1,015 | $1,249 | $1,482 | $1,716 |
Gold | $973 | $1,198 | $1,422 | $1,646 |
How to Find Cheap Health Insurance in San Antonio
The best health insurance plan varies. Find a San Antonio health insurance provider that offers solutions that meet your needs while remaining within your budget.
If you don't think you'll need much medical care in a given year, you could benefit from a high-deductible plan with a low premium. However, if you have many medical needs, more expensive monthly plans could end up being less expensive overall if they cover your cost of care.
If you need immediate coverage, short-term health insurance is an economical choice. Before signing up for short-term coverage, keep in mind the following:
- It sometimes excludes people with previous diseases and doesn’t always cover the basic benefits.
- Even though it may have cheap monthly fees, the cost of treatment will likely be substantial because of high copays and co-insurance.
- Tax breaks and subsidies are not accessible.
Short-term health insurance is not a long-term replacement for marketplace plans.
Health Insurance Subsidies and Income-Based Assistance
You might be qualified for financial aid to cover the cost of some or all of your health insurance if your income falls within a specified low-income range. Subsidies to reduce insurance costs are available to people with income that is at least 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Generally, these subsidies are capped at 400% of the FPL. However, the American Rescue Plan suspended this rule for 2022, allowing more people to get access to subsidies.
The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid are other options if you are not eligible for a health insurance subsidy. Depending on your state, you must earn between 100% and 150% of the FPL to be eligible for Medicaid.
Finding the Best Health Insurance in San Antonio
You won’t always get the best value from the cheapest health insurance plan in San Antonio. It’s also important to remember that selecting a plan with the lowest premium could end up costing you more money in the long term, particularly if you frequently require medical treatment.
Tips for Finding the Right Coverage for You
Compare and shop around for plans before choosing a San Antonio health insurance policy. These tips were put together by MoneyGeek to assist you in finding the best health care insurance for your needs.
Know Where to Start
It can be confusing to figure out where to start when getting health insurance. If you're under 26 years old, you can start your search for health insurance through your parents. You can also try your place of employment, the health insurance market or official government websites.
Mark the Enrollment Deadlines
Marketplace plans are often only offered during open enrollment. However, qualifying circumstances exist that allow you to get coverage outside of open enrollment (for example, losing your job).
The deadlines for open enrollment should be noted because they are limited. You don’t want to miss them.
Understand Your Health Care Needs
When selecting a health insurance plan in San Antonio, your health care needs and preferences should be your main consideration. Examine the summary of benefits to see if it meets your needs. Also, make sure your preferred doctors are covered by a plan's network.
Review Costs
You can determine a budget that works for you by evaluating the premium, copay, co-insurance and deductible of a plan. A lower premium typically results in a higher maximum out-of-pocket expense (MOOP). If you're still undecided, Silver plans provide a solid middle ground. Also, flat fees are typically better than a co-insurance percentage.
Check Your Prescriptions
Ask your potential insurance company if the prescription you need is covered by your chosen health insurance plan. It’s important to make sure the medication you need is covered or affordable.
Choose Your Plan
Not everyone's needs will be met by the cheapest health insurance option. However, you're free to buy the most economical plan if you feel comfortable with the level of coverage it provides.
Frequently Asked Questions About Health Insurance in San Antonio
San Antonio's health insurance market can be difficult to navigate. MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions about health insurance in San Antonio to help you find the best option for your needs.
About Brenna Kelly, Licensed Health Insurance Agent
sources
- Friday Health Plans. "About." Accessed August 2, 2022.
- Friday Health Plans. "Activate Your Member Portal and Mobile App." Accessed August 2, 2022.
- HealthCare.gov. "Federal Poverty Level (FPL)." Accessed August 3, 2022.
- Molina Healthcare. "About Us." Accessed September 2, 2022.
- Molina Healthcare. "Molina Health Plans." Accessed August 1, 2022.