Best Arkansas Health Insurance (2023 Plans)

MoneyGeek’s research indicates that the overall best health insurance company in Arkansas is Blue Cross Blue Shield. The insurer received a high MoneyGeek score of 70 out of 100 for its fair maximum out-of-pocket costs, excellent plan offerings and superior claims management.

To find top health insurance providers in Arkansas, we reviewed data for five POS and 20 PPO Silver plans.

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers the best health insurance in Arkansas to those looking for a plan with low out-of-pocket costs. In addition to its low maximum out-of-pocket costs, it earned an impressive MoneyGeek score of 86 out of 100 for its superior claims management and plan offerings.

We evaluated 11 Gold plans, four Gold POS plans and nine Gold PPO plans to determine the best plans for this category.

Ambetter provides the best cheap health insurance in Arkansas, scoring 80 out of 100 in MoneyGeek’s analysis.

For this category, MoneyGeek weighted affordability as the most important factor. Health insurance plans that feature a low monthly premium cost typically have higher out-of-pocket costs. These plans may still be cheaper for individuals who do not expect to use medical services regularly.

We reviewed data from five Silver POS and 20 Silver PPO plans to provide recommendations for the most affordable health insurance providers in Arkansas.

If you're focused soley on cost, MoneyGeek also determined the cheapest health insurance in Arkansas.

Ambetter offers the best health insurance in Arkansas to low-income individuals. The insurer received a MoneyGeek score of 72 out of 100 for its affordability, plan offerings and low out-of-pocket costs.

To find the best insurers for low-income policyholders, our review only took into account those that offered cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) and featured lower monthly premiums. These were 25 in number, including five Silver POS plans and 20 Silver PPO plans.

Typically, policies with CSRs have lower deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for individuals whose income falls within a certain bracket of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), allowing you to get health insurance for a lower average monthly and yearly cost. While a standard Silver plan covers about 70% of health care costs, a CSR will cover more depending on your income. In Arkansas, the following income brackets receive the corresponding coverage:

• Annual income between $27,180 and $33,975 (201%–250% of the FPL) qualifies for a plan that pays about 73% of health costs
• Annual income between $20,385 and $27,180 (151%–200% of the FPL) qualifies for a plan that pays about 87% of health costs
• Annual income below $20,385 (Up to 150% of the FPL) qualifies for a plan that pays about 94% of health costs

The income bracket changes significantly based on the number of people in a household.

Blue Cross Blue Shield is the best health insurance provider for young adults in Arkansas, with a perfect MoneyGeek score of 100 out of 100.

We analyzed Bronze and Catastrophic plans across various providers to establish the best companies in this category since these plans feature the lowest monthly costs and highest out-of-pocket maximums. Catastrophic plans are only available to buyers under age 30.

Specifically, we evaluated the following plan types in Arkansas:

• Bronze: three PPO plans
• Expanded Bronze: two POS and eight PPO plans

Plan types typically differ across each health insurance company. The best overall health insurance providers for each plan type in Arkansas are:

• POS: Health Advantage (MoneyGeek score: 60 out of 100)
• PPO: Ambetter (MoneyGeek score: 60 out of 100)

For this category, we only evaluated Silver plans since they provide the best combination of cost and health insurance coverage for the majority of individuals.

Arkansas has five Silver POS and 20 Silver PPO plans available.

MoneyGeek’s study found that National General Accident & Health provides the best short-term health insurance in Arkansas, scoring 95 out of 100. Short-term health insurance plans provide temporary coverage and do not include vital health benefits as required by the Affordable Care Act.

The best health insurance in Arkansas varies based on individual needs and budget. To get the best health insurance plan for you, consider how much you’re willing to spend each month to avoid paying more out of pocket for care.

If you are 65 or older or have a qualifying illness or disability, you may qualify for Medicare, a government health insurance program intended to finance part of your medical costs. Medicare comprises three types of coverage:

• Part A (Hospital Insurance): This covers the cost of inpatient hospital and nursing facility stays, home health care services and hospice care.
• Part B (Medical Insurance): This is the medical insurance component of Medicare. It covers the cost of outpatient services, including preventative care and doctor’s appointments.
• Part D (Prescription Drugs Coverage): A prescription coverage component that pays the cost of prescriptions.

We scored the best Medicare Supplement and best Medicare Advantage plans in Arkansas to help consumers select the right option.

Residents with earnings below 138% of the federal poverty level may also apply for Medicaid, a government-funded program for low-income earners. You may also qualify for Medicaid if you're pregnant, responsible for a child 17 years and below or have a member in your household with a disability.

It’s common to have questions about cost and availability when choosing a health insurance provider and plan. We answered the most frequently asked questions about health insurance plans in Arkansas.