Best Arkansas Health Insurance (2024 Plans)


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Updated: May 22, 2024

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MoneyGeek Logo IconBest Health InsuranceArkansas
2024

Best Health Insurance in Arkansas

Why Trust MoneyGeek? We downloaded plan data for Arkansas directly from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). MoneyGeek’s scoring methodology balances costs, claims approval and plan types to find the best providers in the state.

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Plan data was updated with the CMS exchange data released in October 2023 for the 2024 enrollment period.

52Plans Analyzed
 
8Providers Compared

Overall Best Health Insurance in Arkansas

Octave has a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100, earning the top spot for Arkansas's best health insurance provider. Octave has good plan options that are more affordable, and they keep out-of-pocket costs low for people. It also rarely denies health care services claims compared to other competitors.

For our review, we looked at 25 Silver plans in Arkansas, including POS and PPO plan types.

MoneyGeek Pick: Octave

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Very few claims denied

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Low out-of-pocket maximum

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Affordable premium rates

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Wide range of plan types

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Arkansas is Octave. The provider offers two Silver POS plans with an average monthly rate of $474. The average MOOP cost for these plans is $7,625.

Octave's Silver POS plans provide more out-of-network coverage. It offers an average plan rate of $454, and the average MOOP cost for these plans is $7,625. Octave has a denial rate of 0%, far better than most of the competition.

MoneyGeek recommends the following Silver plans from Octave:

  • Octave Silver AH: $474 per month; MOOP $6,150
  • Octave Silver Standardized: $435 per month; MOOP $9,100

Best Health Insurance in Arkansas for Low Out-of-Pocket Costs

Ambetter, with a MoneyGeek score of 74, provides the best health insurance in Arkansas for low out-of-pocket costs. This provider has affordable plan options, low out-of-pocket costs and a better-than-average history of approving claims.

For this analysis, we looked at four Gold POS and nine Gold PPO plans in Arkansas.

MoneyGeek Pick: Ambetter

Ambetter

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High rating score indicating affordable premiums

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Low maximum out-of-pocket costs

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Very few claims denied

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Diverse range of plan options

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Arkansas for low out-of-pocket costs is Ambetter. It offers eight Gold PPO plans and two Gold POS plans, suitable for lower maximum out-of-pocket expenses. These PPO and POS plans often have more out-of-network coverage, giving you more choices for doctors and hospitals. Ambetter has an average plan rate of $547, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $7,580. The insurer has a denial rate of 15%, lower than most of its competitors.

MoneyGeek recommends the following Gold and Platinum plans:

  • Everyday Gold: $509 per month; MOOP $7,500
  • Elite Gold (QualChoiceLife): $615 per month; MOOP $5,500
  • Everyday Gold + Vision + Adult Dental: $531 per month; MOOP $7,500

Best Cheap Health Insurance in Arkansas

Octave is the best provider for cheap health insurance in Arkansas, earning a score of 92 out of 100. Octave offers plans with low rates and lower-than-average out-of-pocket expenses. It also denies fewer claims than most other providers.

For this analysis, MoneyGeek assessed 25 Silver plans in Arkansas, including seven Silver POS and 18 Silver PPO plans. In determining the best cheap provider, plans with lower monthly premiums were prioritized, although lower premiums usually mean higher out-of-pocket costs.

MoneyGeek Pick: Octave

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Low maximum out-of-pocket costs

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Very few claims denied

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Diverse plan options available

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's top pick for the best cheap health insurance in Arkansas is Octave. It provides two Silver plans for people looking to save money on health care. The Silver plans offered by Octave are POS plans. POS health plans may include more options to see doctors and hospitals outside the network. Octave offers an average plan rate of $454, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $7,625.

Octave has a 0% denial rate, the lowest in the competition. MoneyGeek recommends the following cheap Silver plans:

  • Octave Silver Standardized: $435 per month; MOOP $9,100
  • Octave Silver AH: $474 per month; MOOP $6,150

Best Health Insurance for Low Income in Arkansas

Octave has the best health insurance in Arkansas for those with low income, scoring 92 out of 100. This provider offers plans with lower rates and low out-of-pocket costs on top of denying fewer claims than other providers in the competition.

We looked at 25 Silver CSR plans in Arkansas, including seven POS and 18 PPO plans.

MoneyGeek focused on Silver CSR plans that help save money on monthly costs. These plans come with cost-sharing reductions if you earn less money, which means you don't have to pay as much when you get medical care. A normal Silver plan would pay for about 70% of your health care costs, but with a Silver CSR plan, you can get more of your costs covered if you make less money. Here's what you could expect:

  • If you earn between $27,180 and $33,975 per year, your plan could cover about 73% of your health care costs.
  • If you make between $20,385 and $27,180 per year, your plan could cover about 87% of your costs.
  • If you make less than $20,385 per year, your plan could cover about 94% of your costs.

These percentages could differ if you have more or fewer people in your family.

MoneyGeek Pick: Octave

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Low premium rates

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Low maximum out-of-pocket costs

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Frequent claim approvals

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Limited plan offerings

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Arkansas for those with low income is Octave. The provider offers cost-effective plans for people earning below 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Octave has two Silver CSR plans with an average rate of $454 per month. The average MOOP cost for these plans is $6,213.

The provider does not offer PPO or POS plans, often including more out-of-network coverage. However, EPO plans, which Octave provides, typically have lower monthly costs. The company's denial rate is 0%, which means the company approves claims more frequently than other providers.

Plan Recommendations

Octave's top-rated plan offers lower out-of-pocket expenses for the same premium for people in different income brackets. Here are some of the lower overall out-of-pocket costs based on income levels:

  • 201–250% of the FPL: $435 per month; $7,200 MOOP
  • 151–200% of the FPL: $435 per month; $3,000 MOOP
  • Up to 150% of the FPL: $435 per month; $1,800 MOOP

Best Health Insurance for Young Adults in Arkansas

With a MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100, Octave provides the best health insurance for young adults in Arkansas. Octave has plans with lower out-of-pocket costs and better-than-average claims approval rates. Only people who are below 30 years old can sign up for Catastrophic coverage.

We checked out six Expanded Bronze POS plans and eight Expanded Bronze PPO plans for this review.

MoneyGeek Pick: Octave

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Few claims denied

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Low out-of-pocket costs

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Offers fewer plan types

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Octave is MoneyGeek's top pick for Arkansas's best health insurance for young adults. It offers two Expanded Bronze plans. It also provides an average plan rate of $318, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $9,100.

Octave only offers PPO and POS plans. POS plans can still give you a choice of doctors and some out-of-network coverage. The company's denial rate is 0%, lower than most of the competition.

MoneyGeek recommends the following plans for young adults:

  • Octave Bronze Value: $299 per month for 18-year-olds and $336 per month for 26-year-olds; MOOP $8,800
  • Octave Bronze Exp Standardized: $267 per month for 18-year-olds and $300 per month for 26-year-olds; MOOP $9,400

Best Health Insurance by Plan Type in Arkansas

Health insurance companies provide different plans. In Arkansas, the best providers for all plan types available are:

  • PPO: Ambetter (MoneyGeek score: 60 out of 100)
  • POS: Octave (MoneyGeek score: 94 out of 100)

These recommendations were based on Silver plans. Silver plans are often chosen because they help balance what you pay every month when you visit the doctor. These plans work well for people who see the doctor not so often.

Arkansas has 18 Silver PPO plans and seven Silver POS plans for someone to choose from.

MoneyGeek Pick for PPO: Ambetter

Ambetter
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Arkansas for Silver PPO plans is Ambetter. This provider offers thirteen Silver PPO plans. It has an average plan rate of $448, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $8,742. Ambetter has a denial rate of 15%, which means the company denies fewer claims than average.

PPO plans like the Silver ones from Ambetter let you choose your doctors without needing a referral for specialists. PPO plans are pretty common in Arkansas. But these plans can cost more than other types, so it's important to consider that if you're trying to save money.

We suggest the following Silver PPO plans from Ambetter:

  • Focused Silver: $433 per month; MOOP $8,000
  • Focused Silver + Vision + Adult Dental: $452 per month; MOOP $8,000

Best Short-Term Health Insurance in Arkansas

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.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick: National General Accident & Health
National General Accident & Health

National General Accident & Health stands out because it offers a wide range of plan options to accommodate various health care demands. For high-risk patients, the company offers plans with modest co-insurance and out-of-pocket expenses. Plans can have durations of three months to three years and offer several options for cost-sharing and prescription drug coverage.

How to Find the Best Health Insurance for You in Arkansas

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.

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    Understand when a health insurance plan will cover you

    Health insurance helps pay medical bills. Some doctors are in-network, which means they have a deal with your insurance. It costs less to see these doctors. Out-of-network doctors do not have a special deal and usually cost more. Different plans handle out-of-network doctors differently.

    Some plans let you see any doctor, but it might cost more. Other plans limit the doctors you can pick and cost less. In Arkansas, these plans have names and rules for seeing doctors inside or outside the network.

    In Arkansas, there are 18 PPO plans. PPO plans provide more choices for seeing different doctors. Aside from PPO plans, there are also seven POS plans. These plans have their own rules and options.

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    Weigh the cost of premiums vs. the cost of care

    When looking for health insurance, you want a plan that fits your needs. You have to think about how much you pay each month and how much you could pay for the whole year if you need a lot of care.

    Some plans might have affordable monthly costs, but the most you pay in a year could be significant. If you pay more each month, sometimes you don't have to pay as much for the year if you go to the doctor a lot.

    The Octave Silver AH plan has the cheapest maximum out-of-pocket cost at $6,150. It costs $474 each month. It is more costly than the Octave Silver Standardized plan, which has a monthly premium of $435. If you need to go to the doctor more often, the Octave Silver AH may save you money even with its higher monthly cost because it has a smaller MOOP than the Octave Silver Standardized plan with the $9,100 MOOP. A plan with low monthly fees and a low maximum out-of-pocket is perfect, especially if the doctors and hospitals included in the plan are great.

Consider Arkansas Medicare or Medicaid if You’re Eligible

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.

FAQ: Arkansas Health Insurance

Finding an ideal health insurance plan can be complicated due to concerns about price and availability. MoneyGeek answers some frequently asked questions to help you find better options.

What is the best health insurance provider in Arkansas for 2024?
What should you look for when shopping for the best health insurance plan in Arkansas?

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick has analyzed the property and casualty insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. Currently, he leads P&C insurance content production at MoneyGeek. Fitzpatrick has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.