Best Health InsuranceDelawareBest Delaware Health Insurance (2023 Plans)
Compare Rates
Ensure you're getting the best rate. Review quotes from a top insurance company.
Best Health InsuranceDelawareBest Health Insurance in Delaware
Best Overall in Delaware - Aetna Medicare
Best for Low MOOP - AmeriHealth
Best Cheap - Aetna Medicare
Best for Low Income - Aetna Medicare
Best for Young Adults - Aetna Medicare
Best for HMO - Aetna Medicare
Best for PPO - Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Best Short-Term Health Insurance - UnitedHealthcare
Best Overall for Health Insurance in Delaware
Based on our study, Aetna is the best health insurance provider overall in Delaware, earning a MoneyGeek score of 88 out of 100. It received perfect marks on the affordability of its monthly rates as well as for having low MOOP and denial rates.
We analyzed data from five Silver HMO plans and three PPO plans to determine our top pick for this category.
MoneyGeek Pick: Aetna
pros
Has the lowest premiums out of its competitors
Denies fewer claims compared to most insurers
Has the lowest maximum-out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs out of three competitors
cons
Offers fewer plan types
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Aetna is MoneyGeek’s top pick for the best overall health insurance provider in Delaware for 2023. It offers four Silver plans at an average monthly premium of $561, with an $8,825 MOOP.
We found that Aetna’s average denial rate is 0%, which means that most insurance claims are approved. You’ll have little trouble getting all eligible health care services that you receive covered by this insurer.
All of the plans we evaluated are Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans. HMOs are among the most budget-friendly plans. However, the trade-off is that you’ll need to stay within your provider’s network of physicians, facilities and hospitals to be covered.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following Silver plans from Aetna:
- Silver 2 (Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7): approximately $576 per month; MOOP $8,700
- Silver 3 (Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7): approximately $549 per month; MOOP $8,850
- Silver S (Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7): approximately $542 per month; MOOP $8,900
Best Health Insurance in Delaware for Low Out-of-Pocket Costs
AmeriHealth is the best health insurance provider for low out-of-pocket costs, receiving a total MoneyGeek score of 58 out of 100. It outperforms its competitors by having the cheapest premiums and the lowest denial rate. However, it has higher-than-average MOOP costs and offers limited plan options.
Our analysis for this category included data from three Gold HMO plans and six Gold PPO plans, as well as three Platinum PPO plans.
MoneyGeek Pick: AmeriHealth
pros
Rated well for claims management
Has the cheapest monthly premiums
cons
Offers limited options for health plan types
Has the highest MOOP cost
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
AmeriHealth offers one Gold HMO plan at an average premium of $541 per month, with an $8,700 MOOP. Compared to similar-tiered plans offered by other providers, AmeriHealth’s Gold plan’s monthly premium is the cheapest option. But the trade-off is it also has the highest MOOP. AmeriHealth also rarely denies policyholder claims, which is a noteworthy advantage.
Another downside that you need to consider is that this insurer only offers one Gold plan and one Gold plan type. This might be a dealbreaker if you prefer to have lots of options. AmeriHealth’s Gold plan is an HMO. This is a good choice if you’re willing to trade the flexibility in selecting your health care provider in exchange for having cheaper monthly premiums. However, if you already have a preferred specialist or facility, you’ll have to make sure they are within AmeriHealth’s network to be covered.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends this low-MOOP health plan from AmeriHealth:
- AmeriHealth Caritas Next Gold + Free Telemedicine + Free Preventive Care + Healthy Rewards: approximately $541 per month; MOOP $8,700
Best Cheap Health Insurance in Delaware
Aetna is the best provider of cheap health insurance in Delaware, with an impressive MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100.
To arrive at this recommendation, we evaluated plans with low monthly premiums. Keep in mind that plans with lower premiums typically have higher out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim. Getting a low-premium health plan is worth reconsidering if you anticipate needing a lot of medical care.
For this category, we analyzed five Silver HMO plans and three Silver PPO plans to identify the most affordable company and plan recommendations.
If you're focused soley on cost, MoneyGeek also determined the cheapest health insurance in Delaware.
MoneyGeek Pick: Aetna
pros
Has the best maximum-out-of-pocket (MOOP) score out of three competitors
Offers the most affordable premiums
Has the lowest claim denial rate
cons
Has limited options for health plan types
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Aetna is our pick for the best cheap health insurance provider. This insurer offers four Silver plans at an average monthly premium of $561, with a MOOP averaging $8,825.
Aetna’s average denial rate of 0% means that most insurance claims are approved, so your eligible health care services will most likely be covered by this insurer.
The four Aetna Silver plans we evaluated were all Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans. These are the most common plans and are popular because they tend to be the cheapest. However, with an HMO plan, you’ll have to stay within your provider’s network of physicians, facilities and hospitals to be covered.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends these affordable Silver plans from Aetna:
- Silver S (Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7): approximately $542 per month; MOOP $8,900
- Silver 3 (Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7): approximately $549 per month; MOOP $8,850
- Silver 2 (Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7): approximately $576 per month; MOOP $8,700
Best Health Insurance for Low Income in Delaware
With a MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100, Aetna is the best health insurance for Delaware residents in a low-income bracket.
Our analysis only included health insurance providers that offer plans with low monthly premiums and cost-sharing reductions (CSRs). This included five Silver HMO and three Silver PPO plans.
CSRs can lower your MOOP and deductible, which can help you avoid the usual trade-off between lower premiums and higher out-of-pocket costs. Generally, a standard Silver plan covers around 70% of health care costs. With cost-sharing, CSR Silver plans can cover 73% to 94% of costs. To qualify, your income must fall below 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
These are the income brackets and their coverage rates in Delaware:
- An annual income between $27,180 and $33,975 (201% to 250% of the FPL) gets 73% of health insurance costs covered.
- An annual income between $20,385 to $27,180 (151% to 200% of the FPL) gets 87% of costs covered.
- An annual income of less than $20,385 per year (up to 150% of the FPL) gets 94% of costs covered.
These income brackets shift depending on the number of people in your home.
MoneyGeek Pick: Aetna
pros
Most affordable premiums for those with low income
Excellent provider for claims management, with a low denial rate
cons
Has above-average MOOP
Offers limited options for plan types
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Aetna is the best insurance provider for residents in Delaware with low income or limited resources. Its low-income health plans for those in the 201% to 250% FPL bracket cost an average of $561 per month with a $7,175 MOOP. Its claims acceptance record is also remarkable at 0%, which means that virtually all policyholders who file a claim get approved.
Aetna offers four Silver HMO plans with cost-sharing reductions.
Plan Recommendations
Aetna’s Silver S plan came out on top as the best low-income health insurance plan in Delaware. For the same premium, those in lower income brackets can purchase a plan with lower overall out-of-pocket costs:
- 201% to 250% of the FPL: $542 per month; MOOP $7,200
- 151% to 200% of the FPL: $542 per month; MOOP $3,000
- Up to 150% of the FPL: $542 per month; MOOP $1,800
Best Health Insurance for Young Adults in Delaware
Aetna is the best health insurance for young adults, scoring 88 out of 100 in MoneyGeek’s system.
To determine the winner for this category, we analyzed insurance providers that sell Bronze or Catastrophic plans. These generally have the cheapest premiums but also have the highest out-of-pocket costs. Only those aged 30 and under can buy a Catastrophic plan.
For our analysis, we rated the following plan tiers and types:
- Bronze: One HMO plan and one PPO plan
- Expanded Bronze: Four HMO plans and three PPO plans
- Catastrophic: One PPO plan
MoneyGeek Pick: Aetna
pros
Has the lowest denial rate, outperforming two other providers in this category
Offers the lowest monthly premiums
Has the lowest average MOOP cost out of the other researched providers
cons
Provides limited plan options
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Aetna provides the best health insurance plans for young adults at an average premium of $330 per month and with an $8,400 MOOP. This insurer has three Expanded Bronze HMO plans. Its claims denial rate is 0%, which means that it usually upholds insurance claims.
Your coverage is dictated by your plan’s metal level. With an Expanded Bronze plan, you’ll pay premiums that are as affordable as the typical Bronze plan, but you’ll also enjoy some additional perks that can help you get huge savings. For example, an Expanded Bronze plan is required to cover at least one major essential health benefit before you reach your deductible.
Plan Recommendations
We’ve listed Aetna’s best health plans for young adults below:
- Bronze (Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + Low-cost MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7): approximately $303.38 per month for 18-year-olds and $340.26 per month for 26-year-olds; MOOP $7,100
- Bronze (Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7): approximately $288.03 per month for 18-year-olds and $323.05 per month for 26-year-olds; MOOP $9,100
- Bronze S (Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7): approximately $292.39 per month for 18-year-olds and $327.93 per month for 26-year-olds; MOOP $9,000
Best Health Insurance by Plan Type in Delaware
Health insurance providers tend to vary in the plan types that they offer. These are our recommendations for the best health plans per plan type in Delaware:
- HMO: Aetna (MoneyGeek score: 100 out of 100)
- PPO: Highmark (BCBS) (MoneyGeek score: 100 out of 100)
These recommendations are based on our analysis of Silver plans. We limited our study to only this metal tier since it provides the best balance between costs and coverage. This makes Silver plans an ideal option for the average health insurance buyer.
Our analysis included five Silver HMO plans and three Silver PPO plans.
MoneyGeek Pick for PPO: Aetna
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Aetna offers four Silver HMO plans at an average premium of $561 per month and with an $8,825 MOOP. This provider has the lowest claims denial rate, the cheapest plans and the lowest MOOP cost.
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans are the most common plan type and are generally cheaper than other plan types. However, you are restricted to your specified provider network (except during an emergency), and you’ll need a referral to see a specialist. An HMO can be a solid option if in-network providers are easily available to you.
Plan Recommendations
We recommend these Silver-tier HMO plans from Aetna:
- Silver 2 (Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7): approximately $576 per month; MOOP $8,700
- Silver 3 (Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7): approximately $549 per month; MOOP $8,850
MoneyGeek Pick for PPO: Highmark
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) sells three Silver PPO plans at an average monthly premium of $566, with a MOOP averaging $8,967. This insurer rarely denies health insurance claims.
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans are the second most common plan type after HMOs. These typically have higher premiums than HMOs, but you’ll enjoy having a wider network and won’t need referrals to see specialists. This is a great option if you want flexibility and don’t mind paying a few extra dollars for it.
Plan Recommendations
Consider these Silver PPO plans from Highmark (BCBS):
- my Blue Access PPO Standard Silver 5800: approximately $556 per month; MOOP $8,900
- my Blue Access PPO Standard Silver 5800 + Adult Dental and Vision: approximately $588 per month; MOOP $8,900
Best Short-Term Health Insurance in Delaware
With a total MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100, UnitedHealthcare ranks as the best short-term health insurance provider in Delaware.
Short-term health insurance isn’t a permanent replacement for standard health insurance. These plans aren’t required to comply with the Affordable Care Act, so most of them fail to cover essential health benefits.
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is MoneyGeek’s top pick for its affordability and flexibility in contract terms ranging from three months to three years. It also offers the widest variety of short-term plan types and plan options. You can also choose your deductible anywhere from $1,000 to $15,000. Most of UnitedHealthcare’s low-cost health plans already include generic prescription drug coverage.
How to Find the Best Health Insurance for You in Delaware
Choosing the best health insurance is a balancing act. You must weigh your health care needs against how much you can afford to pay in terms of monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Here’s MoneyGeek’s advice when shopping for health insurance.
Understand when a health insurance plan will cover you
It is important for you to purchase a plan that is suited to your coverage preferences and needs.
In Delaware, you have the choice between five Silver HMO and three Silver PPO plans. If you choose an HMO plan, your coverage will be restricted to care within your provider’s network of physicians, hospitals and facilities, but you’ll pay less. A PPO plan offers greater flexibility with covered access to out-of-network care.
Weigh the cost of premiums vs. the cost of care
Plans that charge lower monthly premiums typically have higher out-of-pocket costs. For instance, Aetna’s Silver S plan has the cheapest monthly premium at only $542, but its out-of-pocket maximum is $8,900. While this rate is fairly low, you might be able to get a better MOOP for a higher monthly premium.
Consider Delaware Medicare or Medicaid if You’re Eligible
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for adults who are 65 years of age or older. Younger individuals who have a qualifying disability or illness may also be eligible.
This program subsidizes health care services and has three components:
- Part A (Hospital Insurance): Covers inpatient hospital stays, hospice care, care in a nursing facility and some home health care.
- Part B (Medical Insurance): Covers outpatient care, preventive services, doctor’s visits and medical supplies.
- Part D (Prescription drug coverage): Helps cover the cost of prescribed medication, including recommended vaccines.
We’ve also outlined the best Medicare Advantage and best Medicare Supplement plans in Delaware to help you find the right plan that matches your needs.
Medicaid is another federal program that provides health coverage for eligible individuals with income below the state-specified threshold. In Delaware, you may qualify for Medicaid if your household income is at or below 100% of the current Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for your household size. Elderly adults, pregnant women, children and those with disabilities may also qualify for Medicaid.
Frequently Asked Questions About Health Insurance in Delaware
When shopping for health insurance plans, most buyers have concerns about costs and availability. Here are MoneyGeek’s answers to some of the questions that you may have.
About Brenna Kelly, Licensed Health Insurance Agent
sources
- Delaware.gov. "Frequently Asked Questions About Medicaid and Medical Assistance." Accessed December 29, 2022.
- Medicaid.gov. "Medicaid." Accessed December 29, 2022.