Cheapest Health Insurance in Arizona (2024 Plans)

Health insurance costs generally differ according to metal tier. In Arizona, the most affordable health plans are offered by the following companies: Medica for Bronze, Oscar for Catastrophic, Blue Cross Blue Shield for Expanded Bronze and Silver and Ambetter for Gold.

If you're looking to balance affordable monthly premiums with quality and coverage, MoneyGeek also analyzed the best health insurance in Arizona.

Health insurance premiums are influenced by the plan's metal tier, with each tier representing a different balance between monthly costs and what you'll pay when you need care. Here are Arizona's most affordable health insurance plans from each metal tier:

• Catastrophic: Secure from Oscar ($208 per month)
• Bronze: Medica Pinnacle Bronze Standard from Medica ($338 per month)
• Expanded Bronze: Blue AdvanceHealth Bronze - PimaFocus Network from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($287 per month)
• Silver: Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - PimaFocus Network from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($347 per month)
• Gold: Standard Gold SELECT from Ambetter ($429 per month)

MoneyGeek also found national cheap health insurance options and broke down their benefits.

The most affordable Silver-tier health plan in Arizona is the Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - PimaFocus Network from Blue Cross Blue Shield at a monthly cost of $347.

The three most affordable Silver plans in Arizona are:

• Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - PimaFocus Network from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($347 per month)
• Blue ACA StandardHealth Silver with Health Choice from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($352 per month)
• Blue EverydayHealth Silver - PimaFocus Network from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($359 per month)

Silver plans are an excellent option for individuals who only need basic care, as they balance monthly premiums with out-of-pocket costs. For customers with lower incomes, cost sharing reductions (CSRs) can significantly decrease deductibles, copayments and co-insurance with Silver plans.

The cheapest Gold tier health plan in Arizona is the Standard Gold SELECT offered by Ambetter, with a monthly cost of $429.

The three most affordable Gold plans in Arizona are:

• Standard Gold SELECT from Ambetter ($429 per month)
• Blue AdvanceHealth Gold - PimaFocus Network from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($447 per month)
• Blue EverydayHealth Gold - PimaFocus Network from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($458 per month)

Gold plans are ideal for individuals who anticipate needing a significant amount of medical care, prescription medications, specialist visits or manage chronic conditions. They come with higher monthly premiums but offer lower out-of-pocket costs when accessing health care services.

The most affordable Bronze-tier health plan available in Arizona is the Medica Pinnacle Bronze Standard offered by Medica, with a monthly cost of $338.

Bronze plans are designed for individuals who desire protection from worst-case medical scenarios more than everyday health expenses. These plans typically have lower monthly premiums, but higher out-of-pocket costs when medical care is needed, making them suitable for those who are generally healthy and do not expect to require significant medical attention. They provide essential health benefits and ensure coverage for major medical emergencies.

The most affordable Expanded Bronze tier plan in Arizona is the Blue AdvanceHealth Bronze - PimaFocus Network offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield at a monthly cost of $287.

Introducing the three most cost-effective Expanded Bronze plans in Arizona:

• Blue AdvanceHealth Bronze - PimaFocus Network from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($287)
• Blue EverydayHealth Bronze - PimaFocus Network from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($306)
• Blue StandardHealth Bronze - PimaFocus Network from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($314)

Expanded Bronze plans are designed for customers who want lower monthly premiums and can handle higher out-of-pocket costs for healthcare services. These plans are beneficial for individuals who are generally healthy and do not expect to need frequent medical care but seek protection from the high cost of unexpected health issues or emergencies. Moreover, these plans cover essential health benefits while providing a safety net against significant medical expenses.

The most affordable Catastrophic plan in Arizona that we found is the Secure plan from Oscar, with a monthly cost of $208.

Expanded Bronze plans are ideal for those who don't anticipating needing extensive health care services and wish to keep their monthly expenses down. Customers who select these plans typically prefer lower premiums in exchange for higher out-of-pocket costs when accessing medical services.

Individuals in Arizona earning up to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level may qualify for cost-sharing reductions (CSRs). CSRs make health care more affordable by reducing out-of-pocket expenses. Note that CSRs are only available with Silver plans, and that income and household size will affect your eligibility.

The most affordable Silver plan for Arizonans with an income between $14,580 and $21,870 per year is the Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - PimaFocus Network offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield, with a maximum out-of-pocket cost of $600.

The maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs for the two cheapest low-income plans in Arizona are:

• Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - PimaFocus Network from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($347 per month; $600 MOOP)
• Blue ACA StandardHealth Silver with Health Choice from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($352 per month; $1,800 MOOP)

In Arizona, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans are the most popular for health care coverage. Residents searching for alternatives can also select from Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans.

The most affordable HMO health plan in Arizona is the Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - PimaFocus Network Silver plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield at $347 per month.

• HMO: Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - PimaFocus Network from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($347 per month)
• PPO: Blue PPO StandardHealth Silver - Statewide PPO Network from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($676 per month)

Although HMO plans often offer comprehensive coverage with lower out-of-pocket costs for in-network services, PPO plans provide the flexibility to see providers in and out of network, often without a referral. This flexibility is ideal for those who may need or prefer the ability to choose specialists or access care during travel—without the constraints of a provider network.

Premium rates and the availability of certain plans may vary by county. For example, the cheapest plan in the most populous Arizona county, Maricopa, is significantly less expensive than that in its least populous county, Greenlee:

• Maricopa: Blue ACA StandardHealth Silver with Health Choice from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($332 per month)
• Greenlee: Clear Silver from Ambetter ($493 per month)

The following table displays all available plans in each Arizona county, detailing their monthly costs, maximum out-of-pocket expenses and other key features.

Age plays a big role in how much you pay for health insurance in Arizona. For example, an 18-year-old with a Silver plan might pay about $430 every month. But a 60-year-old with that same Silver plan could pay around $1,277, $847 more.

Metal tiers also affect the price of your premium. A 40-year-old with a Bronze plan might pay $340 monthly. But if they choose a Gold plan, which offers more coverage, they'll pay around $759. That's $419 more each month, but it may save money in out-of-pocket costs over the course of the year.

MoneyGeek breaks down health insurance options in Arizona — including private marketplace insurance, Medicaid and Medicare — to guide you in choosing the right health care coverage for you and your family.

The open enrollment period for private health insurance typically starts on November 1 and ends on December 15 each year, during which individuals can purchase health insurance plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace. Coverage selected by December 15 generally begins on January 1 of the following year.

If you miss the enrollment deadline, you may only be able to get different marketplace coverage if you qualify for a special enrollment due to life events such as marriage, birth of a child or loss of other health coverage. Outside of these cases, you'll have to wait until the next open enrollment.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health care coverage to individuals and families with low income. Eligibility for Medicaid in Arizona, known as the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), is determined by several factors, including income level, household size, disability status and other state-specific criteria. Children, pregnant women, elderly adults and individuals with disabilities often have specific eligibility requirements tailored to their needs.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for people aged 65 or older, though it also covers younger individuals with specific disabilities or diseases. Medicare is divided into several parts:

• Part A covers hospital insurance, including inpatient care, hospice and limited home health services.
• Part B provides medical insurance, covering physician services, outpatient care and preventive services.
• Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is an alternative to Original Medicare that offers additional benefits through private insurance companies.
• Part D covers prescription drug benefits and is available through private plans.

MoneyGeek also researched and compiled lists about the best Medicare Advantage Plans in Arizona and the best Medicare Supplement plans in Arizona.

When looking for health insurance, you may have questions about cost and availability. MoneyGeek responded to frequently asked questions about cheap private health insurance in Arizona to help you learn more.