CheapestHealth InsuranceKansasCheapest Health Insurance in Kansas (2024 Plans)
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By , Content Director
Updated: Dec 1, 2023
Health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs vary by metal tier. In Kansas, Medica offers the lowest Bronze plan, Oscar has the cheapest Catastrophic plan, while Aetna leads with affordable Expanded Bronze, Gold and Silver plans.
If you are looking to balance monthly premiums with quality claims and coverage, MoneyGeek also analyzed the best health insurance in Kansas.
CheapestHealth InsuranceKansasMost Affordable Health Insurance in Kansas
Cheapest Silver Plan - Aetna Medicare
Cheapest Gold Plan - Aetna Medicare
Cheapest Bronze Plan - MEDICA
Cheapest Expanded Bronze Plan - Aetna Medicare
Cheapest Catastrophic Plan - Oscar
Cheapest Health Insurance in Kansas by Metal Tier
The Silver 5 plan by Aetna stands out as the most affordable option in the popular Silver tier, costing $473 monthly in Kansas. Notably, the Silver tier is often sought after for its balance of costs and coverage. Those eager to decrease their monthly expenses, albeit with higher potential out-of-pocket costs, might consider Bronze plans.
Health insurance costs differ across metal tiers, with the choice often reflecting a balance between monthly premium expenses and the cost-sharing responsibilities when seeking medical care.
Here are the most affordable health insurance plans from each metal tier:
- Catastrophic: Secure by Oscar ($317 per month) (Note: Only individuals under 30 or those with certain exemptions qualify for this plan.)
- Bronze: Select by Medica Bronze Standard ($418 per month)
- Expanded Bronze: Bronze 2 HSA by Aetna ($355 per month)
- Silver: Silver 5 by Aetna ($473 per month)
- Gold: Gold 3 by Aetna ($516 per month)
For more details, you can explore cheap health insurance options to meet a variety of needs and budgets.
WHAT ARE METAL TIERS?
In the Kansas health insurance marketplace, consumers can choose from various metal tiers: Bronze, Catastrophic, Expanded Bronze, Gold and Silver. Each tier represents a different level of coverage and cost, allowing individuals to select a plan that best suits their needs.
Bronze plans typically have the lowest monthly premium but the highest out-of-pocket expenses when accessing care. Gold plan has a higher monthly premium but lower out-of-pocket costs when receiving medical care.
For individuals below 250% of the Federal Poverty Line, there is an opportunity to receive cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) when they enroll in a Silver plan. CSRs lower the amount you have to pay for deductibles, copayments and co-insurance, making healthcare more affordable and accessible.
Cheapest Silver Plans in Kansas
Kansas residents looking for a valuable balance of cost and coverage in their health insurance can find the Silver 5 plan as the most affordable option. Offered by Aetna, it comes at a monthly cost of $473.
The three most affordable Silver health plans available in Kansas are:
- Silver 5 from Aetna ($473 per month)
- Silver S from Aetna ($474 per month)
- Silver Classic Standard from Oscar ($479 per month)
Silver plans are well-suited for individuals who anticipate moderate health care needs and desire a balance between monthly premium costs and out-of-pocket expenses. Those who qualify for cost-sharing reductions can benefit from lower copays, co-insurance and deductibles, making health care more accessible and affordable. Eligibility for these reductions is based on income and can significantly decrease the total costs of health care for those enrolled in Silver plans.
Cheapest Gold Plans in Kansas
The most affordable Gold tier health plan in Kansas is the Gold 3: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 CVS Health Virtual Care 24/7 by Aetna, with a monthly cost of $516.
Exploring the top three budget-friendly Gold plans, costs are as follows:
- Gold 3: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 CVS Health Virtual Care 24/7 from Aetna ($516 per month)
- Gold S: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 CVS Health Virtual Care 24/7 from Aetna ($519 per month)
- Gold Classic Standard from Oscar ($544 per month)
Gold plans are ideal for customers who expect frequent medical attention as they offer lower out-of-pocket costs when accessing health care services. Gold plans typically have higher monthly premiums but lower copays and deductibles. These plans are well-suited for individuals who want more comprehensive coverage and willing to pay a bit more each month to minimize point-of-service expenses.
Cheapest Bronze Plans in Kansas
The Select by Medica Bronze Standard is the only Bronze-tier health insurance plan available in Kansas, offered by Medica at a monthly cost of $418.
Bronze plans, like the Select by Medica Bronze Standard, are designed for individuals who want to keep their monthly premiums low and are generally in good health. These plans typically come with higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, which means they are best for those who do not expect frequent medical care. For someone comfortable with the trade-off of lower premiums for higher potential costs when accessing medical services, Bronze plans can be a prudent choice.
Cheapest Expanded Bronze Plans in Kansas
The most affordable option in the Expanded Bronze tier for Kansas residents is the Bronze 2 HSA, offered by Aetna, with a monthly cost of $355.
The top three most affordable Expanded Bronze plans in Kansas are:
- Bronze 2 HSA from Aetna ($355 per month)
- Ascension Personalized Care Balanced Bronze from US HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY ($361 per month)
- Bronze S from Aetna ($362 per month)
Expanded Bronze plans are designed for customers who want to balance monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. These plans typically offer lower monthly premiums than more comprehensive plans but come with higher out-of-pocket costs when accessing medical services. They are a good choice for individuals who want protection from very high costs but are generally healthy and do not expect frequent medical care.
Cheapest Catastrophic Plans in Kansas
The most affordable Catastrophic tier plan in Kansas is the Secure plan offered by Oscar, with a low monthly cost of $254.
Following are the three most economical Catastrophic health insurance plans available to Kansans:
- Secure from Oscar ($254 per month)
- Blue KC Catastrophic BlueSelect EPO from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($306 per month)
- Medica Connect Catastrophic from Medica ($331 per month)
Catastrophic plans are designed for customers 30 years old and younger who want to balance monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. These plans typically have lower monthly premiums than Gold or Silver plans but higher out-of-pocket costs. Therefore, these plans are not recommended for individuals anticipating frequent medical care.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Kansas for Those With Low Income
In Kansas, individuals with annual earnings up to 250% below the Federal Poverty Level qualify for cost-sharing reductions when enrolling in Silver plans, which help lower deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare.
The most affordable Silver plan for those with incomes ranging from $14,580 to $21,870 per year is the Silver 5: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 CVS Health Virtual Care 24/7 from Aetna, with a Maximum Out-of-Pocket cost of $1275.
The two most cost-effective Silver plans are:
- Silver 5: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 CVS Health Virtual Care 24/7 from Aetna ($473 per month; $1,275 MOOP)
- Silver S: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 CVS Health Virtual Care 24/7 from Aetna ($474 per month; $1,800 MOOP)
Cost-sharing reductions in Kansas are available exclusively when you purchase a Silver plan. The income figures mentioned apply to single individuals and will vary with household size.
WHAT IS A COST-SHARING REDUCTION?
Cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) are discounts that lower the amount you pay for deductibles, copayments and co-insurance on Silver health insurance plans. To qualify for CSRs, you must earn between 100% and 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. They directly affect the maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) expenses. For example, for the same Silver plan, with a 94% actuarial value (AV) level, the maximum out-of-pocket cost is $1,275, compared to $7,300 on a 73% AV.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Kansas by Plan Type
EPO plans are the most popular type in Kansas. The state also offers PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans for those seeking alternative options.
The most affordable EPO plan in Kansas is the Silver 5: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 CVS Health Virtual Care 24/7 from Aetna at a monthly cost of $473.
- EPO: Silver 5: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 CVS Health Virtual Care 24/7 from Aetna ($473 per month)
In Kansas, PPO plans cater to those seeking a more comprehensive selection of health care providers and specialists. These plans provide greater flexibility, allowing patients to seek care outside their network, though often at a higher cost.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PLAN TYPES?
The most common plan type in Kansas is the Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) plan. Other plan types available in the state include Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans and Point of Service (POS) plans.
Differences between the plan types:
Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO): An EPO plan generally requires members to use a network of providers. There are no coverage benefits if you go outside of this network except in an emergency. EPO plans often do not require a referral from a primary care physician to see a specialist, which provides members some flexibility when seeking specialty care.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): HMO plans typically have lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs but require members to choose a primary care physician (PCP) and get referrals to see specialists. Most HMOs only allow you to visit doctors, clinics and hospitals that are part of the HMO's network, with little to no coverage outside the network except in emergencies.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): PPO plans offer more flexibility in choosing health care providers and do not require referrals to see specialists, but premiums and out-of-pocket costs can be higher. Members receive the highest benefits when using in-network providers but are still covered, albeit at a lower rate, when they choose to go out-of-network without a referral.
Point of Service (POS): POS plans are a hybrid of HMO and PPO plans. They require a primary care physician to manage care and provide referrals to out-of-network specialists. While offering more flexibility than a traditional HMO, POS plans usually involve more paperwork and higher costs when you see out-of-network providers than in-network providers.
Remember that specific details and costs associated with each plan can vary based on multiple factors, including the insurer, the state's regulatory environment and the plan members' needs and medical history.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Kansas by County
Health insurance rates and availability of certain plans varies by county within Kansas.
Comparing the most affordable plans in the largest and smallest counties by population shows this variation:
- Johnson: Silver Classic Standard from Oscar ($457 per month)
- Greeley: UHC Silver Value from UnitedHealthcare ($550 per month)
The following table details all available plans in each county in Kansas.
Health Insurance Costs in Kansas by Age and Metal Tier
In Kansas, age matters a lot for health insurance rates. A Silver plan for 18-year-olds costs $417 monthly. But for a 60-year-old, it's much more at $1,240 monthly. That's a significant monthly increase of $823 more just because of age.
Metal tiers also affect how much you pay. For example, a 40-year-old with a Bronze plan pays $418 monthly. If they pick a Gold plan instead, its monthly cost is $623. That's $205 more for the Gold plan each month, which usually covers more medical expenses.
What to Know About Health Insurance in Kansas
MoneyGeek broke down the health insurance options available in Kansas. We explain private insurance from the marketplace, which comes in metal tiers like Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. We also cover Medicaid and Medicare options. Our goal is to help you understand your health care choices so you can make a good decision.
Private Health Insurance in the Kansas Marketplace
In Kansas, the open enrollment period for private health insurance typically runs from November 1 to December 15 each year. During this time, residents can shop for health insurance plans, compare options and enroll in coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. If you miss the enrollment deadline, you may have to wait until the next open enrollment period unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). An SEP can be triggered by specific life events such as marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, loss of other health coverage, or a move to a new coverage area.
Medicaid in Kansas
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health care assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families, ensuring access to essential medical services. In Kansas, eligibility criteria for Medicaid, known as KanCare, include factors like income, family size and disability status. Specifically, it covers children, pregnant women, seniors and individuals with disabilities who meet the program's financial requirements. Kansas has specific income limits that applicants must not exceed to qualify based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) percentage, and there are asset tests for some categories, like older adults. Eligibility is also extended to those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Medicare in Kansas
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for individuals 65 or older. However, it also covers certain younger people with disabilities and those with End-Stage Renal Disease or ALS. In Kansas, residents who meet these criteria are eligible for Medicare. The program is divided into parts: Part A (hospital insurance) covers in-patient hospital stays and care in nursing facilities; Part B (medical insurance) covers doctor's services and out-patient care; Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans) offers an alternative to Parts A and B with added benefits through private insurers; and Part D covers prescription drugs.
MoneyGeek researched and compiled lists about the best Medicare Advantage Plans in Kansas and the best Medicare Supplement plans in Kansas.
Kansas Health Insurance FAQ
You may have questions about cost and availability when looking for health insurance. MoneyGeek responded to frequently asked questions about cheap private health insurance in Kansas to help you learn more.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
sources
- HealthCare.gov. "Federal Poverty Level (FPL)." Accessed January 13, 2023.
- HealthCare.gov. "How to Pick a Health Insurance Plan." Accessed January 13, 2023.
- HealthCare.gov. "Special Enrollment Period (SEP)." Accessed January 13, 2023.