Understanding Idaho Health Insurance

As one of the fastest-growing states in the country, Idaho has seen a significant increase in the number of residents in need of quality healthcare. With that in mind, it’s important to know and understand what options are available when it comes to Idaho health insurance.

What is Health Insurance?

Health insurance is a type of insurance coverage that pays for your medical and surgical expenses. Health insurance can either reimburse you for the expenses of your medical care or pay your healthcare provider directly.

Idaho health insurance offers several benefits including:

  • Coverage for hospitalization
  • Coverage for prescription medications
  • Coverage for doctor visits
  • Coverage for specialist visits
  • Coverage for preventative care

Types of Health Insurance in Idaho

There are a number of different types of Idaho health insurance plans available to residents:

Individual Health Insurance

Individual health insurance is a policy you purchase yourself. This type of insurance provides coverage for you and your family members, depending on the plan and premiums paid.

Individual health insurance plans are purchased through insurance marketplaces or directly from the insurance company. In Idaho, the state’s health insurance marketplace is Your Health Idaho.

Small Business Health Insurance

Small business health insurance is a type of coverage provided to employees of small businesses. Small business health insurance allows employees to obtain coverage for their medical needs while also protecting the employer from financial loss.

In Idaho, businesses with 50 or fewer employees are considered small businesses and are eligible for small business health insurance.

Medicare and Medicaid

Medicare is a federal healthcare program for those over the age of 65 or those with certain disabilities. Medicaid is a joint federal-state healthcare program for low-income individuals and families.

Both Medicare and Medicaid are available in Idaho and offer a variety of benefits and options for those who qualify.

Idaho Health Insurance Companies

There are several Idaho health insurance companies that offer coverage to Idaho residents. These companies include:

Idaho Health Insurance Company
Plan Types Offered
Blue Cross of Idaho
Individual, small business, Medicare, Medicaid
PacificSource Health Plans
Individual, small business, Medicare, Medicaid
Regence BlueShield of Idaho
Individual, small business, Medicare, Medicaid
SelectHealth
Individual, small business

FAQs

What is the Affordable Care Act?

The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, is a federal law that was enacted in 2010 with the goal of making healthcare more affordable and accessible to Americans. The Affordable Care Act requires all individuals to have health insurance or pay a penalty, provides subsidies to those who cannot afford insurance, and mandates that insurance companies cannot deny coverage for pre-existing conditions.

What is a deductible?

A deductible is the amount of money you must pay out-of-pocket for healthcare expenses before your insurance coverage kicks in. For example, if your policy has a $1,000 deductible and you incur $5,000 in medical bills, you will be responsible for paying the first $1,000.

What is a copay?

A copay is a fixed amount you pay for a covered healthcare service. Copays are typically paid at the time of service and vary depending on the type of service you receive.

What is coinsurance?

Coinsurance is the percentage of a covered healthcare service that you are responsible for paying after you meet your deductible. For example, if your policy has a 20% coinsurance for a medical service that costs $100, you will pay $20 and your insurance company will pay $80.

What is a premium?

A premium is the amount you pay each month to maintain your health insurance coverage. Premiums can vary depending on your plan, coverage, and other factors.

What is an out-of-pocket maximum?

The out-of-pocket maximum is the maximum amount of money you will have to pay each year for medical expenses under your insurance plan. Once you reach your out-of-pocket maximum, your insurance will cover all further medical expenses for the remainder of the year.

Conclusion

Choosing the right Idaho health insurance plan can be a daunting task, but doing your research and understanding the different types of plans and coverage options available can help you make an informed decision. Remember to shop around for the best premiums and always read the fine print before making a decision.