If you reside in Kentucky, you have a variety of health insurance policies to select from, but it is difficult to find affordable health insurance in Kentucky. In addition to receiving coverage through Medicare or Medicaid, you can enroll in a plan through your work. Additionally, you can get coverage directly from health insurance providers. More information about affordable health insurance options in Kentucky and eligibility for state aid programs is provided in this handbook.
Information on insurance in Kentucky
Plans from the marketplace: Residents of Kentucky can sign up for insurance through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. It would help if you enrolled through the exchange to qualify for the Advance Premium Tax Credit. If you are not interested in the Advanced Premium Tax Credit or do not qualify, you do not need to use the exchange.
Open enrollment: Every year, it starts on November 1st and runs until January 15th. If you miss this enrollment time and there is no special enrollment period, you will have to wait until the next year to enroll in health insurance.
Special enrollment: If you’ve recently moved, changed employment, are newly married, or had a kid, you may be eligible for a special enrollment time to sign up for or change plans.
Direct insurance: If you live in Kentucky, you can buy health insurance directly from an insurance provider. You can also obtain additional insurance if your employer-sponsored health plan doesn’t offer the required coverage.
Types of plans: Just under 3.9 percent of Kentuckians have non-group private health insurance in Kentucky, compared to about 47 percent who obtain health coverage via their jobs. 15.8 percent of residents are covered by Medicaid, while another 25.5 percent are beneficiaries of Medicare. The percentage of uninsured people in Kentucky is about 6.4%.
How can I sign up for the affordable health insurance exchange in Kentucky?
Since Kentucky doesn’t have its exchange, you can enroll through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace by going to HealthCare.gov. Before viewing the available health plans, you must register an account, which is an easy and quick procedure. Give your name, address, and phone number, choose a password, and then decide on your security questions. Keep in mind your security information and password.
The following details must be given for each person you include on your policy:
- Social Security numbers for each household member
- How many family members are listed as dependents on your federal income tax return
- Marital status
- Whether you require money assistance
- Your family’s monthly income
Healthcare.gov will automatically determine whether you qualify for Medicaid in Kentucky and financial help. Also displayed will be your eligibility for the Advanced Premium Tax Credit. After entering all this data, a list of available plans will be displayed. You may also compare plans with the tool available on the Healthcare.gov website. Following that, you choose a plan and finish the enrolling procedure.
Four companies in Kentucky provide inexpensive health insurance policies for purchase:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Anthem
- CareSource
- Molina
- WellCare
How can I sign up for individual and family insurance in Kentucky?
A comparable enrolling procedure applies for both individual and family coverage applications. Before choosing a plan, consider your medical requirements and those of everyone who will be covered. Think about the kind of plan, the recurring fees, and the anticipated out-of-pocket expenses.
Individual insurance in Kentucky
There are three different insurance policy options available in Kentucky, each with pros and drawbacks of its own:
- Plans offered by Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) can help you save money but often have limitations on where you can get medical care. You are limited to using the insurer’s network of providers and require a referral to see a specialist.
- Plans from Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) also offer a network of providers, but you have the option to pay more for care received outside the network. A referral is not necessary to see a specialist.
- Point-of-Service (POS) plans combine aspects of PPO and HMO insurance. You can obtain medical treatments outside the permitted provider network even though these plans have one. However, doing so will cost you extra money and require referrals to see specialists.
People have more choices while looking for insurance. If you’re in good health, you can reduce your monthly premium costs by selecting a plan with a higher deductible and coinsurance requirement.
Kentucky families’ insurance
It would help to consider your overall out-of-pocket costs, including premiums, copayments, and deductibles while deciding on family coverage. If any family member in your home has a chronic ailment, choose higher rates and a smaller deductible. Also, consider the best health insurance plan in Kentucky that satisfies your needs. If you’re considering joining an HMO, look into the provider networks of each plan to see if you’ll have access to the specialists you’re most likely to see. In the absence of such, a PPO or POS plan may be preferred.
What is the average cost of affordable health insurance in Kentucky?
The four tiers of plans available on the Health Insurance Marketplace are Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These levels categorize plans according to their monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and coinsurance requirements. It is crucial to examine the health care needs of each family member when evaluating options, as the plan with the lowest monthly premiums may not have the lowest overall costs.
Bronze plans feature the least expensive premiums, but they also demand copayments of 40% of the price of the services used. The highest deductibles are included with these plans. Young, healthy individuals who want insurance if the unexpected arises should choose bronze policies. They are ineffective for people with known medical issues or those with a high risk of needing medical attention because of a family history of sickness. In Kentucky, the cheap health insurance Bronze plan will cost $315 per month in 2022.
Due to their reduced deductibles and coinsurance, Silver plans are an improvement over Bronze plans. Additionally, low-income families may be eligible to enroll in a Silver plan that costs less than a Bronze plan. Once you’ve reached your deductible, a Silver plan’s copayments will be 30 percent of the service cost. The least expensive Silver plan in Kentucky will cost $380 per month in 2022.
The Gold and Platinum plans offer the most extensive coverage but have the highest monthly costs. The additional coverage and low annual deductible justify the higher price. A Platinum plan only requires a 10% copayment, compared to a 20% copayment for a Gold plan’s medical costs. Kentucky’s best health insurance plans are well suited to households with one or more individuals who require continuing care for a chronic medical condition because of the high monthly rates. In Kentucky, the cheap health insurance Gold plan will cost $470 per month in 2022.
In Kentucky, is health insurance affordable?
Kentucky’s Medicaid and KCHIP programs provide health insurance coverage for qualifying low-income citizens. While the KCHIP program supports children and expecting women, Medicaid covers a variety of adult demographics.
Kentucky Medicaid
If you are over 65 and unable to pay for medical treatment, have a disability, care for a little child, or are blind, you may be eligible for Medicaid in Kentucky. Medicaid will pay for qualified patients’ hospital stays, doctor visits, diagnostic tests, and any care that is deemed medically essential.
Only low income residents are eligible for Medicaid or this health insurance in Kentucky. In Kentucky, for instance, a single person applying for Medicaid can only make up to $17,131 a year, while a married couple is only permitted to make up to $23,169. A family of three is allowed to have a combined annual income of $29,207, while a family of five is allowed to have a combined annual income of a maximum of $41,284.
KCHIP in Kentucky
The KCHIP program offers coverage to kids whose families cannot afford health insurance. This program covers children under 19 and pregnant women without affordable health insurance in Kentucky. It includes preventative and emergency care, rehabilitative treatment, dental and eye care, and has minimal premiums and copayment requirements. Expectant moms’ prenatal care is also covered, including doctor visits and any necessary diagnostic testing. Family income is a factor in eligibility; people making up 213 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible.
What are Medicare choices available to seniors and individuals with disabilities in Kentucky?
Kentuckians have many Medicare enrollment options and cost-saving programs to choose from.
Parts A and B of Original Medicare make up the system. Hospital and skilled nursing facility inpatient treatment, home health care services, and hospice care are all covered in Part A. Outpatient operations, standard doctor visits, diagnostic testing, medical transportation, and medical supplies and equipment are all covered by Part B. Original Medicare does not cover prescription drugs, but you can get this benefit by signing up for Medicare Part D.
Medicare Advantage enables private health insurance providers in Kentucky to provide federally-subsidized plans with low premiums. These plans should cover all of the services offered by Original Medicare, and many also provide extra benefits, including prescription medication coverage and dental and eye care, among others.
There are monthly premiums, yearly deductibles, and copayment requirements for both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. This implies that you might still incur high out-of-pocket costs. You can use Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance to pay for these costs. Suppose you apply for Medigap coverage within six months of reaching 65 or enrolling in Medicare before that age. In that case, the insurance company cannot refuse to cover you and cannot raise your premiums.
Eligibility
To qualify for Medicare, you must meet the criteria. The program is only open to Americans over the age of 65 and legal residents of the United States. They’ve received Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for at least 24 months. You can also be eligible for Medicare if you have end-stage renal disease.
Enrollment
You’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare if you begin collecting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board payments at least four months before turning 65. Otherwise, you must submit an online application or contact your neighborhood Social Security office. Medicare enrollment is available during the following times:
Initial enrollment: You have a three-month window prior to turning 65 and a three-month window following that age to enroll. During this time, you can register if you have never had Medicare. You could alter your plan even if you enrolled in Medicare when you were younger.
General enrollment: Select this enrollment window if you missed the first one. January 1st-March 31st is the available enrollment period for Medicare. You can select Part D, Medigap, Medicare Advantage, or Original Medicare.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: From January 1st to March 31st, you can make changes to your Medicare Part C, generally known as Medicare Advantage.
During open enrollment, which runs from October 15th to December 7th, you can enroll, change plans, or cancel your coverage.
Special enrollment periods: A special enrollment time may be available if you lose coverage or your eligibility changes outside the regular enrollment periods.
Not in Kentucky? Here are some best health insurance companies in the US we listed down for you to get a review.
Resources for Medicare
You can receive free counseling from the Kentucky State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to better understand your insurance options and sign up for Medicare or Medicaid. Call the SHIP hotline at 877-293-7447 for further details and support.
Do Kentucky residents have access to short-term health insurance plans?
The federal regulations must be followed by insurers in Kentucky because there are no state limits on short-term health insurance plans. When you’ve got a gap in your coverage, the objective of a temporary health insurance policy in Kentucky is to provide you with coverage for a brief period. While you’re waiting for coverage to start under an employer’s health plan, are momentarily unemployed, or are waiting to enroll in Medicare, a short-term plan can help cover your medical costs so you do not have to pay out of pocket.
The maximum length for short-term insurance contracts sold in Kentucky is one year. You can extend a policy for an additional three years if necessary. These policies’ insurers are exempt from the Affordable Care Act’s regulations. This implies that if you’ve previously been ill or wounded, your insurance may not cover your current symptoms, and your premiums may go up.
FAQs on Insurance in Kentucky
Is health insurance a requirement in Kentucky?
Although the federal Affordable Care Act makes health insurance coverage mandatory, Kentucky does not mandate it for its inhabitants. While you won’t face any tax penalties for not having coverage, not being insured will disqualify you for the Advanced Premium Tax Credit.
Do I have to utilize the Kentucky Health Insurance Marketplace?
If you want to be eligible for a tax credit, the federal Health Insurance Marketplace is a terrific place to sign up for a health insurance plan, but it’s not the only one. You are free to enroll in any reasonably priced health insurance plan provided by insurers in the state if you are not interested in the Advanced Premium Tax Credit or are not eligible.
What are alternatives to traditional health insurance offered in Kentucky?
Faith-based cost-sharing programs are the most widely used type. Members of a faith-based plan split the expense of medical care with other participants. You do not have to be religious or a member of a specific religion to engage in a plan. While some faith-based insurance plans are affordable, most do not meet ACA requirements and do not provide coverage for pregnancy, mental health issues, or pre-existing disorders.
Do I still need health insurance if I have an HSA or FSA?
A health saving or flexible savings account is made to assist you in planning for significant or unforeseen costs associated with a sickness or disease that necessitates expensive care. HSA/FSA accounts complement health insurance plans well and should not be used in place of it.
If I have health insurance, do I still need short-term disability coverage in Kentucky?
While short-term disability insurance is intended to pay for household expenses if you temporarily cannot work, health insurance covers your medical care costs. If you get hurt or sick, a short-term disability coverage won’t be enough on its own to pay for your medical bills, but it can be a valuable addition to health insurance.
Do I still need long-term disability coverage if I have cheap health insurance in Kentucky?
Similar to short-term disability plans, long-term disability insurance operates similarly. Long-term disability plans will pay your day-to-day expenditures if you are hurt and develop a permanent handicap that prevents you from working, while your health insurance will pay for the cost of your medical care. If want to learn more you can check this long-term health insurance guide.
What is covered by KCHIP?
Preventive care, eye care, dental work, physical therapy, vaccines, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and counseling or treatment for learning difficulties are all covered for kids enrolled in the KCHIP program. You can also know about the health insurance in Georgia here.