How to Choose the Right Kentucky Health Insurance Plan

Health insurance providers in Kentucky offer a wide range of plans for individuals and businesses. Most people are covered by an employer-sponsored plan. If you are not, you would have to buy a policy directly from an insurer. This means looking at various options and choosing the right Kentucky health insurance plan.

Compare Kentucky Health Plans

Health insurance plans comprise managed health care plans and indemnity plans. Managed care comprises HMO, PPO and POS plans. Managed care means fewer out-of-pocket costs, a small co-pay per visit, and no deductibles or insurance claims to file.

With HMOs, members must choose a primary care physician. This physician handles all your healthcare and treatment and refers you to a specialist if necessary. Each plan allows a certain number of wellness visits and checkups. A HMO is the least expensive of healthcare plans.

PPOs are flexible in that they let you see anyone you want, even out-of-network doctors and specialists. The doctor or healthcare provider is under contract with the insurance company to provide services at a discounted rate. However, if you go in for outside network care, you would be reimbursed for only up to a certain percentage of your expenses.

POS plans combine features of both HMOs and PPOs. Premiums are higher than HMOs, but POS plans offer greater freedom of choice with doctors and hospitals. In-network care involves a small copay and no deductible. If you go outside the network, you have to pay as in a fee-for-service or indemnity plan.

Making the choice between plans depends on what your priorities are. Choose a HMO if you are looking at low premiums and preventive care. But this plan would not be right for you or a family member have a pre-existing health condition that needs the attention of a specialist. If the coverage is for you and your spouse, see if having two individual plans is less expensive than having family coverage. A PPO is ideal if you can stay within the network and see the doctor you want.

One of the most important things to remember when buying medical insurance is that cost should not be the only concern. It is important to consider the needs of your family, range of benefits offered and the quality of the plan.

Points to Consider when Buying Health Insurance in Kentucky

When you compare plans, consider the following:

• The copay or discount for doctor visits
• Number of doctor visits
• Coverage for children
• Coverage for prescription
• Inpatient care and what the policy covers
• Emergency care
• Lab tests covered
• Annual deductible
• Total amount of co-insurance and deductible
• Premium
• Lifetime max coverage
• Whether the plan is HSA-qualified. A High Deductible Health Insurance Plan combined with a Health Savings Account (HSA) and can save you tax dollars

Other relevant considerations:
• If you are considering a new plan, review your past medical claims to understand how much of your expenses were not reimbursed
• See if your doctor or specialist is enrolled in the plan
• Choose the right doctor by checking out educational qualifications, credentials and experience. Ask friends to recommend a doctor, do online research to find good doctors and hospitals and choose a plan that has them as members
• Read the fine print before you sign

Benefits of Expert Guidance

The first step in choosing the right Kentucky health insurance plan is to get quotes from leading providers. Browse the web to find a reliable insurance agent who can help you. An experienced agent would answer all your queries and offer expert guidance to help you find affordable health insurance to suit your needs

Kentucky Medical Insurance Within Your Budget

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act seek to ensure that all Kentucky residents can buy quality affordable health insurance. Finding Kentucky medical insurance within your budget is all about making the right choice. In other words, you have to consider your health insurance needs, how much you can afford to pay, and then find a health insurance plan that offers comprehensive coverage.

Examine your Health Insurance Options

Health insurance companies compete to offer individuals, families and businesses a wide spectrum of health insurance options. Before you decide on a plan, consider the options that are open to you. Remember that the cost of Kentucky individual health insurance depends on the state of the individual’s health – a person with health risks would have to pay more.
Every plan involves a monthly cost or premium and also other expenses, such as an annual deductible or payments for office visits. Plans with higher premiums usually mean lower costs for office visits and other services. On the other hand, if you choose a plan with lower monthly costs, you will have to pay more for office visits and other services.
Kentucky individual or family health insurance plans include indemnity health plans, and managed-care including HMOs, PPOs and POS plans. HMOs usually cost less than the others.

• Indemnity health insurance plans offer a wider choice of providers than managed care, though you may have to pay first and claim reimbursement later.


• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans work through a network of doctors, hospitals, and other providers.


• In Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans, a group of preferred providers. They allow you to go in for out-of-network care, though you would have to pay more for such services


• POS is managed care that offers the low cost of HMO as well as the flexibility of a PPO.

Leading insurance companies like Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna and United offer several affordable Kentucky health insurance plans. It is important to get health insurance quotes from many providers as knowing the costs and benefits of various health insurance plans can help you find a budget-friendly option.

Advantages of Professional Assistance

To assess the benefits of the various plans and get Kentucky medical insurance within your budget, it is best to go in for expert advice. There are many professional companies based in Kentucky that can help you get free quotes from various health insurance companies, as well as compare them to choose an affordable plan. Their websites also offer valuable information on the various facets on Kentucky health insurance so as to help you make an informed decision.

Affordable Kentucky Health Insurance to Meet Your Needs

As with the residents of other US states, people living in Kentucky have the option to choose from a wide range of individual health insurance plans. In fact, getting affordable Kentucky health insurance to meet your needs is not difficult, as long as you go about it in the right way. This means that you have to be aware of all the options open to you, study them, understand the fine print and choose the right plan.

Overview of KY Medical Insurance Options

The basic kinds of managed care Kentucky health plans that you can choose from are HMO, PPO, POS, and HSA plans.

• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans are more affordable than others and a good choice for a family that does not have too many health issues. They allow you to see an in-network primary care physician who can refer you to a specialist if the need arise.


• Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans cost more than a HMO, but offer a wider network of health care providers. These plans are based on fixed arrangements with doctors and other healthcare providers. You can opt for a PPO which offers services from in-network providers or choose one that provides out-of-network care.


• Point of Service (POS) plans combine features of both HMOs and PPOs and are designed to ensure affordability. You can see any out-of-network physician or specialist you want, though your costs may be higher than with a HMO.

In any case, when it comes to getting affordable but comprehensive coverage, you would have to consider and compare various factors such as members in your family who need insurance; premiums, additional payments including copays and deductibles; whether preventive screenings are covered; whether inpatient care includes surgery costs, board and incidentals; visits, emergency care and prescription coverage.

Comprehensive Medical Insurance from Various Providers

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealth One and Humana are companies that offer different kinds of health plans for individuals, families, business owners looking to provide employee insurance, short-term plans, and more. They offer Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) that are tax-free when combined with high deductible health plans (HDHP), and allow you to pay for qualified medical expenses. Many Kentucky health insurance can be customized.


The First Step towards Affordable Health Insurance

Ideally, the first step towards getting affordable medical coverage is to contact a professional company that represents leading providers. An established insurance agent would have all the necessary resources to offer exceptional customer service, and would also provide expert advice and guidance to help you secure affordable Kentucky health insurance to meet your needs.

Kentucky Dental Insurance Plans and Benefits

As with Kentucky health insurance plans, Kentucky dental insurance plans come with a wide range of benefits. Enrolling in a dental insurance plan offered by a leading provider would assure you of dental benefits like yearly checkups, x-rays, cleanings and other kinds of treatment. Health insurance companies such as Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, HumanaOne and Assurant offer plans that provide comprehensive and affordable dental care for individuals and families.

Dental Insurance in Kentucky – Overview of Plans

All dental insurance plans involve the payment of a monthly premium and entitle you to specific dental benefits such as necessary to maintain general dental health. For a higher premium, some plans ever offer coverage for certain kinds of dental surgery. The following is an overview of the dental insurance options offered by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, HumanaOne and Assurant.

• Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) – All of the Anthem BCBS dental plans allow you see any dentist, though the cost would be lower if you see a dentist in the provider network. You can get full coverage for diagnostic and preventive care as well as a fixed amount for basic and major dental services with providers in the company’s network with an Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plan. Dental Blue Basic 100 from Anthem BCBS covers all basic dental care needs such as routine dental check-ups and fillings. Another plan, Dental Blue Essential 100, goes further with coverage for the basics, plus services like crowns, bridges, root canals and dentures. For a higher cost, Dental Blue Essential 200 offers a wider choice of network dentists than Dental Blue Essential 100, though the benefits that both these plans cover are similar.


• HumanaOne’s Dental Preventive Plus is a PPO (preferred provider organization) plan with low deductibles and no copays. With HumanaOne Dental C550, you have to choose a primary dentist. The Dental Discount plan offered by this insurance company allows you to save 20-50 on dental care services.


• With an affordable Assurant dental insurance plan, you pay set amounts for each service. You can get three types of services: preventive services that include two dental visits per person per year, basic services that include fillings and extractions, and major services for crowns, periodontics, endontics, dentures and oral surgery. You can choose any dentists and there are no deductible, so coinsurance, and no copays.

Get Free Quotes for Kentucky Dental Insurance

To choose from the many Kentucky dental insurance plans, you need to get quotes and compare them. The ideal way to do this is through experienced health insurance agents, who can advise you on various plan benefits. The websites of leading agents provide all the information you need about the plans on offer. You can also benefit from expert guidance and simple online procedures to enroll in a Kentucky dental insurance plan to suit your needs.

Kentucky Individual Health Insurance – Evaluate Options

The health insurance market offers various kinds of Kentucky health insurance that include individual and family health insurance, group and student insurance, short-term insurance, dental insurance, and more. Kentucky individual health insurance or family health insurance refers to health insurance that covers you and your family. You would need to consider buying an individual health insurance plan if your employer does not offer you coverage in a group plan.

Factors Governing Issue of Kentucky Individual Health Insurance

All Kentucky health insurance is state-regulated. Some of the main factors governing the issue of individual health insurance in Kentucky are:

• Kentucky health insurance providers consider factors such as health status, gender, age, and lifestyle when considering an application


• Premiums vary depending on the above-mentioned factors. Premiums would be quite high if you have a serious health condition. Also, your premium would go up as you get older


• As in other state, in Kentucky too, individual insurance is not guaranteed issue. However, your existing insurance policy cannot be canceled if you get sick, except in the case of fraud or intentional misrepresentation of material fact


• In Kentucky, a health insurance company can apply a pre-existing condition exclusion period for a condition like pregnancy for up to 12 months


• An insurance company will not refuse you issue, charge more or require you to face a pre-existing exclusion period because of a genetic condition that includes your family history of health conditions

Kentucky private health insurance options available to individuals include HMO, PPO, POS, and HSA plans. Recent health reform legislation has brought many benefits. Children are now allowed to stay on their parents’ health plan till age 26, and cannot be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition.

Buying a Comprehensive Kentucky Health Insurance Plan - Points to Consider

It would be to your advantage to consider the following when buying Kentucky individual health insurance:

• Number of members in you family who need coverage


• Coverage for children


• Whether your primary care physician (if your plan has one) is nearby


• Premium, copayments and deductible


• Services that the plan pays for


• Coverage for prescriptions


• The future health needs of your family


• Your budget

A licensed health insurance agent would be able to provide valuable advice on choosing the right health insurance plan. The websites of experienced agents offer all the resources necessary to request quotes from various insurance providers, compare them and select the right plan.

KY Health Insurance – Many Affordable Options

Many Kentucky residents get health insurance through their employer. Such KY health insurance coverage usually covers their families also. However, if it does not, they have to look for an affordable family health insurance plan. Kentucky residents can choose from a wide range of insurance options such as HMO, PPO, POS, and HSA plans.

KY Health Insurance Options for your Family

• HMO: Most people prefer to go in for a HMO as they cost less than other plans. Your family would see a primary care physician (PCP) in the HMO network, so it is important that the health facility is close to where you stay. A HMO is a good choice if your family is in good health. Your PCP would have to provide reference if you need to see a specialist.

• PPO: PPOs offer a wider network of preferred health care providers. Your family can consult doctors, including specialists in the network, though costs would be higher than with a HMO. Many health insurance companies offer PPO plan coverage with one set of benefits from in-network providers and another for care received from providers outside the network.

• POS: POS family health insurance plans offer a great deal of flexibility. You can consult out-of-network doctors and providers, though your out-of-pocket costs and premiums would be higher than in a HMO.

• HSA: A Health Savings Account combined with a high deductible health plan (HDHP) allows you to pay for qualified health expenses using the money you put into a tax-free HSA. You have lower monthly premiums and a high deductible.

Choosing the Right Plan

Consider the following points when buying family health insurance on your own: number of members to be insured, premiums, co pays, and deductibles, coverage for children, whether inpatient care for your family includes costs of surgery, room, board and incidentals; number of doctor visits; emergency care; prescription coverage, and so on.

New reform has brought a lot of welcome relief as far as KY health insurance is concerned. Children can remain on their parents’ policy till age 26, and cannot be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Insurance companies cannot drop people from coverage when they get sick. Members in new plans can choose any PCP without prior authorization from the insurer. This offers greater access to health care in emergencies.

The best way to buy KY health insurance for your family is to seek professional guidance from an experienced insurance agent.

Kentucky Health Insurance – Plans to Suit Your Needs

Health insurance companies offer various kinds of health insurance plans to suit the needs of individuals, families and employers in Kentucky. These include indemnity plans, HMOs and PPOs. Indemnity plans offer a greater choice of health care providers. You pay up front and the insurer pays its share when it receives the bill. A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan operates through a network of doctors, hospitals, other providers. You can choose one doctor as a primary care physician (PCP), who refers you to a HMO-approved specialist if needed. A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan offers greater freedom to choose from a preferred provider network of health care providers. With a PPO, you do not need a referral from a PCP to see other providers in the network.

Choose from Various Affordable Kentucky Health Insurance Options

Leading health insurance companies offering comprehensive and affordable Kentucky health insurance include Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana One, United Health One and Aetna. The following is a brief overview of their options:

• Kentucky Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield’s popular health insurance plans include Premier Plus, Lumenos HSA, and Smart Sense Plus. Premier Plus offers an unlimited number of doctor office visits with co-payment before the deductible and prescription drug coverage options. Lumenos HSA Plus is a health savings account with a tax advantage plan and offers preventive care services without deductibles or coinsurance. Smart Sense Plus covers essentials like office visits at low monthly rates and offers a choice of prescription drug coverage options.

• Humana one’s HSA is an attractive plan for big families and comes with a high deductible and low premium. It covers doctor office visits and prescription drugs. Autograph Total and Portrait Share are among Humana One’s best-selling plans.

• United Health One offers affordable individual and family HSA plans like Copay Select, HSA 100, Plan 100, Plan 80 and Saver 80. Saver 80 offers great coverage with a low deductible and is suitable for people in the 50-60 age groups who are looking for just hospital coverage.

• Aetna’s Open Choice Plan has a low-priced option that allows you to see any network doctor without a referral. Another option allows you to visit even a specialist without a referral, though your out-of-pocket costs would be higher.

Rely on Professional Assistance

Most plans can be customized to suit your specific needs. To get information on the various health insurance options in Kentucky, contact a reliable insurance agent. You get expert assistance in comparing plan benefits and rates, instant personalized quotes and the facility to apply online.