Utah individuals and families who aren't offered insurance through their employer may be able to obtain health insurance coverage in the individual/family market.
Getting Quotes
The first step in finding health insurance for you or your family is to explore plan options and pricing so you can find out what company has the right plan at the right price. You can get instant quotes for individual and family plans by filling out this short form. You will have immediate access to a side-by-side comparison for multiple plans from different Utah insurance companies.
Choosing a Plan
There are many things to consider when choosing a plan. Here are a few of the most important for many individuals and families:
- What is the price?
- What is the risk (how much would I have to pay if I had medical bills?)
- What is the deductible?
- What is the coinsurance and out of pocket maximum?
- What is the lifetime maximum benefit?
- Is there a separate annual maximum benefit?
- Does the plan offer tax benefits like the ability to use a health savings account?
- Are office visits covered before you are required to pay the deductible, or are you required to pay the deductible first?
- Are prescriptions covered before or after the deductible?
- Is there a supplemental accident benefit?
Applying
Once you have decided on a plan, it's time to apply. It's best to apply two to three weeks before you need the coverage to start, but coverage can sometime begin sooner if you are in a rush. With most Utah insurance companies you can download and print an application, or you can apply online. Online applications are often processed faster because the online system makes certain it has all the details it needs before sending your application off for review.
Continuous Coverage
In Utah, individual/family health insurance plans include a 12 month pre-existing condition waiting period. This means that your new plan won't cover pre-existing medical conditions until your 12 month waiting period is over. However, if you have had creditable coverage (that has ended. Within 63 days of your new policy's start date), your new plan will reduce the number of months in your waiting period by the number of months you had coverage previously. As an example, if your work plan (that you had for over 12 months) just ended one month ago, and you have a new plan starting today. Your entire 12 month preexisting condition waiting period would be waived and your pre-existing conditions would be covered.
Pre-Existing Conditions and Obtaining a New Health Insurance Policy
Having continuous coverage does not guarantee that you or your family will be approved for an individual/family plan. It simply means that your pre-existing conditions may be covered IF you are approved.
The Outcomes
In Utah, a health insurance company can offer you the plan you applied for at the price you were quoted, offer you the plan you applied for at an increased price, offer you a different plan at a standard or modified price, or deny coverage. Rate increases and denials are typically caused by health history, medication costs, or ongoing medical conditions.
If you are denied health insurance in Utah, there is a state funded program that offers coverage for that very reason. Click here to request more information.
Need Help?
If you would like an independent Utah insurance agent to help you find the right plan at the right price, please complete this short form.
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Utah Medical Insurance
for Individuals and Families
This Utah insurance website was created and is maintained by Jared Balis, an independent Utah insurance agent.
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