Purchasing Health Coverage in New Hampshire 2019
Explore a variety of plans available to individuals, self employed, and small business ownersOur site will help visitors compare health coverage in NH by providing the necessary information to visitors in order to make an informed decision. Compare coverage offered by Anthem, Harvard Pilgrim, AM Better, Medical Cost Sharing, Direct Primary Care, and short term medical plans.
Looking To Find The Most Affordable Health Coverage in NH?
Hello and welcome to our page! We are here to help you navigate the world of health insurance, and specifically plans and coverage available in New Hampshire for 2019. We understand this topic can be boring, but we also know that this is significant investment that needs to be done right. To put it bluntly, many people are paying far too much $$, or have no coverage because they were not aware of more affordable options available to them.
Healthcare coverage is not, and should not be one size fits all. People’s healthcare needs differ, and the right healthcare coverage can depend on these factors that include, age, pre-existing conditions, family size, out-of-pocket expenses, doctor/hospitals, financial assistance, health status and more. Below we will help you explore options which you probably know about, and coverage many do not even know exists. For example, have you heard of medical cost sharing or direct primary care doctors to help lower healthcare costs?
Below you will find an overview, it includes four ways to get healthcare coverage. Exploring each option below is a good first step. Scroll to the bottom after each category to find links to particular companies and there you can learn about each particular company that you would like to explore.
Remember we are here to help, if at any point you would like to connect, create request by completing the contact form at the bottom of the page. In the message section you can, schedule a time to connect, request a proposal, or ask a general question. In person appointments are also available by request. We respond quickly!
If you prefer to look at plans yourself, click on each particular company in the “links” section to explore more details or create quotes for yourself.
We invite you to use our website as your one stop resource to explore all your healthcare options available in New Hampshire and we hope to connect with you soon!
Health Insurance
Also known as the “Market Place” or sometimes “ObamaCare”. Each state will either use Healthcare.gov or their specific state website to allow consumers to shop for health insurance plans. In New Hampshire, there are three companies that offer these types of plans, which are: Harvard Pilgrim, AM Better, and Anthem.
The number of plans offered is based on the county in which you live. For most counties in NH there are about 15 plans being offered by these three companies. The best way to shop or compare these plans is through the Healthcare.gov website. It’s important to keep in mind that working with an agent or purchasing these plans on your own will not change the cost of coverage. These rates are set and standardized regardless of how or where they are purchased. In other words, you CANNOT shop around for better rates. Health insurance rates between these 15 plans are only based on a few factors: zipcode, age, tobacco usage, and any financial assistance the applicant is eligible to receive.
*There are a couple of plans offered directly on Harvard Pilgrim’s website which are not available on Healthcare.gov. These plans are more costly, but provide a larger network of doctors and hospitals that extends into Massachusetts.
When comparing these three companies in New Hampshire some common factors include: HMO Networks, typically in-state network only, ACA compliant plans, open enrollment Nov 1st-Dec 15th.
One can only sign up for coverage outside of the open enrollment dates if they have what is known as a “qualifying event“.
These health insurance plans are typically recommened for those in need of pre-existing condition coverage or if receiving financial assistance through what is known as an Advanced Premium Tax credit.
If you find the monthly cost and out-of-pocket costs are still too high, we recommend considering medical cost sharing as a way to significantly lower these costs.
Links
To find out of you are eligible for financial assistance or to apply follow the appropriate link.
List Omni Insurance as your broker of record when completing your healthcare.gov application with the following information.
“NPN”-16688290
Medical Cost Sharing
Also known by other names such as “HealthShare”, “Christian Ministry”, and “HealthShare Cost Sharing Ministry” programs. This type of health care coverage is offered and administered by non-profit organizations and NOT insurance companies. Designed for healthier individuals and families, coverage through a HealthShare will typically save members 40-60% in annual healthcare costs.
No open enrollment deadlines, enroll through out the year!
We find often this coverage is sought after by those who: are not receiving financial assistance (subsidy), live healthy lifestyles, do not use tobacco, have no pre-existing conditions in need of medical treatment, have no or minimal maintance medications, are in need of lowering out-of-pocket medical expenses, or are in need of lowering monthly healthcare coverage.
There are obvious benefits to this coverage. First, coverage can be customized. Also, there is a large national network of doctors and hospitals across 50 states. Finally, it has a lower overall cost. Unlike traditional health insurance, medical cost sharing is universal and offered the same state by state.
Each particular HealthShare will function quite differently from one another and it is important to read through the “member guidelines” to understand those differences.
Navigate the “links” section below to explore plans designed for self-employed or small businesses. This seems to be a great fit for many small businesses throughout NH. You will also find a variety of companies designed for invididual coverage.
Links
For individuals- Click on each link to create a quote and explore each company.
Small Business/Self-employed/1099 contractors
Step 1 choose a basehealth plan
Step 2 choose a medical cost sharing amount
Short-Term Medical
Short-term health insurance can provide a temporary solution to help fill gaps in coverage. Consider short-term if you are: between jobs, waiting for other coverage to begin, or waiting to be eligible for Medicare coverage. There are a variety of plans and companies to choose from and coverage will vary by state laws. Plans can be customized by deductible and coinsurance to fit any budget and need.
Unfortunately, in New Hampshire at this time there are no companies approved to offer short-term medical health insurance coverage. View Notice
As these are updated we will update our website with those approved options. In the meantime, there are short-term medical plans available through one medical cost sharing company listed below.
Links
Direct Primary Care
Here is a concept that so many are asking about and many do not know even exists. Are you tired of going to a primary care doctor who is stuck behind a computer screen while barely making eye contact? If so, this may be a solution for you to get a trusted relationship back with your provider.
Although these DPC’s will function differently from one practice to another, the concept is straight forward. Their patients pay a monthly subscription/fee and in return get direct access to the healthcare provider of their choice. Through most DPC’s, patients can use this service as often as needed, call for prescriptions, and most importantly have a trusted physician willing and able to spend the quality time needed with them. Many will have accesss to services such as discounted labs or imaging that are done outside the scope of their service. We have noticed that these DPC’s often times will offer services not typically rendered at primary care providers that include holistic, or naturopath medicine.
This solution, offered though DPC’s, although wonderful and much needed, is not the only piece of this health coverage puzzle. Patients do need to retain an aspect of catastrophic coverage beyond the affordable monthly cost of the DPC service. There are strategies recommended by a company called “Planstin” on this website to combine a health savings account with DPC coverage. Typically it is recommded to retain a health insurance plan or a medical cost sharing plan in conjuction with DPC coverage. One will find that coverage with a DPC and medical cost sharing will be signficanly less in cost as it compares to health insurance coverage without any financial assistance.
These are independent practices and as stated previously they do have differnces. Use the links below to find some recommended local practices in New Hampshire.
Links
Direct Primary Care
https://www.hearthsidefamilyhealth.com/
Recommended catastrophic coverage for indviduals:
Recommended coverage for self-employed, small business, or 1099 contractors. Base Health Plan HSA