The post Ambetter Health Insurance Review by Ashley Hart appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.
Table of contents
[Show]
Like many insurance companies, Ambetter health insurance has pros and cons that you need to weigh out to decide whether it’s the best option for you. It shines when it comes to the variety of plan options available and the low monthly premiums. The perks program and benefits, including telehealth services and a mail-order pharmacy program also increase the appeal of using this health insurance provider. Ambetter receives 3.5 out of 5 stars in terms of being a good health insurance company.
Ambetter Health Insurance Pros and Cons
Ambetter Health insurance has pros and cons as outlined below.
Pros
- Low rates
- The option for dental and vision insurance
Cons
- Limited availability in different states
- A customer service reputation that could be better
Ambetter offers three tiers of Marketplace insurance plans — Gold, Silver and Bronze tier plans.
- Ambetter Secure Care is the Gold-tiered plan, and as such, this is the plan that has the highest monthly premium payments.
- Ambetter Balanced Care is the plan that Ambetter says is the best value. This Silver-tiered plan offers modest monthly premium payments with lower out-of-pocket costs. It’s the perfect “in the middle” plan.
- Ambetter Essential Care has the lowest monthly premium payment. As the Bronze-tiered option, this is a good option for people who don’t expect to need medical care often. This plan comes with the highest out-of-pocket costs to make up for the low monthly premium.
- Vision
- Adult Dental
Generally speaking, Ambetter’s coverage options are fairly standard. But, unlike some of its competitors, it offers the option to select a plan with vision and adult dental coverage. Choosing a plan like this is a great way to get full coverage all from one insurance provider.
Ambetter offers multiple ways to get in contact with its customer service team. If you’re trying to reach out online, you’ll select your state to find the right contact information. The customer service team can be reached by phone or you can fill out an online form to ask a question or request assistance.
It seems that the quality of service you receive depends on the state that you live in. On average, Ambetter does not have the best reputation for customer service. Some of the complaints policyholders have made include long wait times when calling for assistance, incorrect billing and issues with providers.
Since health insurance premiums are based on factors like your age, health and where you live, it’s impossible to tell you exactly how much you will pay if you choose a plan from Ambetter. Even so, you can use this example to compare the pricing of Ambetter’s plans.
These quotes are for a 30-year-old woman living in Orlando, Florida, based on an annual income of $36,000.
Plan
Monthly Premium
Deductible
Out-of-Pocket Maximum
Bronze Ambetter Essential Care 1 – EPO
$57 per month
$8,300 per year
$8,300 per year
Bronze Ambetter Essential Care 1 + Vision + Adult Dental – EPO
$70 per month
$8,300 per year
$8,300 per year
Ambetter Essential Care 2 HSA – EPO
$65 per month
$6,900 per year
$6,900 per year
Ambetter Balanced Care 29 – EPO
$168 per month
$5,450 per year
$8,400 per year
Ambetter Balanced Care 12 + Vision + Adult Dental – EPO
$188 per month
$6,500 per year
$8,400 per year
Ambetter Balanced Care 25 HSA – EPO
$204 per month
$4,800 per year
$4,800 per year
Ambetter Secure Care 5 – EPO
$210 per month
$1,450 per year
$6,300 per year
The Bronze plans in particular have very low monthly premiums when compared to other insurance providers. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these quotes are based on a salary of $38,000. For those with higher salaries, the monthly premiums will likely be higher.
Ambetter Mobile App
Ambetter does not currently offer a mobile app. While many providers have been slow to adopt mobile apps, others responded quickly to user demand for easy account management via dedicated application. For this reason, we rate companies based on their mobile app offerings as well as other factors.
In addition to affordable monthly premiums, Ambetter offers a good deal of benefits for its policyholders. The fact that vision and adult dental coverage is available on some plans can save policyholders a lot of time and money because it eliminates the need for other insurance.
For extra support, Ambetter’s care managers can work with policyholders and their doctors to develop care plans and coordinate services. Pregnant individuals can also use the Start Smart For Your Baby® program to receive resources and support through pregnancy and in the beginning stages of an infant’s life.
There are many benefits that provide convenience, as well. Ambetter allows policyholders to enroll in a mail-order pharmacy program and receive telehealth services 24/7 at no extra cost. A 24/7 nurse advice line is also available for health questions and guidance.
On top of all of that, Ambetter offers a perks program to provide discounts on local gym membership, meal delivery services and more.
Ambetter’s website is straightforward and easy to navigate. The site makes it easy to get health insurance quotes, so you can review the plans that are available to you. There are also several resources on the website that can help you understand how to balance out-of-pocket costs and monthly premiums to find the best plan for you.
The absence of a mobile app can be frustrating for users who want to be able to easily access their health insurance information on the go and in doctor’s offices. The amount of customer service complaints against Ambetter can also take away from an otherwise positive user experience.
Ambetter Health Insurance vs. Competitors
Though Ambetter isn’t available in every state, it’s competitive in the locations that it serves. Ambetter’s low monthly premiums and variety of plan options are only made better by the fact that some plans offer vision and adult dental coverage. The number of benefits offered by these health insurance plans also makes it quite an attractive option, especially in a time when it’s not unusual to use telehealth services.
get started
Call Now
securely through Blue Cross Blue Shield’s
website
Blue Cross Blue Shield consists of 35 separate companies that provide health insurance for roughly one-third of Americans. The company serves all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and many international areas.
While you look into the BCBS affiliates near you, understand what health plans are available as well as the health insurance cost. It offers extensive coverage that gives just about every American the opportunity to purchase a BCBS-affiliated health plan. However, be sure to read up on the company because the premiums and deductibles may not suit you and your circumstances.
Best For
- Desire for a new doctor with plenty of options
- No cap on annual maximum limits
- Comprehensive coverage with exclusive discounts and partnerships
- Coverage in all 50 states and outside the country
- Covers both generic and brand-name drugs
- Wide network of doctors, hospitals and specialists
- Plans offered through regional companies, meaning you must look to your regional company for specific policies
- Main customer service helpline may be difficult to reach
Get Started
securely through Sidecar Health Access Plan’s
website
Sidecar Health Access Plan is another approach to traditional health insurance. Instead of your health care providers billing your insurance, you pay upfront using the Sidecar Health payment card. This results in savings of up to 40% on healthcare costs for its customers.
Established in 2018, Sidecar Health Access Plan is based in El Segundo, California. Its plan options are easy-to-understand and allow you to shop upfront for affordable health care rather than receiving care and finding out what it costs later.
Learn more about Sidecar Health Access Plan and how it works.
Prefer to talk to an agent on the phone? Call 866-794-1192 to speak to a representative now.
Best For
- People who are younger than age 65
- People in relatively good health
- People who want to shop for affordable doctors, specialists or procedures
- People who want transparency in healthcare costs
- You can customize your plan
- It may reduce healthcare costs by as much as 40%
- It has a mobile app to access information on-the-go
- No provider network, so you can see any doctor with no referrals needed
- No enrollment period
- Plans are not compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
- Plans have an annual coverage limit
get started
Call Now
Kaiser Permanente is a not-for-profit health plan. Kaiser Permanente offers both health insurance and health care, which has resulted in excellent reviews from customers and rating organizations. Kaiser Permanente does have limited service areas, and you typically need to stay in-network for services unless you’re experiencing an emergency.
Best For
- People in Kaiser Permanente service areas
- People who don’t mind managed care
- People who like to manage their care online
- Many services available in one location
- Ability to make appointments online or using an app
- Good customer service
- Limited service area
- Need to stay in the Kaiser Permanente network for most services
get started
Call Now
UnitedHealthcare is an insurance company that is dedicated to making the health care system work better for everyone. Its plans can serve customers of all ages, starting in childhood and continuing all the way through the retirement years. The company partners with more than 1.3 million health care professionals and over 6,500 hospitals to give customers the freedom to access healthcare wherever they are. This insurance provider has a strong financial standing and good ratings, making it a reliable option for just about anybody.
Best For
- People who want flexibility in their health care coverage
- People who want supplemental insurance coverage
- People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid
- Offers a wide variety of plans
- Strong financial and customer service ratings
- ACA and non ACA plans available
- Not all plans ACA-compliant
- The website can make it difficult to get a quote
get started
Call Now
Cigna Health Insurance offers low-cost private health insurance and Medicare Advantage and Supplement Plans for families and individuals. Founded in 1982 and based in Bloomfield, Connecticut, the company offers a wide array of health insurance plans including three Bronze plans, four Silver and one Gold. All Cigna plans are EPO plans, meaning they are all in-network. Free telehealth visits come with every plan and are available to customers 24/7.
The four-metal tier coverage plans include:
- Bronze
- Expanded bronze
- Silver
- Gold
Individual and family Cigna private insurance plans are all available on the Marketplace and through the Cigna website, as well as with licensed agents in each state. Because they are sold through the Marketplace, they can only be purchased during your state’s open enrollment period. Special enrollment periods apply for special circumstances.
Best For
- Easy access to benefits
- Pharmacy programs
- Savings and spending accounts such as HSA and FSA
- Supplemental plans
- Home delivery for prescriptions
- Health management mobile apps
- Easy ID card replacement
- Potentially high deductibles
- Not available in all 50 states
Get Started with Ambetter Health Insurance
To see if Ambetter is available in your area, you can visit the website to browse the list of states it serves. You can also get a free health insurance quote to compare all of the options that are available to you. Once you’ve found your plan, all you need to do is purchase and keep up on your payments to enjoy your health insurance coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I enroll in health insurance?
The best time to enroll is during the Open Enrollment period between November 1 and December 15. If you lose your health insurance coverage outside of the Open Enrollment period, you may be eligible to enroll at that time as well.
Answer Link
Will my Ambetter health insurance plan automatically renew?
Yes. Ambetter sends renewal information out to policyholders each year in the fall. It’s important to review the renewal information and reach out to Ambetter if you need to make changes to your health insurance plan.
Answer Link
The post Ambetter Health Insurance Review by Ashley Hart appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.