Since health insurance plans and requirements can vary from state to state, it can be stressful finding the right one for you and the whole family. But before you begin searching through possible options, it’s best to assess Oregon’s requirements so you could better evaluate what your family needs and could afford.

Oregon Health Insurance Options

Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was introduced, Oregon is one of the many states that work hard to preserve the qualities and features of the program. By 2017, more than 95% of Oregon residents were insured under a qualified plan that was compliant with the ACA. However, this might be because Oregon State is heavily considering an individual mandate, which requires all of its residents to be insured to avoid a hefty fine each year.

Although it’s not yet official, Oregon is well on its way to an individual mandate. Likely in the next coming years, residents will be required to choose between qualified and non-qualified plans, which are:

Qualified plans are ACA-compliant plans that cover the ten Essential Health Benefits, which are a list of guaranteed services like emergency room, ambulatory, and pediatric care.

Non-qualified plans are not ACA-compliant, but they are typically much cheaper and still offer comprehensive coverage options.

If you decide to enroll with a qualified plan, you’ll have to do so during Open Enrollment on HealthCare.Gov, or directly from an insurance company. Otherwise, you can purchase a non-qualified plan through a private exchange, like iHealth Agents.

Understanding Health Insurance in Oregon

Although optional in Oregon, having health insurance is the best way to protect yourself and your family from an unexpected medical emergency. Designed to help share the costs of significant accidents and events, health insurance can help you avoid substantial medical debt, which could lead to bankruptcy and home foreclosure.

Oregon is one of the few states that are fighting to keep the ACA’s provisions. Although Oregon is still in the process of a state-level individual mandate penalty, it is offering several appealing options to choose a qualified plan, including a longer open enrollment period.

Individual Health Insurance

Individual health insurance is a type of coverage you purchase through a public or private exchange. Nearly all of Oregon residents are insured under qualified plans, meaning that individuals and married couples can expect these average monthly premiums (Age 40, Zip code 97202):

  • Single Adult

    Single adult

    $400
  • Married Couple

    Married Couple

    $800

Although qualified plans are the most expansive types of coverage, they often come with a higher monthly cost. Those who want something less expensive and don’t mind fewer coverage options might want to consider non-qualified plans as a viable option.

Family Health Insurance

Family health insurance is a type of policy that covers you, your spouse, and any dependents, like children. Since social programs like Medicare and Medicaid don’t typically accept families, you most likely only have the option to purchase through the exchange or your employer.

Under a qualified plan in Ohio, you can expect to pay these averages for your monthly premium (Age 40, Zip code 97202):

  • Health Maintenance Organization

    A married couple with one child

    $999
  • Health Maintenance Organization

    A married couple with two children

    $1,197
  • Health Maintenance Organization

    A married couple with three children

    $1,396

If your family is generally healthy and don’t have any pre-existing conditions, then you could also consider non-qualified plans as a cheaper option. Although they don’t offer the same guaranteed benefits as qualified plans do, they have lower monthly premiums and can be customized to fit your family’s needs.

Short Term Health Insurance

Short Term Health Insurance in Oregon

Short-term health insurance plans are temporary plans that are designed to act as a bridge when searching for a more permanent policy. They are easy to apply for, and ideal for individuals who have just been removed from their parents’ qualified plan or are waiting for for Open Enrollment to buy an ACA qualified plans.

Oregon is one of the few states that enforce its short-term health plan regulations, which means that they don’t abide by the federal guidelines. Nationally, many short-term plans can be renewable for up to 36 months, but Oregon limits these plans to three months in duration. When the coverage expires, you can purchase a new three month plan. In Oregon, once you have been insured for 12 consective months on short term health plan, you must wait 60 days for re-applying with the same carrier.

Find the Right Plan Today

Compared to other parts of the country, Oregon is unique because it has a high percentage of people insured in plans following the Affordable Care Act’s guidelines. The good news is that when the time comes, you’re now familiar with the two types of plans you can choose from.

To make the selection process simpler, iHealth Agents is a free marketplace that allows you to browse through a variety of qualified and non-qualified programs. Available to you or the whole family, you can search for the right plan at the right price. Find a policy that works for you today.