How to Buy Health Insurance in Arizona in 2025 | AZ Brokers
Health insurance in Arizona is essential, in case you get in an accident, need emergency treatment, or want to take proactive steps to protect your health. According to KFF, uninsured patients were charged up to 4x what health insurers and public programs actually pay for hospital services. At least one-third of uninsured people must pay for full medical costs up-front before they can even see a doctor. When you’re in need of life-saving services, not having the funds to pay for treatment can be debilitating.
Health insurance helps protect you for whatever comes your and your family’s way. You have lots of options for health insurance coverage that’s affordable and meets your needs.
In this guide, we explain the different routes you can take for health insurance coverage in Arizona and things to consider as you sign up for a plan for 2025 and beyond. Open enrollment for health insurance takes place November 1, 2025, through January 15, 2026, but you have options to sign up for Arizona health insurance any time of year. Keep reading to decide which plan works best for you.
Key Takeaways
- There are three ways to get health insurance in Arizona: through the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace during open enrollment or any time if you qualify for a special life event; through a private insurance broker any time of year; and through a group health insurance plan through an employer, during the enrollment period.
- Before you select a health insurance plan, you should consider what doctors you prefer to see, what prescriptions you and your family are currently taking or anticipate needing, any upcoming procedures and surgeries you may have scheduled, and what you can afford to pay. These factors will help you look for insurance plans that cover the doctors you want to see, as well as cover your current and upcoming medical needs.
- An advantage of working with a private health insurance broker in Arizona is that you can tell the broker all your details (healthcare needs, budget, preferred doctors), and they’ll do the work to match you up with health insurance plan possibilities. This is a free service Arizona health insurance brokers offer to clients. You can also sign up for private health insurance at any time of year, without having to wait for a time period like open enrollment.
3 Ways to Get Health Insurance in Arizona
First, it’s helpful to be aware of the different ways you can obtain health insurance in Arizona for yourself and for your family. For all of the following methods, the AZ Health Insurance Brokers team can help answer any questions you have and ensure you get the coverage you need.
1. Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace healthcare exchange is run by the federal government on HealthCare.gov. From November 1 through January 15, you can apply for a healthcare plan through the Marketplace’s open enrollment period, and potentially save money, depending on your unique lifestyle and health conditions. There are also certain events, such as marriage or moving, that may qualify you for a special enrollment period at any time of year.
The Marketplace is a good option for Arizonans who qualify for government subsidies, which are discounts based on income. It can also be a helpful option for people who have pre-existing conditions, since anyone is eligible to get a Marketplace plan, regardless of their current health state.
Most Marketplace plans are health maintenance organization (HMO) plans, which means the covered medical providers are restricted. There are a few preferred provider organization (PPO) plans available through the Marketplace, but these are generally more expensive compared to the HMO plans. The only PPO plan on the Marketplace that works for Arizona is Blue Cross Blue Shield.
2. Private Insurance
Private health insurance, which you can obtain through an Arizona insurance broker like AZ Health Insurance Brokers, can be a great option for Arizonans who are relatively healthy and who don’t qualify for many or any of the Marketplace discounts due to their income levels. Private insurance is also an ideal solution for Arizona self-employed professionals who aren’t interested in Marketplace plans, but who need to obtain insurance because they’re self-employed.
Private insurance also provides more PPO health insurance options in Arizona. Private insurance can help you get health insurance coverage for the Arizona medical providers you want to see, instead of being restricted like you would be in a Marketplace plan.
Another benefit of PPO plans through an Arizona health insurance broker is that these plans typically work across state lines. PPO plans can be a good option for snowbirds who split residences between Arizona and another state and for Arizonans who travel frequently.
3. Group Health Insurance
Group health insurance is Arizona health insurance that’s offered through an employer, generally for businesses that have two or more employees. Group insurance plans can vary depending on what the employer has chosen, so employees may be restricted with an HMO or get more provider choice through a PPO.
Generally, Arizona group health insurance offers different plans to choose from. One downside with group health insurance is that it can be expensive to get the best coverage. Also, some Arizona employers may restrict the plans available to ones that have a high deductible.
Many Arizona professionals choose to get private insurance even if their employer offers healthcare coverage, because what’s offered is too expensive. In some cases, an Arizona group plan doesn’t provide adequate coverage for the employee and their dependents.
How to Choose an Arizona Health Insurance Provider
With Arizona Marketplace health insurance, Arizona private health insurance and Arizona group health insurance options available, you may be wondering which provider is the best one to go with. As you compare your options, consider the following.
1. Which Arizona Doctors Do You Want to See?
If you have a preferred Arizona doctor you want to have continued coverage for, check each plan to see if your preferred doctor(s) are covered. A PPO gives you more choice, but some Arizona HMOs may offer coverage for your preferred providers. If you don’t have a preference, an HMO might work.
2. What Prescriptions Do You Have?
If you have prescriptions now or anticipate you may have them in the near-future, you’ll want to choose a plan that offers coverage for those prescriptions. Prescriptions can be very expensive without healthcare coverage. Factor these in to your choice of Arizona health insurance.
3. Do You Have Upcoming Procedures/Surgeries?
Medical procedures and surgeries are another consideration when choosing Arizona health insurance. You may have a preferred Arizona doctor and/or treatment center, so you’ll want to make sure those are covered under the insurance plan you choose. Check out our Arizona hospital health insurance coverage blog for more info. As you compare plans, also look at deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.
We generally recommend people who have upcoming surgeries or procedures to look into using a health savings account (HSA) plan, since these typically have the lowest out-of-pocket maximum. If your employer doesn’t offer HSA plans, you could save by comparing Arizona private insurance options. Certain silver and gold plans through the Marketplace may also work.
Conversely, if you’re relatively healthy, and you don’t have any upcoming medical procedures planned, Marketplace bronze and silver plans, as well as private health insurance, may be better options when you don’t plan to meet a deductible with your healthcare needs.
4. What Is Your Income?
Again, Marketplace plans make the most sense for Arizonans whose income qualifies them for subsidies. If you can estimate your income for 2025, you’ll be able to anticipate whether or not you’ll qualify for government subsidies for Arizona healthcare and a discount off your premium.
If you likely won’t qualify for subsidies, you won’t be able to save on Marketplace plans. Keep in mind that if you state a lower income on the Marketplace plan, but you end up making more money, you’ll still have to pay back the difference in subsidies from the income you listed compared to your actual income come tax time.
Also, if you list a lower income, you’ll most likely be asked to show proof of income. If your income is too low, you might get directed to Medicaid.
Need Help With Arizona Health Insurance? Contact AZ Health Insurance Brokers
Navigating the Arizona health insurance market can be confusing. Ideally, you want the most comprehensive coverage for your unique medical situation, at the lowest price.
AZ Health Insurance Brokers can help you compare your options. We offer free, no-hassle health insurance consultations, so you can understand everything you qualify for in Arizona health insurance-wise, how much it will cost, and what type of coverage you’ll get.
Whether you’re getting a discount based on your income and you need help selecting and signing up for a plan, you want help with a private plan, or you want group health insurance quotes for your Arizona business, reach out to AZ Health Insurance Brokers.
Contact us online, call 602.617.4107 or email quotes@azhealthinsurancebrokers.com. We’re happy to help guide you and get you the coverage you need.
Arizona Health Insurance FAQs
How can you get health insurance in Arizona?
In Arizona, you can get health insurance one of several ways. One is to contact a private health insurance broker at any time of year, such as Arizona Health Insurance Brokers. Another is to get health insurance through the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, which may restrict you to open enrollment, from November 1 through January 15 of each year. You can also get health insurance through work if your employer offers it.
What’s the difference between an Arizona HMO and an Arizona PPO?
typically require members to see a primary care provider (PCP) in order to get a referral for a specialist. HMOs may also have more restricted coverage. PPO stands for preferred provider organizations. These plans typically offer more provider choice, but they can also be more expensive compared to HMOs.
What factors should you consider when getting Arizona health insurance?
When you’re comparing Arizona health insurance options, consider factors including: who your preferred doctors are, what prescriptions you’re taking, whether or not you travel frequently, if you have any upcoming procedures scheduled, and what your income is. All these factors will influence what the best Arizona health plan choice is.
How can you get insurance if you’re self-employed in Arizona?
If you’re self-employed, and you need health insurance, you can get health insurance any time of year through a health insurance broker. Depending on timing and your life circumstances, you may also be able to get health insurance through the ACA Marketplace during open enrollment or a special enrollment period.
Do you need health insurance in Arizona?
Not having health insurance in any state is a risk. If you need a prescription, healthcare service, surgery or other health procedure, you may need to pay up to tens of thousands of dollars or more to cover the costs out-of-pocket.
