Find the best Central Pennsylvania health insurance plans in minutes. We provide unbiased information from all carriers such as Highmark Blue Shield Blue Cross, Capital Blue Cross, Aetna, Geisinger, and UnitedHealthOne (UnitedHealthCare). We offer medical plans to individuals, families, the self-employed and the uninsured of Central Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, Lancaster, Chambersburg, Lebanon, Hershey, and York are several cities in the area. Senior Medicare plans help persons that have reached age 65 secure quality benefits. Supplement, Advantage, and Part D prescription drug plans are offered.
Although Geisinger is not one of the larger companies, their rates are very affordable, especially if you prefer more personable treatment. You can read about Geisinger here. They were also one of the original companies to offer deductible options as low as $250 on private under-65 plans without having to use an HMO. Their Network of providers also extends beyond the central part of the state. A very inclusive RX benefit is also available with most of their plans.
Geisinger’s cheapest policies are the “catastrophic” POS plans, available only if you are under the age of 30, or you can show proof of financial hardship that meets the Department of Health And Human Services (HHS) guidelines. However, these policies do not qualify for federal Obamacare subsidies, so they only should be considered if your household income is above 400% of the Federal Poverty Level and you have no major medical conditions.
Rates In Central Pa
Central Pennsylvania health insurance prices are fairly low compared to most parts of the state. Usually, prices in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas tend to be approximately 10%-20% higher than Harrisburg, Lancaster and Lebanon area rates. Physician charges, hospital room rates and malpractice insurance premiums are generally lower than other parts of the state, accounting for some of the difference. Renegotiated network pricing also helps consumers pay lower medical costs. Although the number of available carriers has reduced for applicants under age 65, it is anticipated that additional companies may return to the market by 2025.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania area is served by Independence Blue Cross (IBX), who at one time was negotiating a merger with Highmark. Their Keystone plans provide PPO and HMO options to residents of that area. However, since you must reside in five local counties to qualify for a policy, residents outside of that area are excluded. These counties are Philadelphia, Montgomery, Chester, Bucks and Delaware. Ambetter and Oscar also offer policies in the area, and have become increasingly popular in recent years. Health insurance plans in Harrisburg are widely available and offered by more carriers than five years ago.
Affordable And Popular Medical Plans In Central Pa
Regardless which part of the area you reside in, each individual and family is different. Catastrophic coverage may be the best solution for certain situations, but not for others. That’s why we feel it is important to consider all of the available medical plans from all of the major companies, and not just a selected few.
For many consumers, the following options (below) have been quite popular. Each of these policies can be purchased through our website (or Pennie) at the lowest available rates and with no fees. Each policy is eligible for the federal subsidy unless otherwise indicated. All qualified preventive expenses are fully covered.
Catastrophic Options
Geisinger Marketplace All-AccessValue – $9,450 deductible and 0% coinsurance.
Highmark my Direct Blue Major Events EPO 9450 – $9,450 deductible and 0% coinsurance. First three pcp office visits covered at 100%.
Highmark my Blue Access Major Events PPO 9450 – $9,450 deductible and 0% coinsurance. First three pcp office visits covered at 100%.
Capital Blue Catastrophic PPO 9450/0/0 – $9,450 deductible and 0% coinsurance. First four pcp office visits covered with $0 copay.
Bronze Options
Geisinger Marketplace All-Access HMO 40/80/8400 – $8,400 deductible with maximum out-of-pocket expenses of $9,100. Office visit copays are $40 and $80. All prescription drugs must meet the deductible. The Urgent Care copay is $40.
Geisinger Marketplace All-Access PPO 40/80/8400 – $8,400 deductible with maximum out-of-pocket expenses of $9,100. Office visit copays are $40 and $80. All prescription drugs must meet the deductible. The Urgent Care copay is $40.
Geisinger Marketplace All-Access HMO Pharmacy First 8500 – $8,500 deductible with maximum out-of-pocket expenses of $8,750. Generic drug copay is $25.
Capital Blue Cross Bronze PPO Choice Select 7100/0/50 – $7,100 deductible with maximum out-of-pocket expenses of $9,450. Office visit copays are $50 and $85. Generic drug copays are $10 and $30 (preferred and non-preferred. Mail order copays are $25 and $75.
Capital Blue Cross Bronze PPO 7450/0/50 – $7,450 deductible with maximum out-of-pocket expenses of $9,450. Office visit copays are $50 and $85. Generic drug copays are $10 and $30 (preferred and non-preferred. Mail order copays are $25 and $75. $100 Urgent Care copay. $25 copay for lab tests at independent facilities.
Capital Blue Cross Bronze QHDHP PPO 6400/0/50 – $6,400 deductible with maximum out-of-pocket expenses of $7,450. Office visit copays are $50 and $85 (after deductible). All prescription drugs must meet the deductible. HSA-eligible.
UPMC Advantage Bronze $6,700/$0 – $6,700 deductible with maximum out-of-pocket expenses of $9,450. $30 generic drug copay.
Highmark my Direct Blue EPO Bronze 8900 – $8,900 deductible with 0% coinsurance and $8,900 maximum out-of-pocket expenses.
Highmark my Direct Blue EPO Bronze 3800 – $3,800 deductible with 50% coinsurance and $9,200 maximum out-of-pocket expenses. $65 office visit copays. Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 prescription drugs subject to 50% coinsurance. $100 Urgent Care copay. $65 and $150 lab test and x-ray copays.
Highmark my Direct Blue EPO Bronze 7100 HSA – $7,100 deductible with 0% coinsurance. HSA-eligible.
Silver Options
Geisinger Marketplace All-Access PPO 30/60/5500 – $5,500 deductible with 30% coinsurance. Office visit copays are $30 and $60. The Urgent Care copay is also $30. $20 generic drug copay.
Geisinger Marketplace All-Access HMO 30/60/5500 – $5,500 deductible with 30% coinsurance. Office visit copays are $30 and $60. The Urgent Care copay is also $30. $20 generic drug copay.
Highmark my Direct Blue EPO Silver 7000 – $7,000 deductible with 30% coinsurance. Office visit copays are $55, with $100 Urgent Care copay. Generic, brand, and non-preferred brand drug copays are $0, $30, and $150. The x-ray and blood work copays are $75.
Capital BlueCross Silver Valley Advantage EPO 6000/20/30 – $6,000 deductible with 20% coinsurance. Office visit copays are $30 and $60. The Urgent Care copay is $100. The generic, preferred brand, and non-preferred brand copays are $10 (not subject to deductible), $50, and $100. The mail-order copays are $25, $125, and $250. $0 copay for diagnostic tests at independent labs.
Capital BlueCross Silver PPO 6000/20/30 – $6,000 deductible with 20% coinsurance. Office visit copays are $30 and $60. The Urgent Care copay is $100. The generic, preferred brand, and non-preferred brand copays are $10 (not subject to deductible), $50, and $100. The mail-order copays are $25, $125, and $250. $25 copay for diagnostic tests at independent labs.
Gold Options
Geisinger Marketplace All-Access HMO Pharmacy First 8500 – $8,500 deductible. The generic drug copay is $10 ($20 mail order). The non-preferred brand drug copays are $25 and $50.
Geisinger Marketplace All-Access HMO 40/80/8400 – $8,400 deductible. Office visit copays are $40 and $80. Urgent Care copay is $40.
Highmark my Direct Blue EPO Gold 0 – $0 deductible with 30% coinsurance. Office visit copays are $20 with $40 Urgent Care copay. Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 prescription drugs subject to $0, $30, $150, and 50%. $35 copay for diagnostic tests.
Capital BlueCross Gold Capital Advantage EPO 2650/10/20 – $2,650 deductible with 10% coinsurance. Office visit copays are $25 and $45. The Urgent Care copay is $75. The generic, brand, and non-preferred brand copays are $10 (no deductible), $25, and $75.
Sample Under-65 Marketplace Monthly Rates (Dauphin County – Harrisburg Zip Code 17112)
35-Year-Old With $42,000 Household Income
$20 – Capital Blue Cross Bronze Capital Advantage EPO 7450/0/50
$24 – Highmark my Direct Blue EPO Bronze 8900
$54 – Capital Blue Cross Bronze PPO 7450/0/50
$54 – Capital Blue Cross Bronze QHDHP PPO 6300/0/50 HSA
$64 – Highmark my Direct Blue EPO Bronze 3800
$80 – Highmark my Direct Blue EPO Bronze 6900 HSA
$83 – UPMC Advantage Bronze $6,700/$0
45-Year-Old Married Couple With Two Children (4 Persons) With $100,000 Household Income
$0 – Capital Blue Cross Bronze Capital Advantage EPO 7450/0/50
$0 – Highmark my Direct Blue EPO Bronze 8900
$14 – Capital Blue Cross Bronze PPO 7450/0/50
$15 – Capital Blue Cross Bronze QHDHP PPO 6300/0/50 HSA
$54 – Highmark my Direct Blue EPO Bronze 3800
$111 – Highmark my Direct Blue EPO Bronze 6900 HSA
$208 – Highmark my Blue Access PPO Bronze 8900
55-Year-Old Married Couple (2 Persons) With $90,000 Household Income
$0 – Capital Blue Cross Bronze Capital Advantage EPO 7450/0/50
$106 – Capital Blue Cross Bronze QHDHP PPO 6300/0/50
$107 – Capital Blue Cross Bronze PPO EPO 7450/0/50
$148 – Geisinger Marketplace All-Access HMO Pharmacy First 8500
$561 – Capital Blue Cross Silver Capital Advantage EPO 6000/20/40
62-Year-Old Married Couple (2 Persons) With $100,000 Household Income
$0 – Capital Blue Cross Bronze Capital Advantage EPO 7450/0/50
$24 – Capital Blue Cross Bronze QHDHP PPO 6300/0/50
$25 – Capital Blue Cross Bronze PPO EPO 7450/0/50
$78 – Geisinger Marketplace All-Access HMO Pharmacy First 8500
$610 – Capital Blue Cross Silver Capital Advantage EPO 6000/20/40
Least Expensive Medicare Advantage Plans In Central Pennsylvania
Many Seniors utilize “Medicare Advantage” contracts for providing their medical benefits. These types of policies are issued by private carriers that receive direct reimbursement from Medicaid to offer Parts A and B benefits. Typically, drug coverage is included, although specific copays, premiums, and out-of-pocket expenses vary. Listed below are 28 inexpensive ($0 premium) plans that include prescription drug benefits (and their monthly rate) available in Lancaster County and much of the surrounding area:
$0 – AARP Medicare Advantage From UHC PA-0004
$0 – AARP Medicare Advantage From UHC PA-0011
$0 – AARP Medicare Advantage From UHC PA-0012
$0 – Aetna Medicare Advantra Credit Value
$0 – Aetna Medicare Advantra Silver
$0 – Aetna Medicare Silver Back
$0 – Aetna Medicare Value
$0 – BlueJourney Essential
$0 – Capital Blue Cross/ WellSpan Health Advantage
$0 – Capital Blue Cross/ WellSpan Health Inspire
$0 – Capital Blue Cross/ WellSpan Health Value
$0 – Capital Blue Cross Select
$0 – Cigna Preferred Medicare
$0 – Cigna True Choice Savings Medicare
$0 – Community Blue Medicare HMO Signature
$0 – Community Blue Medicare PPO Signature
$0 – Geisinger Gold Classic Essential Rx
$0 – Geisinger Gold Preferred Complete Rx
$0 – Health Partners Medicare Complete
$0 – Humana Gold Plus
$0 – Humana Gold Choice
$0 – Humana USAA Honor With Rx
$0 – HumanaChoice
$0 – Jefferson Health Plans Complete
$0 – Jefferson Health Plans Flex
$0 – Provider Partners Pennsylvania Community Plan
$0 – UPMC For Life HMO Premier Rx
$0 – UPMC For Life PPO Premier Rx
$0 – Wellcare Giveback Open
$0 – Wellcare No Premium
$0 – Wellcare No Premium Open
NOTE: It is very important to consider many other variables (including network provider list) before selecting a plan.
Pa Part D Prescription Drug Plans With Highest State Enrollment
Wellcare Value Script
SilverScript Choice
SilverScript SmartSaver
AARP MedicareRx Preferred from UHC
WellCare Classic
Cigna Secure Rx
Humana Walmart Value Rx Plan
AARP Medicare Rx Basic from UHC
Elixir Rx Plus
Humana Basic Rx Plan
Humana Premier Rx Plan
AARP MedicareRx Walgreens from UHC
Medicare Supplement Coverage
Monthly rates shown below are based on popular plans for a 65-year-old female residing in Centre County (Zip code 16802), Union County (Zip code 17844), Mifflin County (Zip code 17841), Columbia County (17846), Northumberland County (17801), Montour County (Zip code 17821), or Snyder County (Zip code 17827). Prices can slightly vary if you live in other areas.
Plan B
$88 – Allstate
$92 – Cigna
$98 – Humana
$99 – Ace Property And Casualty
$100 – United Of Omaha
$102 – Medico
$103 – Elips Life
$103 – Woodman Of The World
$103 – American Benefit Life
$106 – AARP-UnitedHealthcare
$107 – American Home Life
$107 – United States Fire
$108 – New Era Life
$108 – Cigna
$109 – AFLAC
$110 – Humana
$112 – Capitol Life
$115 – Aetna
$120 – Capital BC
$122 – Highmark BC
$123 – Manhattan Life
$130 – Heartland National Life
$139 – Bankers Fidelity
$156 – United American
$161 – GPM Health
$174 – Guarantee Trust Life
$179 – Physicians Life
Plan C
$138 – AARP-UnitedHealthcare
$148 – Philadelphia American
$149 – Manhattan Life
$149 – CSI Life
$153 – Mutual of Omaha
$167 – Central States
$174 – Oxford Life
$212 – Gerber
$219 – United American
$223 – Humana
Plan F
$125 – Continental Life (Aetna)
$130 – New Era Life
$132 – Cigna
$135 – Greek Catholic Union
$139 – AARP-UnitedHealthcare
$142 – Combined Insurance
$142 – Individual Assurance
$147 – Transamerica
$148 – Companion Life
$149 – CSI Life
$150 – Manhattan Life
$151 – Medico
$151 – American Retirement Life
$154 – Mutual of Omaha
$163 – Equitable
$169 – Central States
$183 – United American
$213 – Gerber
$228 – Humana
Plan F (High Deductible)
$28 – United American
$35 – New Era Life
$39 – Cigna
$44 – Medico
$46 – Mutual of Omaha
$50 – Continental Life (Aetna)
$62 – Humana
Plan G
$104 – Manhattan Life
$105 – New Era Life
$105 – Shenandoah Life
$108 – Manhattan Life
$109 – Cigna
$110 – Transamerica
$114 – Greek Catholic Union
$114 – Individual Assurance
$115 – Combined Insurance
$116 – Mutual of Omaha
$117 – CSI Life
$118 – AARP-UnitedHealthcare
$119 – Equitable
$127 – Central States
$128 – American Retirement Life
$131 – Medico
$137 – Companion Life
$171 – Gerber
Plan N
$80 – Continental Life (Aetna)
$83 – Manhattan Life
$84 – Shenandoah Life
$85 – Greek Catholic Union
$88 – Transamerica
$91 – American Retirement Life
$93 – Cigna
$93 – CSI Life
$93 – AARP-UnitedHealthcare
$94 – Central States
$96 – Individual Assurance
$102 – Mutual of Omaha
$103 – Medico
$103 – Equitable
$109 – Philadelphia American
$122 – Oxford Life
$122 – Combined Insurance
$130 – Humana
$136 – United American
Coverage For Your Pets
We’re not kidding! Capital BlueCross works closely with PetPlan, one of the largest pet insurers in the US. Coverage is available in the Lehigh Valley and outlying areas. Policies are offered for dogs and cats and three options (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) are available. Cap BC members receive a 10% lifetime premium discount. Currently, other domesticated animals are not eligible.
The rate is based on a combination of factors, including the age and breed of your pet, and where you live. A Dalmatian, for example, will cost about 20% more than a poodle or golden retriever, but won’t be as expensive as a pit bull. If you move, your policy does transfer with you, although your rate may change. For example, Allegheny rates are about 15% lower, while rates in the Eastern portion of the state are generally lower.
Bronze benefits (the most popular option) typically include coverage for veterinary exams, surgery, medications, diagnostic and cancer treatment, dental, behavioral, MRI, cat scans, and ultrasounds. The upgraded Silver and Gold plans may offer boarding fees, coverage from death/illness, and help with advertising and rewards for a lost pet.
