Get More Benefits &
Save More! Call For
More Info Today

Off-Exchange Health Insurance Plan

The term off-exchange insurance plan describes a health insurance policy that you purchase directly from an insurance carrier or through a licensed broker such as Health Insurance Plans Company outside of an official state or federal ACA Marketplace.

Some off-exchange plans provide the same sorts of coverage that are available with ACA plans. These off-exchange health insurance plans will adhere to the rules for qualified health plans, which consist of:

• Clear communication of information that comprises premium, deductibles, and other out of pocket costs.
• Following the network adequacy standards established by the individual state exchange.
• Offering a summary of benefits and uniform coverage summaries before the beginning of open enrollment.

While the criteria for qualified health plans are the same countrywide for plans on the exchange, they can differ state by state if you look at an off-exchange plan.

Nevertheless, instead of being offered through the government Marketplace, or state-run marketplaces, these are available for direct purchase from insurance companies or through independent brokers. In many situations, an insurance carrier will provide an on-exchange and off-exchange plan with the same coverage. This is a choice made to increase customer choice.

Off-Exchange Health Insurance Plans that are not ACA-Compliant

In addition to these major-medical qualifying plans, you can search for other coverage that may not be robust. For example, catastrophic insurance can be found among off-exchange plan options. This insurance will not cover many basics like check-ups or immunizations but offers coverage for catastrophic events such as major injuries and illnesses. In exchange, those who purchase these plans will pay significantly lower premiums. Examples of off-exchange plans that do not qualify health plans (QHPs) are all you can find on government exchanges:

• short term health plans
• Medical indemnity
• Critical illness
• GAP plans
• medical insurance packages (MIPs)

These plans should only be considered by individuals in good health who do not often use medical services. When medical services are mostly paid out of pocket, it can lead to significantly higher costs overall. When choosing a plan with a low premium (monthly prices), ensure you always check plan details and walk into it to understand that benefits might be cut compared to more expensive plans.

Benefits of Selecting on Exchange Plans

When you purchase a plan on the government Marketplace, you have a guarantee that what you are shopping is a qualified health plan that meets the consumer protection requirements of the ACA. You can also quickly and easily compare the bronze, silver, gold, and platinum insurance choices in your state. On-exchange plans often need less out of pocket, as these plans are qualified for subsidies that substantially cut insurance costs.

Bear in mind that you can also find these “on-exchange” plans even outside of the government Marketplace has a proxy agreement with the government where we can sell the same Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) they provide, but consumers get to use our shopping experience.

Reasons to Look At Off-Exchange Plan Choices

When people are shopping for insurance, it is good to scrutinize several insurance choices. Run some scenarios to estimate, which will lead to the best price for coverage for you. If you are somebody who does not qualify for subsidies or finds coverage with an off-exchange plan that they cannot find on the exchange, an off-exchange plan can be beneficial. Compare the off-exchange plan and its rates throughout the year against an on-exchange plan. Both on-exchange and off-exchange plans are provided at Health Insurance Plans Company for easy comparison.

By thoroughly exploring your options, you can get a better idea of what a reasonable insurance rate is for someone in your specific circumstances. This information, in turn, can assist you in finding the best deal for your money and the coverage that best suits your lifestyle and your requirements.

Resources and References:

• Off-Exchange Health Insurance Coverage
• Basics of Qualify Health Plans