Curious about health insurance in the Granite State? According to a study by US News, New Hampshire has the 13th best health care in the nation. That study considers quality of care, access, and overall public health.
Health insurance options in New Hampshire
According to the New Hampshire Insurance Department, there are several ways for residents to access health care in their state:
Employer-provided
- From your employer
- Through your spouse's employer
Individual or family plans
- Through HealthCare.gov
- Directly from a health insurance company
Government-assisted
- Medicare
- Medicaid
Where do most New Hampshire residents get their health insurance coverage?
| Sources | Percent | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer-Provided | 57% | ||
| Individual or family | 5% | ||
| Medicaid | 14% | ||
| Medicare | 17% | ||
| Military | 1% | ||
| Uninsured | 5% | ||
| Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, Health Insurance Coverage of the Total Population | |||
Five percent of New Hampshirites are uninsured, lower than the national average. That’s great news for policyholders. A high percentage of uninsured people raises rates for insured people.
New Hampshire health insurance companies
NH residents have several options for health care providers. These companies offer both individual and family plans in your state:
- Ambetter
- Anthem
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
New Hampshire health insurance costs and rate factors
On average, NH residents spend $9,589 per year on health care, more than the national average. That could be a setback for policyholders. A high amount of uninsured people can raise costs for insured people.
Health insurance plan type
More health care coverage will cost you more in monthly premiums. Marketplace plans come in metal tiers: bronze, silver, and gold.
How much does health insurance cost in NH? These are the average monthly premiums for a middle-aged state resident for each plan type in 2020:
| Bronze | Silver | Gold | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $303 | $390 | $456 | |
| Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, Change in Average Marketplace Premiums by Metal Tier | |||
Gold plans cost about 50 percent more than a bronze plan. That’s not a surprise, as a gold plan covers 80 percent of costs, whereas bronze plans cover 60 percent of costs.
NH residents may also qualify for a catastrophic plan, the lowest level of coverage available. Catastrophic plans have low monthly premiums but a high yearly deductible of $8,150. Because of that high deductible, it may be worth it to invest in a bronze or silver plan. You’ll save money if you actually use your health insurance.
Body mass index
According to the CDC, a high body mass makes you more likely to suffer from serious health conditions. Insurance companies will analyze your BMI to determine your risk-level. A high BMI leads to high insurance rates.
In 2020, NH had a 28 percent obesity rate, the 38th highest rate in the country. Of the many state residents using QuoteWizard to compare health insurance plans, 30 percent have a BMI in the obese range.
Tobacco use
Smokers pay more for health care because of the substantial risks from tobacco use. About 18 percent of NH residents are smokers, the 30th lowest rate in the country.
Age
Health care costs up to three times more for older people than for younger people. State residents who used QuoteWizard to shop for health insurance are, on average, 39 years old.
Location
Your location plays a large role in your health insurance costs. Especially because every state has different health care laws, regulations, and insurers.
Also, health insurance rates are community-rated. Rates are based in part on the combined claims everyone files. If your state files a high number of rates, your prices could skyrocket.
That’s why New Hampshire’s overall health-consciousness impacts your premiums. According to America’s Health Rankings, NH is the eighth healthiest state in the country. That’s a good sign for policyholders.
New Hampshire health insurance laws
The Affordable Care Act prevents insurance companies from charging you more for certain factors.
- Pre-existing conditions: The ACA doesn't allow insurance companies to charge more for pre-existing conditions. People with pre-existing conditions used to face steep premiums.
- Gender: According to a study by Health Services Research, women historically pay more for health care. Luckily, the ACA limits providers from charging women and men different prices for the same plan.
- Insurance and medical history: People with previous medical problems or lapses in insurance used to pay more for health care. Insurance companies used to analyze your medical history and your past insurance coverage.
There’s a limit to how much you’ll pay out-of-pocket per year with a marketplace plan. In 2020, the out-of-pocket maximum is $8,150 for an individual plan and $16,300 for a family plan.
NH state law requires providers to offer at least some coverage for the following services:
- Pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum coverage
- Coverage for hearing aids
- Diabetes services and supplies
- Qualified clinical trials
- Bone marrow testing
- Off-label prescription drugs
- Coverage for certain biologically based mental illnesses
- Therapy services for children
There are additional services that companies need to offer coverage for. Find the full list on cms.gov.
Medicare and Medicaid in New Hampshire
Medicare and Medicaid are both government-funded health care programs. They cater to two different groups. Medicare covers seniors, whereas Medicaid covers low-income families and children.
Medicare
NH seniors 65 and older with affordable health care qualify for Medicare. There are several options within the program, including parts A, B, C, D, and supplemental coverage plans. You may also qualify for a savings program with these income limits:
- Individual monthly income limit: $1,456
- Married couple monthly income limit: $1,960
Medicaid
Medicaid aids low-income families and children. These are the state’s Medicaid financial requirements:
| Household Size | Maximum Yearly Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $16,971 |
| 2 | $22,930 |
| 3 | $28,888 |
| 4 | $34,846 |
| 5 | $40,805 |
| 6 | $46,763 |
| 7 | $52,722 |
| 8 | $58,680 |
New Hampshire Insurance Department
- Website:
- Homepage
- Insurance Commissioner:
- John R. Elias
- Insurance Hotline:
- (800) 852 – 3416
- Office Hours:
- Monday - Friday
8:00 am to 4:30 pm
- File a Consumer Insurance Complaint
- Complaint Page
Sources:
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