Blog Layout

How to Enroll in ACA Marketplace Health Insurance on Your Own

October 2, 2024

If you need a new health insurance plan or are considering alternatives for your current one, November 1 marks open enrollment for Affordable Care Act (ACA) federal marketplace health insurance enrollment. The last day for open enrollment is January 15, 2025. If you qualify for a special enrollment period, you may enroll in an ACA plan at any time of year. 


If you’re considering an ACA plan, it’s simple and easy to enroll in health insurance on your own. AZ Health Insurance Brokers will even facilitate signing you up for free. You get your own personal customer service representative, you can sign up quickly and easily, and you’ll always have someone to help you whenever you need it.


In this blog, learn the simple steps for signing up for ACA health insurance coverage on your own through our simple health insurance form. Get the health insurance coverage you need quickly, so you and your family are protected with a cost-effective plan. 

~

Key Takeaways


  • Open enrollment for an Affordable Care Act (ACA) federal marketplace health insurance plan is from November 1, 2024, through January 15, 2025. You may also qualify for a special enrollment period that enables you to sign up for ACA health insurance at any time of year, for specific life events, such as divorce or losing previous health insurance coverage.
  • You can sign up for an ACA health insurance plan in minutes. When you sign up for ACA health insurance through the AZ Health Insurance Brokers form, you get a free personalized customer service representative to help with any questions you have and to ensure fast and simple signup.Surest steers members to appropriate care. Ultimately, this helps reduce overall utilization and reduces cost of services for the member.
  • ACA health insurance plans are available to legal U.S. residents. Some offer discounts and tax subsidies, based on income. 

How to Sign Up for ACA Insurance


Beginning November 1, 2024, you can sign up for ACA insurance for coverage for 2025. If you sign up by December 15, 2024, your ACA health insurance coverage will begin January 1, 2025. After that, if you sign up by January 15, 2025, your coverage will begin February 1, 2025. 


If you qualify for a special enrollment period, you can enroll in ACA health insurance at any time of year. Special enrollment period qualifying events include:


  • Losing health insurance coverage
  • Moving
  • Getting married
  • Having a baby
  • Adopting a child
  • Household income falls below a certain amount

To simplify the process, you can use this link from AZ Health Insurance Brokers for free, fast and simple signup. All you need to do is complete the following steps.

  1. Type in your ZIP code.
  2. Type in the age(s) and gender(s) of the insured. 
  3. Input your annual income to see if you qualify for a subsidy, which is a discounted rate. If your income is above the income threshold, still input, and continue.
  4. Select a qualifying special enrollment period, if applicable. During open enrollment, you can skip this step.
  5. Type in any doctor(s) you want to continue seeing. Skip this step if you don’t have a preference.
  6. Type in your prescription(s) to see if the plan covers them. This is mostly relevant for expensive prescriptions. Skip this step if it’s not relevant.
  7. See available health insurance options for plans in your area.
  8. Filter or compare to hone in on relevant plans. 
  9. Click “Add to cart” to enroll in the ACA health insurance plan that works best for you based on your (and your family’s, if applicable) unique healthcare needs and budget. If you’re having enrollment issues, you can call our office at 602.617.4107, and we can complete your application.


1.

Type in your ZIP code.

Step 1 Type in your zip code.
Step 2: Provide age and gender information.

2.

Type in the age(s) and gender(s) of the insured. 

3.
Input your annual income to see if you qualify for a subsidy, which is a discounted rate. If your income is above the income threshold, still input, and continue.

Step 3: Input your annual income to see if you qualify for a subsidy.

4.

Type in any doctor(s) you want to continue seeing. Skip this step if you don’t have a preference.


5.

See available health insurance options for plans in your area.


Step 5: Type in any doctors you want to continue seeing.
Step 6: Click “Add to cart” to enroll in the ACA health insurance plan that works best for you.

6.
Click “Add to cart” to enroll in the ACA health insurance plan that works best for you based on your (and your family’s, if applicable) unique healthcare needs and budget. If you’re having enrollment issues, you can call our office at 602.617.4107, and we can complete your application.


You can get coverage right away if you qualify for a special enrollment period, or get it beginning in 2025 if you’re applying during regular open enrollment.


ACA Healthcare Plan Options in AZ


You may see lots of options for ACA healthcare plans in AZ when you sign up for ACA health insurance. Some of the most popular carriers include:


  • AMBetter: Some advantages of these plans include mental health benefits and no requirements to get a referral in order to see a specialist. AMBetter is contracted with HonorHealth and Banner Health hospitals in the Phoenix/Valley area. 
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield: Blue Cross Blue Shield, also known as BCBS, is one of the largest health insurance carriers in Arizona. If you have or plan to have children, it’s also helpful to know that BCBS is contracted with Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
  • UnitedHealthcare: UnitedHealthcare, also known as UHC, is a very cost-effective brand, especially in ACA bronze and silver plans. UHC is contracted with HonorHealth and Banner Health hospitals in the Phoenix/Valley area. 
  • Banner|Aetna: Banner|Aetna is also contracted with Banner Health facilities throughout Arizona, as well as with other individual practices. Bronze and silver Banner|Aetna plans are popular options for ACA health insurance in Arizona. 
  • Cigna: Cigna is contracted with Barrow Neurological Institute, Dignity Health, HonorHealth, and KPC Promise Hospital of Phoenix. Cigna has reliable plans, but they are not competitive with pricing compared to other plans here in Arizona.
  • Oscar: Oscar is contracted with Abrazo Health, Banner Health, HonorHealth and various Valley hospitals.Oscar is a recommended carrier that has an exceptional app for their members to use.
  • Imperial Health: Imperial Health is contracted with Abrazo Health, HonorHealth, Steward Health Care Arizona and Valleywise Health. Imperial Health debuted in Arizona in 2024, so we haven’t gathered as much feedback on it yet, as compared to other carriers. 
  • Medica: Medica is exiting Arizona in 2025. For people who had Medica previously due to its coverage at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, BCBS is a good alternative. 


When you use our form to sign up for one of these plans, it’s completely free to use. You get the added benefit of a personalized customer service agent to guide you through the process and answer any questions you have. 


Choosing the Right Metal Tier Options in AZ


With  different health insurance tier options to choose from, it can be tricky to decide which option is best. Based on our experience, it really depends on your unique health situation. 


For a family that is healthy, for example, an expanded bronze plan is the most popular choice. For someone who will be having a surgery, a health insurance plan with a lower out of pocket maximum can be best. For someone who takes an expensive medication, a gold plan may be best for the lowest out of pocket costs. For someone who qualifies for a cost sharing reduction (CSR), a silver plan can offer a discounted deductible, out of pocket maximum and low copays. 


The following are tiers to choose from and how they work.


  • Catastrophic: All expenses generally apply towards the deductible with a catastrophic plan. Catastrophic plans are only available for people younger than the age of 30. 
  • Bronze: Bronze plans are very similar to catastrophic plans. The price is similar to a catastrophic plan, and you end up with more benefits. 
  • Expanded Bronze: With many of these plans, you should have copays for many common things, such as seeing a primary care physician, seeing a specialist, getting generic prescriptions, getting blood work, going to urgent care and receiving counseling. Most of the other expenses would apply towards your deductible. These plans are one of the most popular tiers to go with. 
  • Silver: These plans are going to cover many of the same things as an expanded bronze plan. The main difference is, you will have lower copays and a lower deductible compared to the expanded bronze plan. Because the out of pocket maximum will be similar, think about if it makes sense to pay the extra money to have a lower deductible and copays.
  • Gold: With the gold plan, you will have lower deductibles and copays than other plans. Your monthly premiums will be higher, so it’s important to compare your monthly costs in addition to copays and a deductible to see if it makes the most sense. Gold plans can be popular for people who take expensive medications and use their health insurance more frequently. 


Don’t leave your healthcare to chance. Let AZ Health Insurance Brokers help you sign up and be a resource for you before, during and after the process. 


Use AZ Health Insurance Brokers for ACA Coverage


AZ Health Insurance Brokers is here to help you sign up for the best ACA health insurance plan for you and your family. When you use our site to sign up for ACA health coverage, you get an extra layer of customer service throughout the process to make things even easier. You can rest assured you’ll sign up for the best plan based on your budget and healthcare needs. If there are any issues, you can contact your representative at our office at any time, and we can access your application to fix the problem. 


Sign up for ACA health insurance online now. If you have any questions, call 602.617.4107, contact us online or email quotes@azhealthinsurance.com. We’re here to help.

ACA Marketplace Health Insurance Enrollment FAQs

  • How can I sign up for ACA health insurance?

    Use the free form on AZ Health Insurance Brokers to sign up for ACA health insurance and get free access to a personalized customer service representative in the process.

  • When is ACA marketplace open enrollment?

    ACA marketplace open enrollment starts November 1, 2024. The last day to enroll for coverage to start January 1, 2025, is December 15, 2024. Open enrollment ends January 15, 2025, which is the last day to enroll in or change marketplace plans for the year with coverage starting February 1. 

  • What is an ACA special enrollment period?

    An ACA special enrollment period enables someone to enroll in an ACA health insurance plan outside of the open enrollment period, at any time of year.

  • What are special enrollment period qualifying events?

    Special enrollment period qualifying events include having a baby, getting married, moving, losing health coverage, adopting a child, or having household income fall below a certain amount. 

  • Can I sign up for ACA health insurance on my own?

    Yes. You can sign up for ACA health insurance on your own on the federal marketplace website. Or, use the AZ Health Insurance Brokers free form to get a personalized customer service representative as you sign up, who provides free help before, during and after the signup process.

Two women are shaking hands in an office.
January 28, 2025
Learn the pros and cons of PEOs. Learn when it’s time to exit a PEO, how to get affordable group insurance for your business, and how to optimize costs.
Three women are sitting on a couch with laptops and papers.
January 23, 2025
If you want to offer group health insurance for employees at your business, read this guide. Learn how to get health insurance for workers in Arizona.
A woman wearing glasses is smiling in front of a whiteboard.
January 23, 2025
What is self funded health insurance for businesses? Learn how self-funded group health insurance works and if it could be good for your business.
A woman in a blue sweater is listening to music on her phone.
January 16, 2025
Is Surest insurance a good health plan? Learn about this health insurance product, with no deductibles and transparency into healthcare providers and pricing.
business partners posing
January 15, 2025
You could save on business taxes with an HRA 105 plan. Learn the answer to what is an HRA 105 plan, HRA 105 plan benefits and more.
A group of people are standing next to each other in front of a blackboard.
January 7, 2025
What is a TPA, short for third-party administrator, in health insurance? Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of a TPA in medical insurance.
a man and a woman are standing next to each other in front of a window .
January 6, 2025
Learn three common mistakes business owners make when renewing health insurance in Arizona. Need AZ health insurance? Contact us for a free consultation.
insurance agent working with client with insurance
December 30, 2024
Want to get health insurance for your business? Learn 4 reasons why working with a brokerage firm for business health insurance can set you up for success.
a woman is sitting on a couch in front of an apple laptop
December 19, 2024
Learn health insurance options for self-employed contractors, freelancers and business owners. Get info on COBRA, private plans, ACA and group health.
A woman is holding a laptop computer in her hands and smiling.
December 11, 2024
Some Arizona residents can choose Antidote for individual/family health insurance in Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace open enrollment. Learn more.
More Posts
Share by: