
Wisconsin residents have access to a range of affordable health insurance options through various companies.
According to data, the state has a high percentage of residents with health insurance coverage, with 91% of the population having some form of coverage in 2020.
Many health insurance companies in Wisconsin offer affordable options, including plans that cover essential health benefits, such as doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription medication.
Some companies, like UnitedHealthcare, offer plans with lower premiums for individuals and families who meet certain income requirements.
Broaden your view: Can Health Insurance Companies Deny Coverage
Top Health Insurance Companies
If you're looking for a reliable health insurance company in Wisconsin, WPS Health Solutions is definitely worth considering. Founded in 1946, they've been providing health insurance and related services to their customers for over 75 years.
WPS Health Solutions is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, and has a significant presence in the state. They offer Medicare supplement plans and work as a partner in health protection and care.
For another approach, see: Wisconsin Motorcycle Insurance
One of the notable facts about WPS Health Solutions is that they have a large headcount, ranging from 1001 to 5000 employees. This suggests that they have a substantial team working to support their customers.
If you're interested in learning more about WPS Health Solutions, you can visit their website at wpshealthsolutions.com or check out their LinkedIn page for more information.
Understanding Health Insurance Plans
Wisconsin residents have several health insurance plan options to choose from, each with its own unique features and benefits. Bronze plans are a great choice for those with few doctor visits and only need coverage for medical emergencies, with low monthly payments and a higher deductible.
Silver plans offer average monthly payments but a lower deductible than Bronze plans, making them ideal for individuals and smaller families with average healthcare needs. Silver plans also offer cost-sharing reductions for those who qualify.
Preventive care is covered at no cost to you when you see a doctor in your plan's network, including checkups, screenings, and vaccines. This can help you stay healthy and avoid costly medical bills down the line.
Suggestion: Business Health Insurance Cost
Basics
You can save on your health coverage costs with financial help through the Affordable Care Act, but you'll need to find out if you qualify.
Bronze health insurance plans feature low monthly payments with a higher deductible, making them a good option for individuals or couples who have few doctor visits and only need or want coverage for medical emergencies.
Some health insurance plans offer $0 virtual care, available 24/7, and $0 prescription drug coverage for some commonly-used drugs.
You may be able to get preventive care at no cost to you when you see a doctor in your plan's network, including checkups, screenings, and vaccines.
9 out of 10 people can save on the cost of health coverage by exploring their options and finding the right plan for them.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Long-term Care Insurance Policies
Silver Plans
Silver plans are a great option for individuals and smaller families with average healthcare needs. They have average monthly payments.
One of the benefits of Silver plans is that they have a lower deductible than Bronze plans. This means you'll pay less out-of-pocket before your insurance kicks in.
Silver plans also offer cost-sharing reductions for those who qualify. This can be a huge help for people who need financial assistance with their healthcare costs.
Health Insurance Benefits
Health insurance can be a lifesaver, especially when you know what to expect. Once you purchase a plan, you'll be covered for annual physicals and preventive care visits with providers in your network.
The deductible is the amount you pay each year before your plan starts to pay for covered services. This can vary depending on the plan you choose.
Preventive services are a great perk, as they're covered regardless of the deductible when provided by a doctor in your plan's network. This means you can get the care you need without breaking the bank.
Copays are fixed amounts you pay out-of-pocket for visits to in-network healthcare providers. The amount can vary depending on the provider or services you receive.
Coinsurance is the percentage you pay for covered healthcare services after you reach your deductible. For example, if the allowed amount for a service is $100 and your coinsurance is 20%, you'll pay $20 for that service.
The out-of-pocket maximum is the most you'll pay for covered healthcare services during the coverage year. If you reach this limit, your plan pays 100% of covered benefits.
A unique perspective: How Much Do Companies Pay for Health Insurance
Access to Health Insurance
To qualify for health coverage through the Wisconsin Marketplace, you must live in Wisconsin and be lawfully present in the United States. You also can't be incarcerated or enrolled in Medicare.
To qualify for financial assistance with your Marketplace plan, you must meet certain income requirements and not have access to affordable health coverage offered by an employer. If your employer offers coverage but you think it's too expensive, you can use their calculator to see if you might qualify for premium subsidies in the Marketplace.
Here are the key requirements for financial assistance:
- Not have access to affordable health coverage offered by an employer
- Not be eligible for enrollment in Medicaid/CHIP (BadgerCare)
- Not be eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A
- If married, file a joint tax return
- Not be able to be claimed by someone else as a tax dependent
Access To Care
You've got options when it comes to choosing a health plan in Wisconsin. Anthem plans support your healthcare with a range of choices of doctors, care centers, and hospitals.
With Anthem, you can even have a video visit with a doctor or therapist on your smartphone, tablet, or computer, making it easy to get the care you need from anywhere.
Recommended read: Managed Care Contracts and Insurance Companies
Our Blue Priority network is available to individuals residing in eight counties: Dane, Rock, Walworth, Brown, Manitowoc, Kewaunee, Door, and Oconto.
This network offers access to care providers throughout 58 counties across the state of Wisconsin, giving you a wide range of options for your healthcare needs.
If you live in 63 counties, you can opt for our Blue Preferred network, which offers our broadest network access across the state of Wisconsin.
This network includes statewide access to care, but it's not available to individuals and families residing in certain counties, including Dunn, Florence, Fond du lac, Jefferson, Juneau, Marinette, Oneida, Portage, and Trempealeau.
Recommended read: Washington Business Health Insurance
Who Can Purchase Marketplace?
To be eligible for health coverage through the Wisconsin Marketplace, you must live in Wisconsin, be lawfully present in the United States, not be incarcerated, and not be enrolled in Medicare.
You must also meet certain income requirements to qualify for financial assistance with your Marketplace plan. This includes not having access to affordable health coverage offered by an employer, unless you use the Employer Health Plan Affordability Calculator to see if you might qualify for premium subsidies in the Marketplace.
For another approach, see: Wisconsin Health Insurance Exchange
If you're married, you must file a joint tax return. You also can't be claimed by someone else as a tax dependent.
Here are the key eligibility requirements for Marketplace health insurance in Wisconsin:
- Live in Wisconsin
- Be lawfully present in the United States
- Not be incarcerated
- Not be enrolled in Medicare
- Not have access to affordable health coverage offered by an employer
- Not be eligible for enrollment in Medicaid/CHIP (BadgerCare)
- Not be eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A
- File a joint tax return if married
- Not be claimed by someone else as a tax dependent
Health Insurance Options
Wisconsin residents have a wide range of health insurance options to choose from, including individual and family plans that can be purchased year-round.
You can select from 14 insurers that offer Marketplace coverage in Wisconsin, including Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative, one of the few remaining ACA-created CO-OPs in the US.
These insurers offer a variety of plans, with most counties in Wisconsin having at least three options to choose from.
In addition to Marketplace plans, you can also consider supplemental plans for dental, vision, accident insurance, and more.
Short Term Medical plans are a flexible insurance solution for those between jobs, new college graduates, or experiencing other life events that leave them needing health insurance.
Additional reading: Health Insurance Companies in Massachusetts
These plans can provide fast coverage until you find long-term coverage.
Hospital & Doctor Fixed Indemnity Insurance can help with out-of-pocket medical costs like deductibles or copays, paying set cash amounts for qualified medical expenses.
Most plans include unlimited $0 virtual doctor visits 24/7 through a convenient app.
Dental insurance is available with no maximum age limits, covering preventive care, basic services, and major services, and can be paired with vision benefits.
Vision insurance has no maximum age restrictions, offering flexible plans that cover glasses, contacts, or both, with no waiting periods.
Accident Insurance can provide cash benefits for qualifying medical bills after an accident, giving you some additional coverage.
Critical Illness insurance can help with a cash benefit after a diagnosis of a qualified condition, and can be paired with other plans.
Hospital Indemnity insurance provides payment for each day in the hospital and other qualified expenses, letting you choose how to spend the money.
Term Life insurance can ease some of the financial burden your family might face without you, offering multiple terms and benefit levels.
Intriguing read: Premera Blue Cross Vision Providers
Temporary and Marketplace Coverage
In Wisconsin, short-term health plans provide temporary health insurance for consumers who may find themselves without comprehensive coverage.
Fourteen insurers offer individual and family plans in Wisconsin's exchange in 2025, which is the same number as in 2024, although UnitedHealthcare was a new addition for 2024.
One of Wisconsin's Marketplace insurers, Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative, is an ACA-created CO-OP and is one of only three CO-OPs still operational in the U.S.
In nearly every Wisconsin county, Marketplace enrollees can select from among at least three insurers' plans for 2025.
Marketplace Coverage Options
In Wisconsin, you have plenty of options when it comes to Marketplace coverage. Fourteen insurers offer individual and family plans in Wisconsin's exchange in 2025.
These insurers are the same ones that offered plans in 2024, with the exception of UnitedHealthcare, which was new for 2024. One of these insurers, Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative, is a CO-OP created by the ACA and is still operational, although this is a rare occurrence.
You can choose from at least three insurers' plans in nearly every Wisconsin county for 2025. In fact, in 2024, residents of every county could select from at least three insurers' plans, although some coverage areas were reduced for 2025.
Health Insurance Statistics
In Wisconsin, a record high of 266,327 people enrolled in private individual market plans through the state's exchange during the 2024 open enrollment period.
The American Rescue Plan played a significant role in this enrollment growth, offering more substantial and accessible subsidies through the end of 2025.
Over 72,000 people transitioned from Wisconsin Medicaid to a Marketplace plan by April 2024.
Are Premiums Increasing?
In Wisconsin, the average rate increase for Marketplace insurers in 2025 is 8.2%, calculated before subsidies are applied. This is based on the weighted average of rate changes approved for each insurer.
Some insurers have much higher rate increases than others. For example, Molina has a rate increase of 12.16%, while Aspirus Health Plan Inc has a rate increase of only 2.42%.
Over the years, full-price premiums in Wisconsin's individual/family health insurance market have fluctuated. In 2015, the average increase was 7%. In 2016, it jumped to 16.8%, and in 2017, it was 15.9%. The market saw a significant increase in 2018, with an average increase of 36%.
Here's a breakdown of the average premium changes in Wisconsin's individual/family health insurance market over time:
- 2015: Average increase of 7%
- 2016: Average increase of 16.8%
- 2017: Average increase of 15.9%
- 2018: Average increase of 36%
- 2019: Average decrease of 4.2%
- 2020: Average decrease of 3.2%
- 2021: Average decrease of 3.4%
- 2022: Average decrease of 0.3%
- 2023: Average increase of 7.7%
- 2024: Average increase of 6.8%
How Many Are Insured?
In Wisconsin, a record high of 266,327 people enrolled in private individual market plans through the state's exchange during the 2024 open enrollment period.
This is a notable increase in enrollment, and it's largely due to the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and the Inflation Reduction Act, which have made subsidies more significant and accessible through the end of 2025.
The ARP has been a game-changer for many people, making health insurance more affordable and accessible.
As a result of the ARP, nearly 72,000 people transitioned from Wisconsin Medicaid to a Marketplace plan by April 2024.
This shift in enrollment is a significant trend to watch, and it highlights the importance of affordable health insurance options.
Sources
- https://www.ruralmutual.com/insurance/health/
- https://www.inven.ai/company-lists/top-25-health-insurance-companies-in-wisconsin
- https://www.anthem.com/wi/individual-and-family/health-insurance
- https://www.uhone.com/health-insurance-plans-by-state/wisconsin
- https://www.healthinsurance.org/states/health-insurance-wisconsin/
Featured Images: pexels.com