Independent Health Insurance Review: Cheap Rates and Great Service
Independent Health has cheap rates and good service if you live in certain parts of Western New York.
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Pros and cons
Pros
Cheap rates
Most plans let you go out of network
Excellent customer service
Cons
Only available in Western New York
Some customers complain about claims service
How much is Independent Health insurance?
Independent Health is a good option for cheap health insurance in New York.
Its rates for Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum plans are cheaper than the average rates in New York state.
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Independent Health also sells Catastrophic plans, with an advertised rate of $341 per month.
Average rates for Independent Health plans
Plan tier | Independent Health | NY average |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $500 | $646 |
| Silver | $661 | $873 |
| Gold | $803 | $1,067 |
| Platinum | $970 | $1,343 |
But Medicare Advantage plans from Independent Health are more expensive than average. An Independent Health Medicare Advantage plan costs $78 per month, on average. The average rate for Medicare Advantage in New York is $42 per month.
Independent Health insurance plans
Independent Health sells Catastrophic, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum health plans.
The company also sells Medicare Advantage plans. But coverage is only available in the eight westernmost counties in New York:
- Allegany
- Cattaraugus
- Chautauqua
- Erie
- Genesee
- Niagara
- Orleans
- Wyoming
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In some counties, Independent Health has other plan options. In Erie County, for example, Independent Health offers Medicaid coverage. And in Erie and Niagara counties, Independent Health can help you get New York's free health insurance for people with low incomes who don't qualify for Medicaid, called the Essential Plan.
Independent Health insurance coverage by New York county
County | Coverage options |
|---|---|
| Allegany | Catastrophic, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum health plans Medicare Advantage |
| Cattaraugus | Catastrophic, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum health plans Medicare Advantage |
Independent Health also sells group health insurance to both large and small businesses. If your employer has a plan, your health insurance through work will be from Independent Health.
Where can I use my Independent Health plan?
If you buy a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum plan from Independent Health, you can use any doctor you'd like, even if they aren't in the plan's network. You'll pay more to see out-of-network doctors, but you'll still have some coverage. If you buy a Catastrophic plan, though, you have to see in-network doctors to have coverage.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan from Independent Health, you might have out-of-network coverage, but it depends on the plan. The company offers some plans with out-of-network coverage and some that require you to use in-network doctors only. If you travel often, it's important to choose a plan that lets you use your coverage at out-of-network offices.
Member resources and extra perks
Independent Health plans come with several useful perks, like discounts and health tools.
Some of the perks include:
- A mail-order pharmacy: Depending on your plan, you might be able to have your medications delivered through Wegmans or Proact Pharmacy Services.
- Discounts on health and fitness purchases: You might be able to save on fitness classes and gym memberships, weight loss programs, vitamins and supplements, acupuncture, healthy food and more.
- Money for fresh food: With some Independent Health plans, you can get up to $500 as a single person or $1,000 as a family per year to put toward buying fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Tools to manage your health: These include an app to help you manage overall health and chronic conditions, a program to help you track your fitness progress and goals, and info on various health conditions and topics.
Perks might vary based on the plan you buy, so be sure to check your paperwork. And you shouldn't choose a health plan just because of its perks. Make sure you choose a plan that works for your health needs and budgets, and let perks be nice extras.
Independent Health reviews and complaints
Independent Health has excellent customer satisfaction and very few complaints.
In 2023, there were very few complaints about the company's individual and family health insurance, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The company has also had excellent service records in past years, which means its service is consistently good.
Independent Health also has a 5.0 rating on HealthCare.gov, the highest rating possible. The ratings look at coverage quality and customer satisfaction. A 5.0 rating means that Independent Health plans have great coverage and customers are usually satisfied.
However, some people report issues with getting Independent Health to pay for medical care. Most people are happy with Independent Health, but it could be a good idea to talk to current members before buying a plan, if you can.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Independent Health insurance cost?
A Silver plan from Independent Health costs $661 per month, on average. That's $212 cheaper each month than the New York state average for a Silver plan, $873 per month. Independent Health has cheap health insurance rates, but its Medicare Advantage plans are expensive at $78 per month.
Is Independent Health insurance individual coverage?
Independent Health sells health insurance for individuals and families. You can also get a child-only policy in Erie and Niagara counties in New York.
Should I get an Independent Health quote?
If you live in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans or Wyoming county in Western New York, it's a good idea to get a quote from Independent Health. The company has cheap rates and good service, plus some useful perks. Getting a quote doesn't mean you have to buy a policy, so there's no risk to seeing if an Independent Health plan is right for you.
Methodology and sources
ValuePenguin calculated Independent Health insurance rates and New York average rates using data from NY State of Health, New York's state health insurance marketplace. All rates are monthly averages for a 40-year-old who doesn't smoke and has a Silver plan, unless otherwise noted.
Medicare Advantage rates are from the public use files (PUFs) from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Rates are for plans that include drug coverage. Employer-sponsored plans, Medicare medical savings account (MSA) plans, Medicare-Medicaid plans, PACE plans, Part-B-only plans, prepayment plans (HCPPs), sanctioned plans and special needs plans (SNPs) are not included in the average rates.
Other sources include HealthCare.gov ratings, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Yelp and Trustpilot customer reviews.
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.