How Much Is Health Insurance in Kansas per Month?

Health insurance costs in Kansas vary significantly, reflecting a complex interplay of individual circumstances and market dynamics. There is no single average monthly premium that applies to everyone, as numerous factors influence the final price an individual or family pays. Understanding these elements is important for estimating potential healthcare expenditures, as costs are highly personalized.

Factors Affecting Your Monthly Premium

Several factors directly influence the monthly premium for health insurance coverage. Age is a significant determinant, as premiums generally increase with a person’s age. For instance, costs rise slowly in early adulthood, but after age 40, they begin to climb more steeply, with 60-year-olds potentially paying more than twice as much as 40-year-olds for the same plan. Where an individual resides within Kansas also affects premiums, as the state is divided into seven rating areas where local healthcare costs and competition can lead to varying prices. For example, some counties in the Kansas City metro region may have lower average premiums compared to those in the southwestern part of the state.

Tobacco use can also result in higher premiums, as insurers are permitted to levy surcharges on individuals who use tobacco products. The specific type of health plan and its metal tier (Bronze, Silver, Gold) significantly determine monthly cost. These tiers indicate the trade-off between premium and out-of-pocket expenses, with lower premiums typically meaning higher out-of-pocket costs.

The structure of a plan’s cost-sharing features, including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, directly impacts the premium. A deductible is the amount an individual must pay for covered services before their insurance plan begins to pay. Copayments are fixed amounts paid for specific services, like a doctor’s visit or prescription. Coinsurance represents a percentage of the cost of a covered service that an individual pays after meeting their deductible. Plans with higher deductibles and coinsurance rates generally feature lower monthly premiums.

The size and type of the plan’s provider network also influence premiums. Plans with narrower networks, such as Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPOs) or Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), often have lower monthly costs compared to plans that offer broader access to providers. Finally, the number of individuals covered under a plan, or family size, directly increases the total premium. Adding dependents, especially children under 15, will raise the premium, although children are typically less expensive to insure than adults.

Average Costs by Plan Type

The average monthly cost of health insurance in Kansas varies considerably based on the chosen plan type, particularly the metal tier. Bronze plans offer the lowest premiums but have the highest out-of-pocket costs, meaning individuals pay a larger share of medical bills. For a 30-year-old, the average Bronze premium in Kansas is around $425 per month, while a 27-year-old might expect to pay about $441 per month.

Silver plans offer a balance between monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs, making them a common choice for many individuals. These plans generally cover about 70% of expected costs. The average monthly premium for a 40-year-old in Kansas with a Silver plan is approximately $642. For a family of four, consisting of two 40-year-old adults and two children under 15, a Silver plan could average around $2,053 per month.

Gold plans feature higher monthly premiums but offer lower out-of-pocket costs when medical care is needed, as they cover around 80% of expected costs. These plans are often suitable for individuals who anticipate needing more frequent medical services. For instance, a 60-year-old in Kansas might face an average Gold plan premium of $1,354 per month. Platinum plans are the highest tier, with the highest premiums and lowest out-of-pocket expenses, covering about 90% of expected costs.

Catastrophic plans are another option, characterized by very low monthly premiums but extremely high deductibles. These plans are only available to individuals under 30 years old or those who qualify for a hardship exemption, and they typically cover three primary care visits before the deductible is met. Many individuals also obtain health insurance through employer-sponsored plans. In these arrangements, employers often cover a substantial portion of the monthly premium, which significantly reduces the employee’s direct contribution.

Enrollment Options and Financial Help

Individuals in Kansas have several avenues for enrolling in health insurance and reducing monthly premium costs. The primary platform for individuals and families to shop for plans and access financial assistance is the Health Insurance Marketplace, accessible through Healthcare.gov. Open enrollment for Marketplace plans typically runs from November 1 to January 15 each year.

Premium Tax Credits (subsidies) are a key form of financial assistance available through the Marketplace, directly reducing the monthly premium for eligible individuals and families. Eligibility for these credits generally extends to those with household incomes between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). For example, in 2024, a family of four with an income between $31,200 and $124,800 might qualify for these credits. The Inflation Reduction Act has extended enhanced subsidies through 2025, which cap the percentage of household income spent on a benchmark Silver plan premium at 8.5%. Individuals with incomes between 100% and 150% of the FPL may even qualify for plans with very low or no monthly premiums.

Another form of financial assistance is Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSRs), which help lower out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. CSRs are available to individuals and families with incomes between 100% and 250% of the FPL. These reductions only apply to Silver plans purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Medicaid (KanCare in Kansas) and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide health coverage for low-income individuals and families, often with very low or no monthly premiums. Kansas has not expanded Medicaid to cover all low-income adults. Eligibility for KanCare is generally limited to specific groups, including children (up to 166% FPL), pregnant women (up to 166% FPL), and parents with very low incomes (up to 38% FPL). Many non-disabled, non-pregnant adults without minor children do not qualify for Medicaid in Kansas, creating a coverage gap for this population.

While plans can be purchased directly from insurers or brokers outside the Marketplace, financial assistance like Premium Tax Credits and Cost-Sharing Reductions are typically only available through Healthcare.gov. The Health Insurance Marketplace is the recommended enrollment channel for those seeking subsidies.