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From red rock canyons to snowy mountain slopes, Utah offers stunning natural beauty and a strong sense of community. As of 2025, the state continues to improve access to healthcare, with more residents enrolling in coverage through public and private options. If you’re currently without insurance in Utah, here’s what you need to know to get covered.
Health Insurance Options in Utah
Utah offers a variety of health insurance options tailored to its residents’ needs. Your best path to coverage depends on your age, income, job situation, and household size.
Employer-Sponsored Insurance
Many Utahns receive health insurance through their workplace. If your employer offers a health plan, it’s often the most affordable and convenient route to coverage.
ACA Marketplace Plans
Individuals and families without employer-based coverage can shop for health plans through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. These ACA-compliant plans include essential health benefits like preventive care, mental health services, and prescription drugs.
If you meet income qualifications, you may be eligible for financial assistance. Use our ACA Subsidy Calculator to see if you qualify for premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions.
Starting this year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is requiring income verification to confirm eligibility for premium subsidies. As part of this effort, CMS will reduce the ACA subsidies by $5 per month for individuals who are automatically re-enrolled in fully subsidized plans without verified eligibility.
ACA Plan Types
ACA Marketplace plans in Utah are organized into metal tiers. These determine your balance of monthly premium versus out-of-pocket costs.
- Bronze: Lower premiums, higher out-of-pocket costs. Ideal for minimal medical usage.
- Silver: Balanced costs. Eligible for cost-sharing reductions if you qualify.
- Gold: Higher monthly premiums but lower costs when receiving care.
- Platinum (if available): Highest premiums, lowest out-of-pocket costs. Best for those who need regular care.
Metal Tier Breakdown:
| Metal Tier | Insurance Pays | You Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 60% | 40% |
| Silver | 70% | 30% |
| Gold | 80% | 20% |
| Platinum | 90% | 10% |
Medicaid
Medicaid in Utah provides free or low-cost coverage for qualifying residents, including low-income adults, children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities. Coverage includes preventive care, hospital stays, mental health services, and prescriptions.
Utah expanded Medicaid to include childless adults who meet income guidelines. Apply at any time of year if you qualify.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Utah CHIP covers children in families who earn too much for Medicaid but still need affordable care. Benefits include vision, dental, hearing, wellness visits, prescriptions, and hospital care. Some families may pay small premiums or copays, but many qualify for low or no-cost coverage.
Student Health Insurance
College students in any state have multiple health insurance options, including staying on a parent’s plan until age 26, enrolling in a school-sponsored plan, or applying for coverage through the ACA Marketplace. Depending on your income and location, you may also qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or low-cost catastrophic or short-term plans, making Utah student health insurance accessible and flexible for a wide range of needs.
Medicare
Residents aged 65+ and certain younger individuals with disabilities can enroll in Medicare. Utah beneficiaries can choose among:
- Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare offered by private insurers to those enrolled in Parts A and B. These plans often include extra benefits and cost protections but typically require using a specific network of providers.
- Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)
- Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage for anyone with Medicare, helping pay for medications and many vaccines. Offered by private insurers, these plans vary in cost and coverage and can be joined during specific enrollment periods.
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
- Medicare Supplement plans, or Medigap policies, help cover the out-of-pocket costs that Medicare Part A and Part B don’t pay. Since Original Medicare (Parts A and B) lacks an out-of-pocket maximum, these plans can limit your expenses for medical services.
COBRA Coverage
Recently lost your job? You may be eligible for COBRA, which allows you to keep your employer-sponsored health plan for a limited time—though typically at full cost.
Short-Term Plans
Short-term medical (STM) plans offer flexible, low-cost coverage for up to four months, ideal for healthy individuals in transition. However, STM plans aren’t guaranteed issue, lack subsidies, and may exclude key benefits like maternity, mental health, and pre-existing conditions—making them less suitable for long-term or comprehensive needs.
Explore all non-ACA health plans that may fit your needs and lifestyle.
Enrollment Periods in Utah
Open Enrollment for 2026 Coverage:
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026
During this time, you can apply for, renew, or switch ACA Marketplace plans.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP):
You may qualify to enroll outside of Open Enrollment if you experience a Qualifying Life Event (QLE), such as:
- Job loss
- Marriage or divorce
- Birth or adoption of a child
- Relocation
- Major change in income
You typically have 60 days from the event to apply.
Health Insurance Providers in Utah
As of 2025, Utah residents can typically access individual and family ACA plans from:
- Cigna
- Molina Healthcare of Utah
- Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah
- SelectHealth
- University of Utah Health Insurance Plans
Availability may vary by location. Be sure to compare plans by county and ZIP code for the most accurate offerings.
Understanding Health Insurance Costs
When reviewing plans, familiarize yourself with key cost terms:
- Premium: The monthly cost to keep your plan active.
- Deductible: What you must pay before insurance covers most services.
- Copayment (Copay): A fixed cost per visit or prescription.
- Coinsurance: Your share of costs after meeting your deductible.
- Out-of-Pocket Maximum: The most you’ll pay annually for covered care.
- In-Network vs. Out-of-Network: Using in-network providers helps you avoid extra charges.
Understanding health insurance doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This glossary offers clear definitions of key terms—from agents to costs like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles—to help you make confident coverage decisions.
Bottom Line
Utah residents have a wide range of health insurance choices—from employer-sponsored coverage and ACA Marketplace plans to public programs like Medicaid and Medicare. By understanding your options and enrolling during the correct periods, you can secure the coverage that best supports your health and budget.
Need help picking a plan? Use our ACA Subsidy Calculator or talk to a licensed insurance agent to explore your best options.
