▶Watch: Private PPO vs. ACA Marketplace — which is right for you? (50 sec)
Can you still get private health insurance in Arizona? Yes — and in 2026 it matters more than ever. Arizona marketplace rates jumped a weighted average of 46.3% this year — among the steepest increases in the nation — right as the enhanced federal subsidies expired. If you don't qualify for a subsidy, comparing every private option is worth real money. We compare private medical plans side by side with HealthCare.gov marketplace coverage, statewide.
Open enrollment for 2027 HealthCare.gov coverage in Arizona runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1; enroll by January 15 for a February 1 start. Plans, prices, and networks change by ZIP code, so we quote every marketplace plan at your address, check your 2027 premium tax credit, and enroll you at no cost.
For 2026, seven carriers sell individual and family plans in Arizona: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Ambetter (Arizona Complete Health), Oscar, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Imperial Insurance, and Antidote Health — with availability varying by county. Two big changes hit this year: Aetna exited the individual market entirely, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona discontinued its PPO plans, moving to HMO-only.
Plan availability, networks, and hospital access differ sharply between metros. Start with your area:
Mayo Clinic, Banner Health, St. Joseph's & Barrow Neurological, HonorHealth, Phoenix Children's — and how 2026 changed the Valley's options.
Banner – University Medical Center, TMC HealthCare, Carondelet, Northwest Medical Center — Southern Arizona's 2026 market explained.
With the enhanced federal subsidies expired and rates up sharply, many Arizona households are paying full price for the first time. Your exact premium depends on your age, ZIP code, and household size — which is why we quote every carrier and every route to coverage before recommending anything.
In Arizona, this option matters more than anywhere: with no PPOs left in the individual market, true employer-level group coverage is the remaining path to PPO flexibility. Many Arizonans — especially the self-employed, independent contractors, and small-business owners — qualify for group coverage regulated under federal ERISA and Department of Labor rules. Qualifying as a bona fide employee takes only a few basic requirements — full-time work is not required — and pre-existing conditions are covered, just as with any employer group plan. You get the same kind of group PPO coverage large employers offer, with nationwide networks like Cigna, Multiplan/PHCS, Aetna, First Choice Health, and in some states Blue Cross with national Blue Card, and enrollment is open year-round, not just during open enrollment. Availability is subject to eligibility. Call us to see if you qualify.
One of the most common questions we hear from Phoenix and Scottsdale shoppers: which health insurance plans let me see Mayo Clinic in Arizona? Mayo Clinic's Phoenix and Scottsdale campuses contract mainly with employer-level and national PPO networks — not the narrow HMO and EPO networks that make up Arizona's individual market. That is why many Arizonans who buy their own coverage find Mayo Clinic out-of-network on their marketplace plan.
We work with a range of private PPO plans — employer-level group PPOs and other exclusive plans generally not published online — on national PPO networks that can include Mayo Clinic Arizona. If Mayo Clinic access matters to you — for cancer care, cardiology, neurology, transplant evaluation, or ongoing specialist care — tell us up front and we will shop the private health insurance options that include Mayo Clinic, then confirm it for your exact plan before you apply.
The honest answer: it depends on your subsidy. If you qualify for a meaningful premium tax credit, a marketplace plan through HealthCare.gov is usually the better value. If you get little or no subsidy — the situation many Arizona households found themselves in after the enhanced credits expired at the end of 2025 — an off-exchange private medical plan or employer-level group coverage frequently wins on network, price, or both. A five-minute comparison settles it, and our service is free either way.
Between 55 and 65 and not on Medicare yet? Early retirees in Arizona, people between jobs, and anyone whose spouse is moving to Medicare can compare private PPO, ACA, and COBRA options side by side in our guide to health insurance before Medicare.
Yes. Beyond on- and off-exchange marketplace plans, we also offer exclusive private, employer-group (ERISA) PPO options with nationwide networks like Cigna, Multiplan/PHCS, Aetna, First Choice Health, and in some states Blue Cross with national Blue Card. These plans aren’t published on the public marketplace, enrollment is open year-round, and availability is subject to eligibility. Call us to see if you qualify.
Yes. Every ACA-compliant private plan covers pre-existing conditions — no medical questions, no exclusions. ERISA employer-level group plans cover pre-existing conditions as well, just as with any employer coverage.
Mayo Clinic Arizona contracts mainly with employer-level and national PPO networks, so many Arizona individual-market HMO and EPO plans do not include it. Private PPO plans on national PPO networks can offer Mayo Clinic access for those who qualify. Network status is plan-specific, so we confirm Mayo Clinic is in-network for your exact plan before you enroll.
Not in the individual market for 2026 — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona discontinued its PPOs, leaving HMOs and EPOs only. PPO coverage remains available through employer-level ERISA group plans for those who qualify.
Marketplace and off-exchange ACA plans: during the annual fall open enrollment period, or year-round within 60 days of a qualifying life event. Employer-level ERISA group plans: enrollment is open year-round for those who qualify. We also have other exclusive, proprietary private healthcare PPO plan options beyond what is published online. Contact us for specific details.
No. Premiums are identical with or without an agent — carriers pay us, not you. You get the comparison and enrollment help at no cost.
Compare Every Private Health Plan Available at Your Arizona ZIP Code
Free comparison from a licensed advisor — marketplace, off-exchange, and employer-level coverage buy-in options.
Call (800) 939-3330 Get My Plan Options
Plus exclusive, proprietary private healthcare PPO options generally not published online — click Get My Plan Options or call us for details.
Rate change figures are 2026 weighted averages from Arizona regulatory filings; premiums vary by age, ZIP code, and household size. Employer-level group plan availability subject to eligibility requirements.
