Can you still get private health insurance in Phoenix? 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, on- and off-exchange and beyond, is worth real money. We compare private medical plans side by side with HealthCare.gov marketplace coverage — here is how the Phoenix market actually looks this year.
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.
That makes plan selection in Phoenix mostly a question of networks: which HMO or EPO actually includes your doctors and hospitals — and whether you qualify for coverage outside the individual market entirely.
Phoenix has one of the strongest hospital line-ups in the Southwest, and network access varies sharply by plan:
Consistently ranked the #1 hospital in Arizona and among the best in the nation — world-class oncology, cardiology, and complex-care destination medicine.
Arizona's largest health system — Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix anchors academic medicine with the University of Arizona.
Dignity Health's St. Joseph's is home to the Barrow Neurological Institute, one of the world's leading neuroscience centers.
Scottsdale and north Phoenix — highly regarded heart care, orthopedics, and a Level I trauma center.
One of the largest children's health systems in the country, nationally ranked across pediatric specialties.
Whether these systems are in your network depends entirely on which plan you choose — and it changes year to year. With Arizona's individual market now HMO/EPO-only, this is the single most important question to answer. Before you enroll, we verify your doctors and preferred hospitals against each plan's current network so there are no surprises.
With the enhanced federal subsidies expired and rates up sharply, many Phoenix 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 Phoenix residents — 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.
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 Phoenix 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.
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.
Network access to Phoenix's major systems depends on the specific plan, and it changes year to year — especially now that the individual market is HMO/EPO-only. We verify your doctors and hospitals against each plan's current network before you enroll.
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 Phoenix ZIP Code
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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.
