How Do I Buy an Individual Health Insurance Plan?

There are two times when you can buy health insurance — during open enrollment and special enrollment. 

Open enrollment starts on Nov. 1 each year. Any other sign-up time falls under special enrollment. To buy health insurance during special enrollment, you must have a qualifying "life event" within the past 60 days. Examples include losing your job, moving to a new area, getting married or having a child. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana offers tools to help you find a plan that's right for you. Use the Provider Finder and premium tax estimator to see your choices. They make shopping for health insurance simpler. Visit bcbsmt.com to view and compare the BCBSMT family and individual health insurance plans available to you — even plans offered on the Health Insurance Marketplace.

With Provider Finder^® , you can search our large network of doctors, dentists, hospitals and more. You can even look for in-network doctors who are with the plan you're thinking about buying. If you already have a doctor you want to stick with, use the tool to see if your current doctor is in-network for the plan you’re considering.

The premium tax estimator helps you know how much financial assistance you may qualify for based on your income and household size. Remember, this premium tax credit amount is just an estimate. The amount of your official premium tax credit will come from the Health Insurance Marketplace.

If you take any prescription drugs, check the prescription drug lists to make sure the plan covers your medications.

After you choose a plan that fits your budget, medical and prescription drug needs, track your application status with enrollment tracker. 

Visit our website to shop plans, or if online shopping isn’t your thing, give us a call instead at 855-591-1515.

Originally published 4/1/2015; Revised 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024