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About Moda
Moda Health was founded in 1955 as a dental insurance plan under the name Oregon Dental Society (ODS). While the company continues to offer dental insurance, they also moved into the health insurance market, and in 2013 took on the name Moda Health. Moda expanded brand awareness with a sponsorship deal for the Portland Trailblazers that renamed their stadium to the Moda Center, a landmark in the city of Portland.
Moda offered health insurance plans through employers and directly to individuals in three states – Oregon, Washington, and Alaska – until 2016 when the company stopped selling insurance in Washington. During this same time period, Moda faced sanctions from the other two states in which it sells insurance due to financial difficulties. Moda successfully sued the federal government for promised financial assistance that led to the company’s difficulties and is once again writing new policies in Alaska and Oregon.
Moda’s current plans include individual and family PPO coverage, Medicare, and a dental insurance through a partnership with Delta Dental. Products are sold directly through the company website and over the phone, as well as through the insurance marketplace.
Moda Products
Moda’s health care plans are managed care with a primary care provider but do not require a referral to see a specialist. Their Beacon network offers providers within a range of different well-known local medical groups, and out-of-network coverage is available, usually after the deductible is met. Plans are offered at bronze, silver, and gold levels. Dental plans can be purchased separately through partner Delta Dental.
We researched the plans based on the zip code of Moda’s Portland, Oregon headquarters.
Standard Plans
Oregon Standard Bronze is the only option at the bronze level and features higher deductibles and copays in return for lower monthly rates. The individual deductible under this plan is $7,150 and the family deductible $14,300; these are also the out of pocket limits for the plan. A primary care visit carries a $70 copay, while a specialist visit carries a $115 copay.
The Oregon Standard Silver has deductibles of $2,500 per person and $5,000 family. Copays are $35 for a primary care visit and $70 for a specialist visit.
The Oregon Standard Gold plan has the lowest out of pocket costs of the standard plans, but higher monthly premiums. Deductibles are $1,000 individual and $2,000 family, with copays of $20 for a primary care visit and $40 for a specialist visit.
Other Plans
The Moda “Be” plans are offered with four different choices, although there is no bronze plan available.
The Be Steady plan is a silver-level product with deductibles at $3,650 individual and $7,300 family. Rather than copays, this plan has 25% coinsurance for all office visits.
The Be Prepared plan is also a silver-level plan. This plan has lower deductibles at $2,250 individual and $4,500 family. Copays are $30 for both primary care and specialist visits.
The Be Protected plan is a gold-level plan with deductibles that match the Standard Gold plan at $1,000/$2,000, but lower copays. Primary care visits are $15, and specialist visits are the same
The final choice is the Be Integrated plan, which is also a gold plan. This plan has Moda’s lowest deductibles at $500 per person and $1,000 per family, but the copays are higher than with the Be Protected plan, instead matching the Standard Gold at $40 for primary care and $40 specialist.
Dental Plans
There are four available Delta Dental plan options, all of which are PPO plans. All but one are zero-deductible plans; the Delta Dental Premier plan has a $50 deductible.
The Delta Dental PPO Bright Smiles is the only plan without an annual maximum for coverage. Plan coverage ranges from 100% coverage to 50% coinsurance depending on the option chosen.
Moda Rates
We obtained rates based on a single 30-year-old insured with no dependents. Moda’s least expensive plan, the Bronze Standard, came back at $312 per month for this sample. The Gold Be Integrated plan was the most expensive at $390 per month.
The difference in cost between the plans is not as great as we would expect given the disparity in deductibles and copay amounts, as well as out of pocket maximums. Overall, we found the lower end plans to be fairly expensive and the higher end plans a better value, based on the limited information offered.
As Moda only covers a small region, we are unable to compare them to our usual sample rates or on a national level.
Claims
Moda handles all claims internally, as do all health insurance companies, although there may be more involved with dental claims on the PPO network than with those going through the medical Beacon network.
Out-of-network claims may take longer to process than in-network, but should also be handled directly by the provider.
Ratings and Consumer Reviews
Moda currently has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). There have been 35 complaints filed in the past three years, eight of which were closed in the last 12 months. These numbers are low for a company the size of Moda.
Moda does not appear on any of the major review sites, but there are reviews on Yelp under the old name, ODS. While there are many negative reviews, there are also quite a few positive reviews, which is always encouraging. The lack of other reviews is likely due to both the name change and the fact that Moda has not been in the health insurance market for very long.
Moda’s financial woes are most apparent in a reviews and rating search of the company, however, their victory in court over government funding is likely to tilt things back in their favor.
The Bottom Line
Moda is one of the larger insurers in Oregon and is in the process of recovering from financial difficulties. Their plans are on the expensive side, but the higher coverage plans do not carry much larger premiums than lower end ones, making them a potentially good value. Moda may need some more time to settle into the market and get past the stain of financial problems before they can be completely recommended, but they do appear to be on the right track.
For a list of companies that we recommend, visit our Best Insurance Companies page.
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Review Information
I am a former insurance agent and banker turned consumer advocate. My priority is to help educate individuals and families about the different types of insurance they need, and assist them in finding the best place to get it.
Larry morrison says
Moda is irresponsible and does not authorize claims. They hire another firm to authorize claims who are on the east coast and the Eastern time zone. When our neurosurgeon questioned them last week about a needed and necessary MRI they said their computers were down and we had to wait for another week and travel an additional 350miles. I have found Moda to be irresponsible and non-responsive to peoples needs.
jonathan says
I am currently insured with Health-Net 1 Violet Plan with a monthly premium of 105.00 . I am a male 87 years old and receive V.A. health benefits and am also covered under Medicare. I am considering a Plan with Moda that has a low cost premium of just 16.00 a month. Any comments and suggestions?