Health insurance can be obtained from a variety of services and providers. There are several different types of private insurance plans and public programmes to choose from while considering expanding health care coverage.
Enrolling in the federal Medicaid programme is the cheapest option for health insurance, but eligibility is determined by the state you live in as well as your income level. Individual health insurance, which is available through your state's marketplace, is the best deal for many people. On this exchange, you can look for and compare low-cost health insurance plans from a variety of providers.
Medicaid is the most affordable health insurance option for those who qualify. Your household income must be less than 133 percent or 138 percent of the federal poverty level in order to be eligible for the federal insurance programme (FPL). Because some states have passed legislation to expand their Medicaid programmes to more low-income adults, the exact eligibility level depends on where you live.
Individual policy, which can be bought via the state's exchanges, is the cheapest health insurance with complete medical benefits for those that are not qualified for Medicaid. Full benefits indicate that these health insurance policies offer extensive coverage for all ten critical health benefits mandated by the Affordable Care Act. The following are the top ten essential health benefits:
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Services for the general public | Prescription medications |
Assistance in an emergency | Resources for Rehabilitation |
Admission to a hospital | Services in the laboratory |
Treatment for mothers and newborns | Services for prevention and well-being |
Treatment for mental illness and drug abuse | Services for children |
Take note of this: |
The plan with the lowest premium is not necessarily the cheapest health insurance package. Instead, the most affordable alternative is the package that offers the correct amount of health insurance coverage at the best cost based on your medical conditions and health. |
We compared individual health insurance options available across all state health insurance marketplaces to find the most affordable alternative at each level of coverage. If you do not already have coverage through your employer or the federal government, you can purchase it through the marketplace.
The most competitive options available on the state insurance market are bronze metal level health insurance policies. Although their prices are lower than that of other deductibles and non-packages, they have the lowest premium. In the following year, we do not propose a bronze system, thus, if you intend to incur substantial medical costs. You may have noticed that your state has a catastrophic health insurance programme. This is an even lower-cost marketplace health insurance plan that is only available if you are under 30 years old or have a hardship exemption.
Silver health care options are in the centre of the spectrum, including low premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums. Because of cost-sharing reductions, which enable qualifying consumers to earn savings in the amount they spend in premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums, a Silver plan is the most effective medical care for many low-income households. If your family income is less than 250 percent of the federal poverty line, you are eligible for tax exemptions. This will greatly lower costs, making the Silver option an ideal alternative for multiple households.
Gold health insurance premiums are often the most costly plans available on your state's marketplace. Gold policies, on the other hand, have the lowest deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. As a result, if you anticipate high medical costs over the plan year, a Gold health insurance policy will help you save money. For example, if you need to refill an expensive medication prescription on a monthly basis, Gold health insurance should be considered. If you anticipate seeing a lot of medical costs, you should think about getting Platinum health insurance. Platinum plans have extremely high premiums but the lowest deductibles — often none. These plans, however, are not available in all nations.
A package that offers reasonable health care for you and your family is the most affordable health insurance programme for you. In most cases, this ensures that it protects the essentials, but it is still available in the event of a major medical emergency that becomes costly during the plan year. If you are purchasing coverage through the health insurance marketplace, we suggest starting your quest for a Silver health insurance policy. As previously stated, these policies include low premiums and out-of-pocket costs in the event that you or a loved one becomes ill or injured. Furthermore, the deductibles on Silver policies are usually smaller and easier to meet.
State | Cheapest company | Cheapest Silver plan | Monthly cost for a 40-year-old |
Alabama | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama | Blue Cross Select Silver | $452 |
Alaska | Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska | Premera Blue Cross Preferred Silver 3000 HSA | $658 |
Arizona | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona | Blue AdvanceHealth Silver - PimaFocus Network | $330 |
Arkansas | Ambetter from Arkansas Health & Wellness | Ambetter Balanced Care 12 (2021) | $387 |
California | Kaiser Permanente | Silver 70 HMO | $325 |
Colorado | Kaiser Permanente | KP CO Silver 2500/25 | $278 |
Connecticut | ConnectiCare | Choice Silver Standard POS | $479 |
Delaware | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware | Health Savings Embedded Blue EPO Silver 3450 HSA | $522 |
Florida | Oscar | Oscar Silver Saver | $408 |
Georgia | CareSource | CareSource Marketplace Low Premium Silver | $416 |
Hawaii | Kaiser Permanente | KP HI Silver 4000/45 | $467 |
Idaho | Blue Cross of Idaho | CPN North Central Silver 6000 | $467 |
Illinois | Bright Health | Silver 5000 | $337 |
Indiana | Ambetter from MHS | Ambetter Balanced Care 29 (2021) | $329 |
Iowa | Oscar | Oscar Silver Saver | $457 |
Kansas | Ambetter from Sunflower Health Plan | Ambetter Balanced Care 12 (2021) | $441 |
Kentucky | Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | Anthem Silver Pathway X Transition HMO 4650 for HSA | $406 |
Louisiana | CHRISTUS Health Plan | CHP LA Basic Silver - Two Free PCP Visits | $407 |
Maine | Harvard Pilgrim Health Care | Maine's Choice Plus HMO Silver 6500 | $392 |
Maryland | Kaiser Permanente | KP MD Silver 3200/20%/HSA/Vision | $339 |
Massachusetts | BMC HealthNet Plan | Standard Silver: BMC HealthNet Plan Silver A II | $344 |
Michigan | Ambetter from Meridian | Ambetter Balanced Care 12 (2021) | $292 |
Minnesota | UCare | UCare M Health Fairview Silver HSA | $265 |
Mississippi | Ambetter from Magnolia Health | Ambetter Balanced Care 12 (2021) | $419 |
Missouri | Cigna Healthcare | Cigna Connect 5500 | $413 |
Montana | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana | Blue Focus Silver POS℠ 206 | $356 |
Nebraska | Medica | Medica with CHI Health Silver Copay | $527 |
Nevada | Friday Health Plans | Friday Silver | $352 |
New Hampshire | Ambetter from New Hampshire Healthy Families | Ambetter Balanced Care 11 (2021) | $325 |
New Jersey | Horizon | OMNIA Silver Value | $388 |
New Mexico | Molina Healthcare | Constant Care Silver 1 | $313 |
New York | Fidelis Care | Fidelis Care, Silver, ST, INN, Fidelis Care HBX Network, Pediatric Dental, Dep25, Free Telemedicine | $473 |
North Carolina | Bright Health | Silver 5000 | $373 |
North Dakota | Medica | Altru Prime by Medica Silver Copay | $400 |
Ohio | Ambetter from Buckeye Health | Ambetter Balanced Care 29 (2021) | $311 |
Oklahoma | Bright Health | Silver 5000 | $476 |
Oregon | Providence Health Plan | Connect 4500 Silver | $402 |
Pennsylvania | Highmark Coverage Advantage Inc | Together Blue EPO Silver 3450 HSA | $343 |
Rhode Island | Neighborhood Health Plan | Neighborhood COMMUNITY | $328 |
South Carolina | Ambetter from Absolute Total Care | Ambetter Balanced Care 29 (2021) | $391 |
South Dakota | Sanford Health Plan | Sanford TRUE $4,750 | $473 |
Tennessee | Cigna Healthcare | Cigna Connect 7300 | $428 |
Texas | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas | MyBlue Health Silver℠ 405 | $381 |
Utah | SelectHealth | Value Benchmark Silver 6500 - no deductible for office visits | $443 |
Vermont | MVP Health Care | MVP VT Plus Reflective Silver 1 | $574 |
Virginia | Cigna Healthcare | Cigna Connect 6500 | $392 |
Washington | Coordinated Care | Ambetter Balanced Care 1 (2021) | $344 |
West Virginia | CareSource | CareSource Marketplace Low Premium Silver | $508 |
Wisconsin | Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative | Envision - Silver 7000/75 | $343 |
Wyoming | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming | BlueSelect Silver Balance | $647 |
Your household income determines the most affordable health insurance. If your income is less than 138 percent of the federal poverty line, enrolling in Medicaid is the most cost-effective alternative. This is a federally subsidised health care programme that offers medical services to low-income people. For those who are not eligible for this option, your state's marketplace, as well as off-exchange options, such as short-term health insurance policies, which provide the most affordable alternative. It's important to remember that the cheapest health insurance plan isn't necessarily the best one for you. As a result, before purchasing a health insurance policy, you can analyse your medical conditions in order to find the best value coverage.
Short-term health insurance is less expensive than health coverage on the open market. These plans have low monthly premiums, but the policies can only last a few months — up to a year at most, depending on the state's short-term health insurance laws. Another factor contributing to the lower cost is that short-term health insurance is not expected to have the same health coverage as individual care policies. These health insurance premiums usually do not cover any of the basic health benefits provided by the Affordable Care Act insurance available via the state's marketplace.
Students frequently have access to additional health care plans. Many colleges and universities provide students free health care via a school-sponsored scheme. Many on-campus medical facilities are covered by these rules, but if you become a part-time student or switch schools, you may lose coverage. Any students can also choose to buy a student health plan. Full-time students between the ages of 17 and 29 are eligible for these health care plans. Many major health insurance providers sell plans, which are paid for by an annual or semiannual fee. Since you won't lose your coverage if you move to another school, a student health plan can be a great low-cost medical insurance choice.
When comparing affordable health insurance policies, you'll notice that some companies consistently offer lower rates than others. These providers, however, may not provide policies with as many benefits as other plans. When looking for the best policy for your family, this is an important factor to consider. For instance, our research found Blue Cross Blue Shield is the cheapest health insurance provider in nine states that provides Silver health insurance (BCBS).
Health insurance provider | Number of states with cheapest Silver plan |
Blue Cross Blue Shield | 9 |
Ambetter | 8 |
Kaiser Permanente | 4 |
Bright Health | 3 |
Cigna Health and Life Company | 3 |
Oscar | 2 |
CareSource | 2 |
Medica | 2 |
CHRISTUS Health Plan | 1 |
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care | 1 |
BMC HealthNet Plan | 1 |
UCare | 1 |
Friday Health Plans | 1 |
Horizon | 1 |
Molina Healthcare | 1 |
Fidelis Care | 1 |
Providence Health Plan | 1 |
Highmark Coverage Advantage Inc | 1 |
Neighborhood Health Plan | 1 |
Sanford Health Plan | 1 |
SelectHealth | 1 |
MVP Health Care | 1 |
Coordinated Care | 1 |
Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative | 1 |
ConnectiCare | 1 |
Methodology
The rates and policies in this study were compiled from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website's Public Use Files (PUF).