The Cheapest Connecticut Health Insurance for Individuals and Families
Compare Rates
Ensure you're getting the best rate. Review quotes from a top insurance company.
If you are unemployed or you don’t qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, your best option is to purchase private healthcare coverage through the Connecticut insurance exchange.
Though looking for affordable health insurance in Connecticut can be difficult, the general rule when looking at your options is that cheaper plans tend to have higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. If you need to go to the doctor a lot, this may end up costing you more in the long run.
MoneyGeek looked at the best marketplace plans in Connecticut based on age, coverage level and several other factors for you to easily find the best option that suits your needs. This analysis is solely for the Connecticut insurance marketplace.
The Cheapest Health Insurance in Connecticut by Metal Tier
The cost of health insurance in Connecticut depends on what tier you choose. In the metal tier system, the options offered allow flexibility to choose whether you want to pay higher premiums with lower deductibles, or vice versa. Each one also differs in the medical coverage allowed in each tier. Of course, paying a higher premium would entail having a wider medical coverage.
In Connecticut, the tiers available include Bronze, Silver and Gold. The premium for each tier costs:
- Bronze: $416 per month
- Silver: $538 per month
- Gold: $610 per month
Gold plans have lower deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, which can save you money. However, they cost more per month compared to the less valuable metal, Silver, which has higher deductibles and out-of-pocket cost with a more affordable average monthly cost. Planning to save on monthly premiums by choosing the cheaper Bronze plan is ideal for people that are relatively healthy and with no historical medical conditions.
In the Connecticut health insurance marketplace, each metal tier offers different premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. The following table shows the cheapest plan for each tier.
There are also low-income health insurance coverages in Connecticut available, which benefits low-income shoppers. Cost-sharing reductions can be applied to Silver plans, which instantly reduces the premiums paid while giving more coverage.
The table above shows health insurance in Connecticut for an individual of age 40, matched across different plan types, including HMO, POS and the most common in the state, PPO.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Connecticut by Metal Tier
Scroll for more
- Metal TierPlanCompanyMonthly CostOOP Max
- BronzePassage Bronze Alternative PCP POSConnectiCare Benefits, Inc.$365$8,550
- SilverChoice Silver Standard POSConnectiCare Benefits, Inc.$518$8,150
- GoldGold HMO BlueCare PrimeAnthem BlueCross BlueShield$470$8,550
The Cheapest Health Insurance in Connecticut by Age and Metal Tier
Age is a major factor in how health insurance premiums are priced. A 26-year old individual availing a Silver plan in the Connecticut health insurance marketplace would pay an average monthly premium of $431. This is a significantly cheaper price compared to a 60-year old individual who would have to pay $1,142 per month for the same coverage.
Health Insurance Costs in Connecticut by Age and Metal Tier
Based on the example above, the older you are, the higher the health insurance premium you need to pay. While paying a lower premium is still a possibility, you should be prepared to pay out-of-pocket in case medical costs reach the coverage limit.
Aside from age, another factor that affects the premiums is your income. Tax premiums and other regulatory support services may raise or lower your premium. To get a more precise quote, you might need to apply for a plan first.
The table below shows the cost of different metal-tiered plans based on your age. To learn more about these tiers and decide which is right for you, check out our extensive guide on Connecticut health insurance options.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Connecticut by Age And Metal Tier
Sort by Metal Tier:
Sort by Age:
Scroll for more
- PlanCompanyMonthly Rate
- BronzePOSConnectiCare Benefits, Inc.$260
- BronzePOSConnectiCare Benefits, Inc.$0
- BronzeHMOAnthem BlueCross BlueShield$282
- BronzePOSConnectiCare Benefits, Inc.$292
- BronzePOSConnectiCare Benefits, Inc.$292
Compare Health Insurance Rates
Ensure you're getting the best rate for your health insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
The Cheapest Health Insurance in Connecticut by County
The cost of health insurance plans also differs based on your county. Connecticut is divided into eight different counties with eight rating areas, each with different rates.
In Fairfield County, the most populous county in Connecticut, the average cheapest Silver plan is Choice Silver Standard POS, offered by ConnectiCare Benefits, Inc. at an average of $561 per month.
Use the table below to view a list of the cheapest plans in each metal tier for your county.
Average premiums are for a sample 40-year-old male in Connecticut purchasing a health insurance plan in that county.
Cheapest Health Insurance Plans in Connecticut by County
Sort by county:
Scroll for more
- Metal TierCompanyCheapest PlanMonthly Premium
- FairfieldBronzeConnectiCare Benefits, Inc.Passage Bronze Alternative PCP POS$394
- HartfordBronzeConnectiCare Benefits, Inc.Passage Bronze Alternative PCP POS$337
- LitchfieldBronzeConnectiCare Benefits, Inc.Passage Bronze Alternative PCP POS$364
- MiddlesexBronzeConnectiCare Benefits, Inc.Passage Bronze Alternative PCP POS$364
- New HavenBronzeConnectiCare Benefits, Inc.Passage Bronze Alternative PCP POS$364
The Cheapest Health Insurance in Connecticut With High Out-of-Pocket Maxes
Health insurance plans with high out-of-pocket maximums and lower premiums are ideal for younger people who expect to pay low medical costs. Individuals who choose this option should expect to pay higher out-of-pockets during unexpected medical emergencies.
Among the options, the cheapest plan with the highest out-of-pocket expense in Connecticut is a Passage Bronze Alternative PCP POS plan offered by ConnectiCare Benefits, Inc. This plan costs an average of $292 per month for a 26-year-old individual.
For this guide, MoneyGeek defined a high out-of-pocket plan as a plan with maximum out-of-pocket expenses of $8,250 or more annually.
ConnectiCare Benefits, Inc.
When it comes to the best health insurance in Connecticut, the Passage Bronze Alternative PCP POS tends to offer the lowest-cost option for a plan with a high out-of-pocket maximum.
The Cheapest Health Insurance in Connecticut With Low Out-of-Pocket Maximums
If you expect to pay higher medical costs due to frequent doctor visits, a sickness, prescription drugs or your nature of work, best to purchase a plan with higher monthly premiums that require a lower out-of-pocket cost. This strategy could save you money.
In Connecticut, the cheapest option for a plan with a low out-of-pocket maximum is Choice Gold Standard POS from ConnectiCare Benefits, Inc. The average 40-year-old man can expect to pay a $654 monthly premium on average for this plan.
Typically, MoneyGeek considers any plan with maximum out-of-pocket costs below $4,250 to be a low out-of-pocket maximum plan. While the Choice Gold Standard POS plan has maximum out-of-pocket expenses that are a bit higher at $5,250 per year, it features the lowest out-of-pocket expenses in the state.
ConnectiCare Benefits, Inc.
In Connecticut, the cheapest plan with the lowest out-of-pocket max is Choice Gold Standard POS. Since this is a Gold plan, it will have higher monthly premiums than Silver or Bronze plans. However, because it has a low out-of-pocket maximum, the plan will cover more of your medical costs once you reach its spending limits.
Cheapest POS/HMO/PPO Health Insurance Plan in Connecticut
Connecticut residents can choose a specific type of plan based on his or her healthcare preferences. The most preferred option in Connecticut is Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO plans). Two more available plans in the state include the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Point-of-Service (POS) plans.
PPO plans are more expensive than HMO, but they have a wider network. HMO plans require a referral to see a specialist, but getting a POS plan allows you to see any provider but with cheaper coverage in-network in specific cases.
MoneyGeek found that the cheapest Silver plans for each plan type are:
- PPO: The Silver PPO Standard Pathway plan offered by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. The average 40-year-old will pay roughly $557 per month.
- POS: The Choice Silver Standard POS plan offered by ConnectiCare Benefits, Inc. The average 40-year-old will pay around $518 per month.
Cheapest Plan in Connecticut With an HSA
If you are in good health but want to make sure you are covered with health insurance, the best choice could be a Health Savings Account (HSA), which costs significantly less than other plans. The good thing about this type of plan is that you are able to use the monthly premiums as a pre-tax contribution in case of any medical expenses. If funds are unused, this will automatically become savings.
MoneyGeek found that the cheapest healthcare plans with a Health Savings Account (HSA) option in each available tier are:
- Bronze: The Choice Bronze Standard POS HSA plan offered by ConnectiCare Benefits, Inc. It costs an average of $409 per year for a 40-year-old male.
The one catch with HSA plans is that they tend to have high deductibles, lowering the savings when medical expenses occur.
What to Know About Health Insurance in Connecticut
These quotes presented by MoneyGeek are based on private plan data. You may be able to get a lower rate if you apply personally on the Connecticut health insurance exchange. Note that lower-income and older residents from the state could also qualify for Medicaid or Medicare, which is cheaper than the plans offered in the Marketplace.
Private Health Insurance on the Connecticut Marketplace
Insurance rates in Connecticut vary based on the metal tier system. The Silver and Bronze plans have lower premiums but high out-of-pocket costs if you have a medical emergency. The Gold plans have higher premiums but with low out-of-pocket costs.
Before choosing one, remember to take note of their specific strengths:
- Bronze: Bronze plans have high out-of-pocket costs. They are ideal for individuals who rarely seek medical attention but still want to ensure they are covered in case a medical emergency happens.
- Silver: Silver plans charge lower out-of-pocket costs than Bronze policies, but they tend to have higher monthly premiums to compensate for the difference.
- Gold: Though Gold plans are more expensive in terms of monthly payments, these are ideal for people who need major medical coverage. They’ll save money in the long run as this plan has lower deductibles and out-of-pocket costs compared to other plans.
You may be able to qualify for cheaper plans based on your income level. If it falls somewhere between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, you might be able to get premium tax credits. For example, a two-person household in Connecticut making between $17,420 and $69,680 per year qualifies for tax credits. Use the Healthcare.gov calculator to learn more.
Remember to take advantage of open enrollment, which allows individuals to enroll in a new healthcare plan or renew an existing one through the Healthcare Marketplace. Generally, open enrollment falls between November and December, but extensions were made by the government due to COVID-19. Moving or changing your employment status are also exceptions for extending the open enrollment period.
If your income is between 138% and 250% of the federal poverty level, you may be eligible for cost-sharing reductions when you purchase a Silver plan. These reductions can lower your deductible, copayments or coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximum. You may be able to buy Gold plan coverage at Silver plan rates if you qualify for these deductions. In 2021, a two-person household making $24,040–$43,550 may be eligible for these reduced rates.
Medicaid in Connecticut
Medicaid is free, making it the cheapest option for eligible residents. Because Connecticut is a Medicaid expansion state, you can qualify for this coverage based on income. Your income needs to be 138% below the federal poverty level to qualify.
Medicare in Connecticut
Medicare is a federal healthcare program that individuals who are age 65 or over or those with disability or illness qualify for. While it costs money, it is generally cheaper than private health insurance.
To break down Medicare into three parts:
- Part A: This is free hospital insurance, which covers in-patient expenses, hospice care and other health care services.
- Part B: This is medical insurance that pays for the doctors' services, outpatient care, necessary medical supplies and preventive services. The price for this depends on your income.
- Part D: Medicare also provides prescription drug benefits, covering vaccines and other prescription drugs. Costs will vary depending on your plan.
Before signing up for these Medicare benefits, always be sure to review the coverage’s limitations.
Methodology
MoneyGeek's research is based on estimates, and the cheapest plan for you will depend on your individual needs and characteristics. This analysis is intended to serve as a guide and no single plan is guaranteed to be the cheapest in Connecticut for you
MoneyGeek collected plans and premiums for health insurance in Connecticut from the website for Access Health CT for all available metal tiers and across several age groups. Plans and premiums were analyzed in May 2021.
Health insurance premiums on this page are an estimate and exclude potential premium tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies that users may be eligible for.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
sources
- Medicare.gov. "What's Medicare?." Accessed July 23, 2021.