Kaiser Permanente provides the cheapest overall health insurance in Maryland, with an average monthly premium of $279. Availability can vary, so check out Aetna Health, UnitedHealthcare and CareFirst BlueChoice for affordable health plans.
Most Affordable Health Insurance in Maryland
Updated: June 9, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Kaiser Permanente offers Maryland's most affordable health insurance, saving policyholders an average of $219 per month compared to the state average.
Kaiser Permanente offers top-rated full coverage Platinum plans, with affordable pricing starting at $470 monthly.
Finding the cheapest health insurance starts with selecting a coverage level within your budget, checking your subsidy eligibility and comparing plans from several companies.
Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in Maryland
| Kaiser Permanente | $279 | $219 |
| Aetna Health | $283 | $215 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $362 | $135 |
| CareFirst BlueChoice | $440 | $58 |
*These plans reflect rates for 40-year-olds who are not considered low-income.
Cheapest Maryland Health Insurance Plans by Profile
While we've summarized the cheapest companies for most in Maryland, the most affordable plan for you will differ widely depending on your desired coverage tier and age. Below are the cheapest companies by category for most in the area:
- Cheapest For Young Adults: UnitedHealthcare ($290 monthly)
- Cheapest For Seniors: UnitedHealthcare ($769 monthly)
- Cheapest Bronze Plan: UnitedHealthcare ($265 monthly)
- Cheapest Silver Plan: UnitedHealthcare ($362 monthly)
- Cheapest Gold Plan: UnitedHealthcare ($355 monthly)
- Cheapest Full Coverage (Platinum Plan): Kaiser Permanente ($470 monthly)
While these are a good measure of the most affordable plans, they only represent the cheapest for 40-year-olds (26-year-olds for young adults and 60 for seniors), and your cheapest company and plan may differ for your profile. So below, we've created a filterable table that you can modify by plan tier and age to find your lowest rate match.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Plan Level:Silver
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Age:40
| UnitedHealthcare | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Indiv Med Ded | $362 | $50 | $9,200 |
Cheapest Health Insurance Plans by County in Maryland
While Kaiser Permanente ranks as the cheapest provider overall, UnitedHealthcare dominates in affordability and availability for Silver plans in every county. Below, you can review which company and plan are most affordable in your area.
| Allegany County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Anne Arundel County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Baltimore City | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Baltimore County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Calvert County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Caroline County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Carroll County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Cecil County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Charles County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Dorchester County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Frederick County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Garrett County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Harford County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Howard County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Kent County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Montgomery County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Prince George's | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Queen Anne's County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Somerset County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| St. Mary's County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Talbot County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Washington County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Wicomico County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Worcester County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in Maryland
Follow these steps to find affordable health insurance in Maryland:
- 1
Determine coverage plan needs and affordability
Your coverage plan type and tier will differ widely depending on your personal health circumstances and income. Calculate how much income you can set aside for monthly premiums, considering your current health and risk for injury or disease based on location, age and lifestyle.
- 2
Find out your subsidy eligibility
People earning between $14,580 and $54,000 may qualify for premium tax credits, reducing costs by 40% to 100%. Those with incomes below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level ($36,450) can access cost-sharing reductions, decreasing out-of-pocket expenses up to 73%.
- 3
Consider federal programs for eligible age groups
If you're of suitable age, explore Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans. These plans may offer more affordable and flexible alternatives to traditional plans.
- 4
Review prescription formularies
Check insurers' prescription coverage for medications you regularly take. Choosing plans with lower-tier placements and reduced copays for your medications can optimize savings and ensure consistent and affordable access to necessary prescriptions, saving you hundreds of dollars each year.
- 5
Compare plans during Open Enrollment
Take advantage of Open Enrollment from November 1 to January 15, or Special Enrollment under certain conditions, like job loss or changes in family size. Evaluate plan types, costs, customer reviews and network availability to find the most suitable and affordable coverage for your circumstances.
MONEYGEEK TIP: MAKE SURE TO APPLY PROMPTLY
To avoid technical issues, apply for coverage at least five days before the enrollment deadline. Prepare your income verification, Social Security numbers and immigration documents to ensure a smooth application process.
Most Affordable Health Insurance in Maryland: Bottom Line
Kaiser Permanente, Aetna Health, UnitedHealthcare and CareFirst BlueChoice are Maryland's most affordable health insurance companies. While we recommend these affordable options, you should compare as many plan types and tier quotes as possible from multiple companies to get the best deal.
Cheap Maryland Health Insurance: FAQ
Below are frequently asked questions about finding affordable health insurance in Maryland:
What is the cheapest health insurance in Maryland?
Kaiser Permanente offers the cheapest health insurance in Maryland, with Silver plans starting at $279 monthly for 40-year-olds. Your ideal option may vary, so consider exploring CareFirst BlueChoice, UnitedHealthcare and Aetna Health based on your income and coverage preferences.
What are the downsides of a cheap health insurance plan?
Compared to higher-priced plans, cheap health insurance has higher out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles and copays. More expensive plans reduce out-of-pocket expenses and offer more extensive health care coverage.
How We Decided the Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in Maryland
MoneyGeek obtained data directly from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on available health insurance plans in Maryland based on consumers aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60.
We considered the cheapest overall to be those with the lowest monthly premium costs for 40-year-olds, as most in the state are near this age demographic, and for simplicity. However, cheaper plans tend to have higher out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles, meaning you may pay more if you receive care.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.