Updated: October 22, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
SummaCare offers Ohio's cheapest health insurance at $469 monthly with three free doctor visits and $100 vision allowance.
Paramount, Molina, Aetna, Ambetter and Oscar provide solid alternatives when SummaCare isn't available.
Finding the cheapest health insurance starts with selecting a coverage level within your budget, checking your subsidy eligibility and comparing plans from several companies.
SummaCare leads Ohio's affordable health insurance market at $469 monthly for a 40-year-old's Silver HMO plan. If SummaCare is unavailable in your location, then Molina, Aetna, Ambetter and Oscar offer similar rates with added disease management programs for asthma.
These Silver-tier plans balance reasonable monthly costs with solid coverage, and you'll pay less than $6,501 annually while getting essential health benefits and preventive care at no extra charge.
| SummaCare | $469 | $5,632 | $8,728 |
| Molina | $506 | $6,072 | $8,563 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $518 | $6,212 | $9,333 |
| Aetna | $526 | $6,315 | $8,819 |
| Ambetter | $538 | $6,452 | $7,750 |
| Oscar | $542 | $6,501 | $8,922 |
| CareSource | $568 | $6,811 | $9,138 |
| Aultcare | $574 | $6,890 | $9,146 |
| Anthem (BCBS) | $630 | $7,563 | $8,280 |
| MedMutual | $636 | $7,634 | $9,063 |
| Paramount | $658 | $7,891 | $8,650 |
*These plans reflect rates for 40-year-olds who aren't considered low-income.
If you live in Northeast Ohio's four-county area and want the most affordable coverage, SummaCare offers the lowest rates, starting at just $469 monthly. Additionally, you'll get three free office visits to your primary care doctor on most plans, saving around $300 annually. Low copays on primary care visits and generic prescriptions help manage everyday health care costs, while the $100 vision hardware allowance through VSP covers a good portion of new glasses.
One thing to watch: the 3.5 out of 5 denial score means claims approval isn't as smooth as some competitors.
Your cheapest option depends on your age and health needs. A 26-year-old pays $376 monthly, while a 60-year-old pays $997 for the same Silver plan. We've broken down the lowest rates by age group and specific health situations like pregnancy, asthma, or chronic conditions so you can find exactly what works for your circumstances. These rates reflect Silver HMO plans, which balance affordable premiums with reasonable out-of-pocket costs.
| Seniors (60) | SummaCare | $997 | $11,961 | $8,728 |
| Cheapest PPO (40) | Aultcare | $574 | $6,890 | $9,146 |
| People with Low Back Pain (40) | Aetna | $526 | $6,315 | $8,819 |
| People with High BP & High Cholesterol (40) | Molina | $506 | $6,072 | $8,563 |
| Adults (40) | SummaCare | $469 | $5,632 | $8,728 |
| Young Adults (26) | SummaCare | $376 | $4,513 | $8,728 |
| Teens (18) | SummaCare | $335 | $4,024 | $8,728 |
| Children (0-14) | SummaCare | $281 | $3,371 | $8,728 |
While SummaCare is the cheapest provider overall, other providers stand out in affordability and availability for Silver plans in different cities. Below, you can review which company and plan are most affordable in your area.
| CareSource | $585 | $7,026 | Cincinnati |
Follow these steps to find affordable health insurance in Ohio:
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.
People earning between $15,650 and $62,600 may qualify for premium tax credits, reducing costs by 40% to 100%. Those with incomes below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level ($39,125) can access cost-sharing reductions, decreasing out-of-pocket expenses up to 73%.
If you are eligible, explore Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans. These programs are often more affordable than traditional health insurance and offer more flexible coverage options.
Review prescription coverages for medications you regularly take. Some insurers place common medications on lower tiers with reduced copays compared to competitors, potentially saving you hundreds annually.
The Open Enrollment period is from November 1 to January 15, with Special Enrollment options available for life changes like job loss or new children. During this time, weigh factors like coverage types, customer feedback, pricing and network compatibility to find the best plan.
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.
Ohio's most affordable health insurance companies are UnitedHealthcare, SummaCare, Ambetter, Paramount and MedMutual. While we recommend these options, you should compare as many plan types and tier quotes as possible from multiple companies to get the best deal.
Below are frequently asked questions about finding affordable health insurance in Ohio:
SummaCare offers the cheapest health insurance in Ohio, with Silver plans starting at $469 per month for 40-year-olds. Consider MedMutual, Ambetter and Paramount, depending on your income and preferences.
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.
Adults aged 31-45 pay an average of $488 monthly for Silver-tier health insurance in Ohio. Your actual cost depends on age, location, income level and available subsidies that can reduce premiums significantly.
MoneyGeek obtained data directly from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on available health insurance plans in Ohio 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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
