Jefferson Health Plans charges $488 monthly for Pennsylvania's cheapest health insurance, $196 below the $684 state average. Jefferson's lower premium comes with higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. Members who visit their doctor three or more times a year, fill prescriptions monthly or manage a chronic condition often pay less overall with Partners or UPMC despite their higher monthly rates.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Pennsylvania (2026)
Updated: July 5, 2026
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Key Takeaways
The most affordable health insurance options in Pennsylvania are Jefferson Health Plans at $488 per month, followed by Partners at $549 and UPMC Health Plan at $619.
Jefferson Health Plans leads every age group in our 2026 analysis and has the lowest HMO rates in Pennsylvania. Blue Cross Blue Shield has the lowest EPO average at $503 monthly. Partners has the lowest PPO average at $527. Coverage availability varies by ZIP code, confirm a carrier serves your area before comparing rates.
Cheapest Health Insurance Providers in Pennsylvania
| Jefferson Health Plans | $488 | $196 | $5,856 | $2,352 |
| Partners Insurance Company, Inc. | $549 | $135 | $6,588 | $1,620 |
| UPMC Health Plan | $619 | $65 | $7,428 | $780 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $651 | $33 | $7,812 | $396 |
| Oscar | $658 | $26 | $7,896 | $312 |
| Ambetter Health of Pennsylvania, Inc. | $720 | $36 | $8,640 | $432 |
| Highmark Inc. | $784 | $100 | $9,408 | $1,200 |
| Geisinger Health System | $810 | $126 | $9,720 | $1,512 |
| Geisinger Quality Options, Inc. | $916 | $232 | $10,992 | $2,784 |
* We determine average monthly costs by rounding the mean of all monthly plan rates for each provider in Pennsylvania. We calculate average monthly savings by comparing each provider's average rate against the statewide average.
When we built this 2026 comparison, one figure stood out: Jefferson leads HMO, Blue Cross Blue Shield's EPO costs $503 and Partners' PPO is cheapest at $527. That $44 separates the most affordable HMO from the cheapest PPO provider in Pennsylvania.
Health plan availability in Pennsylvania varies by ZIP code. Not all carriers in the above table sell plans in every part of the state. Confirm a carrier covers your area at pennie.com before comparing premiums.
JEFFERSON HEALTH PLANS AND PARTNERS
Jefferson Health Plans bought Partners. Pennie's marketplace lists both company names, which confuses many shoppers. Click any Partners plan to see Jefferson branding on every page. Your coverage and costs don't change based on which name appears during enrollment.
Jefferson Health Plans
MoneyGeek Rating
4.3/ 5
5/5Affordability
3.9/5Deductible
2.5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$488Average MOOP
$10,533Average Deductible
$3,767
UPMC Health Plan
MoneyGeek Rating
4.0/ 5
4.9/5Affordability
2.5/5Deductible
2.5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$619Average MOOP
$8,690Average Deductible
$3,875
Blue Cross Blue Shield
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$651Average MOOP
$8,471Average Deductible
$3,225
Most Affordable Pennsylvania Health Insurance by Plan Type
When we compared plan types in our 2026 Pennsylvania analysis, EPO Gold plans averaged $533 monthly, $105 less per month than EPO Silver plans at $638. Gold-tier EPO in Pennsylvania costs less than staying at Silver-tier EPO, a reversal most Pennsylvania shoppers don't expect. The data for PPO shows the same pattern: Gold at $706 vs. Silver at $863. Three network types serve Pennsylvania shoppers. HMO plans from Jefferson Health Plans cost $483 monthly with $4,133 deductibles.
HMO | Jefferson Health Plans | $483 | $5,801 | $10,600 | $4,133 |
EPO | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $503 | $6,036 | $9,333 | $2,000 |
PPO | Partners Insurance Company, Inc. | $527 | $6,328 | $10,600 | $2,600 |
Pennsylvania's EPO and PPO Gold plans average less than Silver plans at the same network type. For example, EPO Gold averages $533 monthly vs. EPO Silver at $638, a $105 monthly gap or $1,260 annually. Gold plans carry lower deductibles. For Pennsylvania residents who don't qualify for cost-sharing reductions, Gold is worth pricing before defaulting to Silver.
Where Can You Get Affordable Health Insurance in Pennsylvania?
Federal enhanced premium tax credits that reduced Pennie premiums from 2021 through 2025 expired at the end of 2025 after Congress did not renew them. A 60-year-old married couple in York County earning $82,000 annually saw their Pennie premium increase from $7,032 to $35,712 for 2026, per the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. Residents who previously received subsidies should recheck eligibility at pennie.com, since the premium credit calculation changed for 2026.
Pennie remains the only place to access financial assistance for Pennsylvania residents. The unsubsidized rates on this page reflect 2026 pricing after the enhanced credit expiration. Source: Pennsylvania Insurance Department, October 2025.
Pennie (pennie.com) | Pennsylvania's marketplace sells plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Highmark, UPMC, Jefferson Health Plans, Oscar, Ambetter and Geisinger. Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15 for 2026. You can also enroll after job loss, marriage, moving or having a baby. Compare plans and apply for subsidies at pennie.com. |
Medicaid (Medical Assistance) | Pennsylvania expanded Medicaid in 2015. Adults earning up to 138% of federal poverty level qualify for coverage. Apply year-round at compass.state.pa.us or through Pennie. Medicaid pays for doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions and mental health treatment. Most people pay nothing. Children and pregnant women qualify at higher incomes. |
CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) | Pennsylvania children up to age 19 qualify for CHIP. Premiums range from $0 to $78 monthly per family based on what you earn. CHIP pays for dental, vision, prescriptions and doctor visits. Apply at compass.state.pa.us or call 1-800-986-KIDS. Many families pay nothing. |
Medicare | You can enroll at 65 or earlier with qualifying disabilities. Part A pays for hospital stays while Part B covers doctor visits. Enroll at ssa.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. Medigap plans add extra coverage. Medicare Advantage wraps Parts A, B and often D together. |
Short-Term Health Insurance | These plans fill gaps between jobs. Pennsylvania allows coverage up to 364 days. You'll pay less than marketplace plans but pre-existing conditions aren't covered and prescription coverage is limited. Short-term plans aren't ACA-compliant. Buy directly from insurers since Pennie doesn't sell them. |
How Can You Find Affordable Health Insurance in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's cheapest plan on Pennie costs $488 monthly for a 40-year-old without subsidies. Whether that rate applies to you depends on your ZIP code, income and how often you use care. The steps below address each variable that determines your actual cost after subsidies.
- 1Look beyond the cheapest plans
Pennsylvania's cheapest Bronze plans average $412 monthly. Silver plans average $663 monthly for HMO coverage, a $251 monthly gap or $3,012 annually. That gap closes after two or three specialist visits in a year. A Silver plan's lower deductible pays off faster for members who use care regularly. Bronze plans save money for members in good health who can cover a high deductible without financial hardship.
- 2Assess your medical spending
The Silver HMO deductible on Pennsylvania's Pennie marketplace averages $4,133 based on our data. A member who reaches that deductible once pays $4,133 out of pocket before coverage covers costs. A Bronze HMO at $412 monthly saves $251 per month against the Silver rate or $3,012 annually. That annual saving is less than the deductible difference, which means a single high-cost year erases the Bronze plan's premium advantage. Review your last 12 months of care before choosing a metal tier.
- 3Choose an HMO to Cut Your Monthly Bill
HMO plans average $412 monthly in Pennsylvania versus $554 for PPO plans, a $142 monthly difference or $1,704 annually. The trade-off is a defined provider network and referrals to see specialists. Jefferson Health Plans and Partners both sell HMO coverage through Pennie. Call your primary care doctor before enrolling to confirm in-network status. A member whose doctors are in-network pays the same out-of-pocket costs as any other plan at the same deductible level. The $142 monthly saving is the only difference versus PPO coverage.
- 4Check employer coverage before marketplace plans
Employer plans are worth pricing before you compare Pennie options. Your payroll deduction is only your share. Ask HR for the total premium cost. If your employer covers a large portion, your net monthly cost may be far below any unsubsidized Pennie plan. Ask HR for the total premium cost, not just your contribution, before comparing.
- 5Verify subsidy eligibility
Visit Pennie.com, Pennsylvania's official marketplace, to check premium tax credit eligibility based on household income. Enter your ZIP code, income and household size to preview available plans. Pennsylvania residents earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for premium tax credits. The 2026 enhanced credit expiration changed how those credits are calculated.
- 6Time your purchase right
Pennie's open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15. Plans selected by December 15 take effect January 1. A plan chosen between December 16 and January 15 starts February 1. A job loss, marriage, move or birth of a child qualifies you for a special enrollment period outside this window.
- 7Review provider networks carefully
Pennie's provider directories are not always current. Before enrolling, call your primary care doctor and any specialists to confirm they accept the specific plan name and insurer. Being in-network for Blue Cross Blue Shield's PPO does not mean you are in-network for Blue Cross Blue Shield's HMO. Confirm the plan name, not just the insurer, when you call.
- 8Get free help from certified Pennie assisters
Certified assisters and brokers available through Pennie provide free local help in selecting plans. Contact these experts for guidance on enrollment and subsidy eligibility at no charge.
How Much Is Health Insurance per Month in PA?
Pennsylvania health insurance costs $412 to $863 monthly for 40-year-olds depending on plan type and metal level. The widest gap in our data is between Bronze HMO plans and Silver PPO plans, a $451 monthly difference or $5,412 annually. PPO plans give members out-of-network access and no referral requirements, which carriers price at a premium. For most Pennsylvania residents who receive care within a defined geographic area, that flexibility rarely gets used.
EPO | $416 | $638 | $533 | $545 |
HMO | $412 | $663 | $681 | N.A. |
PPO | $554 | $863 | $706 | N.A. |
Cheap Pennsylvania Health Insurance: Personalized Picks
When shopping for cheap health insurance, multiple factors affect your rate, including age, plan type, metal level and coverage needs. We've collected statewide data for Pennsylvania to help you filter options based on your unique situation and budget.
Data filtered by:
HMO
Silver
40
No
| Jefferson Health Plans | Jefferson Health Plans + Total + Silver + HMO + On Exchange | $455 | HMO | Silver | $10,600 | $5,500 | 40 | No |
| Jefferson Health Plans | Jefferson Health Plans + Balanced + Silver + HMO + On Exchange | $468 | HMO | Silver | $10,600 | $6,900 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | Keystone HMO Silver Proactive Essential | $490 | HMO | Silver | $9,200 | $5,000 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | Keystone HMO Silver Proactive Basic | $510 | HMO | Silver | $9,200 | $2,500 | 40 | No |
| Jefferson Health Plans | Jefferson Health Plans + $0 Deductible + Silver + HMO + On Exchange | $527 | HMO | Silver | $10,600 | $0 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | Keystone HMO Silver Basic | $540 | HMO | Silver | $9,000 | $5,500 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | Keystone HMO Silver Proactive Lite | $582 | HMO | Silver | $9,200 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | Keystone HMO Silver Proactive | $588 | HMO | Silver | $9,200 | $0 | 40 | No |
| Oscar | Silver Simple PCP Saver | $611 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,750 | 40 | No |
| Oscar | Silver Classic | $618 | HMO | Silver | $8,900 | $5,600 | 40 | No |
Your Next Step:
Get your real quotes from trusted insurance providers.
Affordable Health Insurance in Pennsylvania: FAQ
Find answers to the most common health insurance questions for Pennsylvania residents:
How do I get cheap health insurance in Pennsylvania?
Check your subsidy eligibility through Pennie before comparing premiums. Jefferson Health Plans at $488 monthly, Partners at $549 and UPMC Health Plan at $619 are Pennsylvania's three most affordable providers in our 2026 analysis.
HMO plans in Pennsylvania average $412 monthly versus $554 for PPO plans, a $142 monthly gap or $1,704 annually. Jefferson Health Plans and Partners both sell HMO coverage through Pennie. The trade-off is a defined provider network with referral requirements to see specialists.
How much does health insurance cost in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania health insurance averages $714 monthly or $8,572 annually across all plan types and metal levels. Monthly premiums span from $182 to $2,156 varying by age, chosen coverage tier and plan type.
Does Pennsylvania require health insurance?
Pennsylvania does not require residents to have health insurance. The federal individual mandate penalty was eliminated in 2019, so you won't face tax penalties at either the federal or state level for being uninsured. Not having coverage still means risking high medical expenses.
How Can I Get Free Health Insurance in Pennsylvania?
Free health insurance in Pennsylvania is available through Medicaid (Medical Assistance) for adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level and through CHIP for uninsured children up to age 19. Most Medicaid recipients pay nothing. CHIP premiums range from $0 to $78 monthly per family depending on income. Apply at COMPASS (compass.state.pa.us), through Pennie.com or by calling 1-800-986-KIDS for CHIP.
What Is an HMO Plan, and How Does It Affect My Coverage in Pennsylvania?
An HMO covers care only from doctors and hospitals in its network. Jefferson Health Plans, Pennsylvania's cheapest carrier at $488 monthly, sells only HMO plans on Pennie. Members need a referral from their primary care doctor before seeing a specialist, and that specialist must be in the Jefferson network.
Jefferson's HMO has no coverage for non-emergency out-of-network care. A member who sees a specialist outside Jefferson's network pays the full cost of that visit. Confirm your primary care doctor and any current specialists are in Jefferson's network before enrolling.
Is $488 a Month a Lot for Health Insurance in Pennsylvania?
$488 monthly is the lowest average plan rate in Pennsylvania, through Jefferson Health Plans. The state average for a 40-year-old runs $684 monthly. Highmark averages $784 and Geisinger Quality averages $916, the most expensive carrier in our 2026 Pennsylvania analysis.
Your actual rate depends on age, plan type and whether you qualify for a premium tax credit through Pennie. Subsidies can reduce monthly costs for Pennsylvania residents earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Run your household income and size through Pennie's plan comparison tool before comparing base premiums.
Our Methodology
We gathered plan information from Pennie for consumers aged 18 to 60, reviewing costs for 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60-year-olds across all nine carriers active on Pennsylvania's 2026 marketplace. Our analysis covered all metal tiers and network types for each carrier, with data collected during the 2026 open enrollment period. Our cheapest overall rankings focus on 40-year-olds' monthly premiums as this age group is the most common demographically and provides a clear comparison.
Age-specific rankings reflect their respective premium costs. Lower premiums come with higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. Members pay more per visit and per prescription until reaching the deductible.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he produces original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.
Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data. No insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.
Mark holds a B.A. from Boston College and an M.A. in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University. He started his career in financial risk management at State Street and is also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.
Sources
- Pennie. "Welcome to Pennsylvania’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace.." Accessed July 7, 2026.
- HealthCare.gov. "Welcome to the Health Insurance Marketplace." Accessed July 7, 2026.