Cheapest (and Best) Health Insurance in Nashville, TN (2023)


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Updated: November 21, 2024

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Many factors impact the cost of health insurance, including your location, age, plan type and healthcare needs. To determine which insurers provide cheap health insurance in Nashville, MoneyGeek compiled and analyzed Marketplace data. We also considered each insurer’s monthly premiums, maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits, plan options and claim denial rates to find the best health insurance provider in the city.

Because not all metal tiers or plan types are offered by every company, shopping around can help you find the best plan for your situation. If only one company provides coverage in your city, thoroughly research their plan and tier offerings to determine which one fits your needs.

MoneyGeek Logo IconBestHealth InsuranceIn Nashville
2024

Best Health Insurance in Nashville (2023)

Why Trust MoneyGeek? We downloaded plan data directly from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

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Plan data was updated with the CMS exchange data released in October for the 2023 enrollment period.

6Companies Compared
 
138Quotes Analyzed

Best Overall Health Insurance in Nashville

We found the best health insurance companies in Nashville by evaluating each insurer’s prices, customer service and plan options. Based on these factors, US Health and Life is the best option. Its Silver plans have an average cost of $484 per month and a MOOP limit of $4,409. Ambetter is our runner-up, with an average monthly premium of $497 and a MOOP cost of $4,422 for the same metal tier.

Although cost is important, other factors like customer service, plan options and cost-sharing should also be considered when shopping for health insurance.

US Health and Life

US Health and Life

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The cheapest among the six insurers in our comparison group

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Has the second-lowest average MOOP cost

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Denies fewer claims than its competitors

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Offers EPO plans, which are more flexible than HMOs

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Availability is limited to employers

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

US Health and Life is our top choice for the best health insurance provider in Nashville. Of the six health insurers in our analysis, it has the best overall blend of pricing, claims approval and plan options. An average Silver plan costs $484 per month and features a MOOP limit of $4,409. Although these are average rates, they can give you an idea of how much you’ll pay for coverage.

Apart from being affordable, US Health and Life also has a low claim denial rate, meaning it approves most policyholder claims. The company also provides benefits like Teladoc Health, an online service that gives members access to doctors for non-emergency conditions such as flu, upper respiratory infection, food poisoning and more. It’s worth noting, however, that US Health and Life’s health insurance products are available only to employers.

Ambetter

Ambetter

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Second-cheapest out of six evaluated insurers

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Has a lower average MOOP cost than most competitors

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Offers EPO plans, which don’t require referrals to see specialists

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Denies the highest volume of claims compared to competitors

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Because it offers a good balance between monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, Ambetter is another good option for health insurance in Nashville. Its Silver plans have a monthly cost of $497 and a MOOP limit of $4,422. Remember that these are averages, so your actual rates may vary.

Members can take advantage of Ambetter’s Health Management programs, which offer personalized help for chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and hypertension. Ambetter also has a 24-hour Telehealth service that members can access for questions about their health or medications. The company has a high claims denial rate of 38%, meaning it denies relatively more insurance claims than its competitors.

Best Cheap Health Insurance in Nashville

In Nashville, US Health and Life is the best option for cheap health insurance. Its Silver plans cost an average of $484 per month and have a MOOP cost of $4,409.

Generally, health insurance costs are affected by your geographical location and how you and your insurance provider split medical bills. For instance, a plan with higher premiums tends to have lower out-of-pocket costs.

The best health insurance company isn’t always affordable. But if cost is a priority, you should familiarize yourself with the relationship between metal tiers, premiums and MOOP costs. Learning about deductibles, copays and co-insurance can also help you find the cheapest health insurance.

US Health and Life

US Health and Life

pros

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Provides the lowest monthly premiums for Silver plans

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Has the second-lowest MOOP cost

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Approves nearly all claims filed by members

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Offers EPO plans, which have fewer limitations than HMOs

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Limited information on its website

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Nashville's best cheap health insurance provider is US Health and Life. Its Silver plans have an average monthly premium of $484 and a MOOP cost of $4,409. These figures are merely averages, so your actual rates may vary.

With a low claim denial rate, US Health and Life approves most of its member-filed claims. It also provides various benefits, like its mail-order or home delivery program for maintenance drugs. Plus, US Health and Life's network includes over 69,000 chain and independent pharmacies nationwide. That said, there's limited information on the website about its products. You will need to connect with an agent to get a quote for coverage.

Cheapest Provider by Metal Tier

Nashville’s most affordable Silver plan provider is US Health and Life, with an average monthly premium of $484. The cheapest health insurance isn’t always the best, but if affordability is your top priority, Silver plans are solid options that feature premium reductions.

Marketplace insurance plans are grouped into metal tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Bronze plans often have the lowest monthly premiums, but they have higher out-of-pocket costs and only cover emergency visits. Although Catastrophic plans are more affordable than Bronze, you must meet certain age requirements to qualify.

Browse the table below to see the cheapest providers in Nashville for each metal tier with their average monthly premiums. Catastrophic plans have been excluded due to their age-related criteria.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age:
Age:40
US Health and Life Insurance CompanyExpanded Bronze$355
AmbetterBronze$370
US Health and Life Insurance CompanySilver$484
AmbetterGold$521
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WHICH METAL TIER IS RIGHT FOR ME?

The best metal tier for you depends on your specific health care needs. Here’s a quick rundown of each:

  • Catastrophic: The best option for those who don't need frequent care and only emergency coverage.
  • Bronze: Best suited for individuals who are in good health and don’t need much medical attention.
  • Silver: Ideal for buyers seeking a balance between affordable premiums and coverage.
  • Gold: Excellent for individuals who regularly need medical attention.
  • Platinum: Best for those who frequently need health or medical services and can afford the expensive monthly premiums.

Cheapest Plan by Metal Tier

In Nashville, the cheapest Silver plan is Ambetter’s Clear SELECT Silver with Select Providers, with an average cost of $459 per month.

The table below shows the most affordable health insurance plans in Nashville by metal tier and their average monthly premiums. We excluded Catastrophic plans because their availability is limited to those under 30.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age:
Age:40
Expanded BronzeUS Health and Life Insurance CompanyAscension Personalized Care Balanced Bronze 2$342
BronzeAmbetterCMS Standard Bronze$353
SilverAmbetterClear SELECT Silver with Select Providers$459
GoldAmbetterCMS Standard Gold SELECT$461

How Age Affects Health Insurance in Nashville

Age is a significant factor that affects health insurance costs, with rates increasing as you age to accommodate the expected rise in health care needs. The least expensive option will almost always be Bronze or Expanded Bronze plans. While Catastrophic plans can be a cheaper alternative, they have age restrictions.

Choosing a lower-tiered plan can help you save on premiums, but you must be familiar with your provider's network to avoid paying out of pocket for out-of-network services. The chart below shows you some of Nashville's cheapest health insurance companies for Silver plans.

Cheapest Health Insurance in Nashville by Age
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Metal Level:
Metal Level:Silver
18US Health and Life Insurance Company$346$4,409
26US Health and Life Insurance Company$388$4,409
40US Health and Life Insurance Company$484$4,409
50US Health and Life Insurance Company$677$4,409
60US Health and Life Insurance Company$1,028$4,409

Generally, your health insurance premiums get more expensive as you grow older. Similarly, higher metal tiers result in more elevated rates. Age and metal tier together have the most significant impact on how much you'll spend for coverage. The graph below shows how health insurance costs vary by age and metal tier.

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MEDICAID AND MEDICARE

Government-funded health insurance programs like Medicaid and Medicare provide affordable coverage to qualified individuals. Medicaid eligibility is based on income and family size, while Medicare is available to individuals who are 65 and older or have a disability.

If you're looking for additional benefits, you may qualify for Medicare Advantage if you live in a service area and are already enrolled for Medicare Parts A and B. Shop around to find the best Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Supplement plan in Tennessee based on your needs.

How to Find the Best Cheap Health Insurance in Nashville

While the perfect health plan doesn’t exist, you can find the best cheap insurance by assessing your health care needs and comparing different options. The steps outlined below can help you with this process.

  1. 1
    Know Where to Look

    It’s important that you know where to look for health plans. For instance, you may find affordable health insurance for 18-year-olds through a parent, while health insurance for 26-year-olds may be cheaper through an employer. You may also explore the Marketplace, various insurance companies or government-sponsored health programs for coverage.

  2. 2
    Budget Based on Your Health Care Needs

    When shopping for affordable health insurance, you must find a balance between coverage and cost that’s suitable for your health needs and budget. Typically, cheaper plans provide less coverage and have higher out-of-pocket costs, whereas more expensive plans have broader provider networks and lower MOOP limits.

  3. 3
    Check for Premium Tax Credits

    A premium tax credit can help reduce your monthly health insurance expenses. You may qualify for a premium tax credit if your income falls within 100% to 400% of the FPL and you’re not eligible for other publicly assisted health insurance programs (like Medicare or Medicaid).

  4. 4
    Check Government Program Eligibility

    Government-sponsored health programs such as Medicare and Medicaid provide low-cost coverage as long as you meet their strict eligibility requirements. You must be 65 and above to qualify for Medicare, while eligibility for Medicaid depends on your income — making it the best health insurance for unemployed individuals.

  5. 5
    Choose Your Plan

    When choosing a plan, make sure to check its cost, network and other details. Once you’re sure it can cover your healthcare needs, it’s fine to go with the cheapest option available.

Health Insurance Subsidies and Income-Based Assistance

Financial assistance is available to low-income individuals and families. A health insurance subsidy can significantly reduce your monthly premiums depending on your income level.

Historically, subsidies are available to individuals with an income between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL). However, the American Rescue Plan Act and the Inflation Reduction Act suspended this rule until 2025, making subsidies accessible to those whose income is over 400% of the FPL.

If you don’t qualify for subsidies, consider programs like the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicare or Medicaid. That said, depending on the state, your income must fall between 100% and 150% of the FPL to be eligible for Medicaid.

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SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE

Short-term health insurance is an affordable way to tackle coverage gaps. For instance, it is ideal if you are waiting for a new job to start or for open enrollment to come around.

It’s worth noting, however, that even the best short-term health insurance in Tennessee is not comparable to a Marketplace plan because it doesn’t always cover essential benefits and may deny you if you have pre-existing conditions. Additionally, you won’t be able to take advantage of subsidies and tax credits with short-term plans.

Frequently Asked Questions About Health Insurance in Nashville

Choosing an insurance plan can be challenging. To help you with decision-making, we answered commonly asked questions about health insurance in Nashville.

How do I get health insurance in Nashville?

What’s the best health insurance in Nashville?

What’s the cheapest health insurance in Nashville?

About Brenna Kelly


Brenna Kelly headshot

Brenna Kelly, the former Health Insurance Content Manager at MoneyGeek, is a licensed health insurance agent and real estate associate. She is qualified to provide expert insight and advice on medical insurance, disability, long-term care, critical illness, Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage Plans.

Kelly has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Applied Sociology from the University of Central Florida. She uses her content production experience and health insurance expertise to deliver informative articles.


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