The Cheapest New Hampshire Health Insurance for Individuals and Families
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The New Hampshire insurance exchange has private health insurance plans for people in the state who do not have a health insurance plan from their employer or state programs like Medicare or Medicaid. Cheaper plans will typically have higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, so if you choose a low-cost option, you will pay more out of pocket for medical expenses when they arise.
To help you find the coverage you need, MoneyGeek analyzed the cheapest plans in New Hampshire for individuals of different ages and for different plan types. This analysis is based on plans purchased through the New Hampshire insurance marketplace.
The Cheapest Health Insurance in New Hampshire by Metal Tier
The metal tier system for health insurance in New Hampshire allows you to purchase a plan based on the monthly cost. If you opt for plans with lower monthly premiums, you will have to pay more out of pocket because low-cost plans have higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.
There are six different tiers available to New Hampshire residents, including Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
The average cost of health insurance in New Hampshire for each tier are:
- Catastrophic: $188 per month
- Bronze: $270 per month
- Expanded Bronze: $319 per month
- Silver: $407 per month
- Gold: $490 per month
- Platinum: $582 per month
Choosing a plan like Gold or Platinum, which have higher monthly premiums, comes with lower out-of-pocket maximums. This could be more cost-effective for people with high medical costs who are likely to reach the out-of-pocket maximum quickly.
The table below indicates the cheapest plan for each tier based on monthly premiums. It is important to note that in the New Hampshire marketplace, premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums can vary greatly within a metal tier.
People with low incomes may be eligible for cost-sharing reductions (CSR) on a Silver plan. This means that you pay lower deductibles, making the Silver plan even more affordable.
In this analysis, MoneyGeek used plans based on a sample profile of a 40-year-old male for HMO, PPO and EPO plans. These are the three plan types available in New Hampshire, with HMO plans being the most common plan type.
Cheapest Health Insurance in New Hampshire by Metal Tier
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- Metal TierPlanCompanyMonthly CostOOP Max
- CatastrophicAnthem Catastrophic Pathway X Enhanced HMO 8550/0%Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield$177$8,550
- BronzeAnthem Bronze Pathway X Enhanced HMO 6500/40%Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield$263$8,550
- Expanded BronzeAmbetter Essential Care 10 (2021)Ambetter from New Hampshire Healthy Families$247$8,400
- SilverAnthem Silver Pathway X HMO 5000 30 7000 w HSAAnthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield$313$7,000
- GoldAmbetter Secure Care 5 (2021)Ambetter from New Hampshire Healthy Families$363$6,300
The Cheapest Health Insurance in New Hampshire by Age and Metal Tier
One of the key factors that influence health insurance costs in New Hampshire is age, with premiums getting higher as you get older. A 26-year-old in New Hampshire will pay an average of $326 per month for a Silver plan, while a 60-year-old will pay much higher premiums of $864 per month for a similar plan. These average rates are based on HMO plans.
Health Insurance Costs in New Hampshire by Age and Metal Tier
The cost of health insurance increases with age. While plans like Bronze options with lower monthly premiums may cost less per month, they have higher out-of-pocket maximums. This means you may end up paying more out of pocket when you incur high medical expenses.
Due to tax premiums and other state regulations, health insurance in New Hampshire may be cheaper for older people. In this analysis, we used sample ages that may not account for a specific age and income combination. You can only get an exact quote by applying for a policy based on your income and age.
You can use the table below to toggle between metal tiers and the ages of the plan buyer. You can also refer to MoneyGeek’s guide on health insurance in New Hampshire to help you identify the best metal tier to purchase.
Cheapest Health Insurance in New Hampshire by Age And Metal Tier
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- PlanCompanyMonthly Rate
- CatastrophicHMOAnthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield$126
- CatastrophicHMOHarvard Pilgrim Health Care$142
- BronzeHMOAnthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield$188
- BronzeHMOAnthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield$198
- Expanded BronzeEPOAmbetter from New Hampshire Healthy Families$177
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The Cheapest Health Insurance in New Hampshire by County
Some states have rating areas that they use when calculating health insurance premiums. However, New Hampshire has only one rating area, so your health insurance costs will not be affected by where you live in the state.
In all 10 New Hampshire counties, the cheapest Silver plan is Anthem Silver Pathway X HMO 5000 30 7000 w HAS, which is offered by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield at $313 monthly on average.
You can use the table below to find the cheapest plans for all metal tiers in your New Hampshire county.
The plans in this analysis are for a sample 40-year-old male in New Hampshire purchasing a health plan in that county.
Cheapest Health Insurance Plans in New Hampshire by County
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- Metal TierCompanyCheapest PlanMonthly Premium
- RockinghamCatastrophicAnthem Blue Cross and Blue ShieldAnthem Catastrophic Pathway X Enhanced HMO 8550/0%$177
- StraffordCatastrophicAnthem Blue Cross and Blue ShieldAnthem Catastrophic Pathway X Enhanced HMO 8550/0%$177
- HillsboroughCatastrophicAnthem Blue Cross and Blue ShieldAnthem Catastrophic Pathway X Enhanced HMO 8550/0%$177
- BelknapCatastrophicAnthem Blue Cross and Blue ShieldAnthem Catastrophic Pathway X Enhanced HMO 8550/0%$177
- CarrollCatastrophicAnthem Blue Cross and Blue ShieldAnthem Catastrophic Pathway X Enhanced HMO 8550/0%$177
The Cheapest Health Insurance in New Hampshire With High Out-of-Pocket Maxes
Plans with low monthly premiums and high out-of-pocket maxes may be ideal for young people in New Hampshire who have few medical expenses. However, the trade-off for the low premium is that the out-of-pocket costs can be quite high if they have a medical emergency.
The cheapest plan with the high out-of-pocket maximums for a 26-year-old in New Hampshire is Anthem Catastrophic Pathway X Enhanced HMO 8550/0% offered by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. This Catastrophic plan costs an average of $142 monthly.
MoneyGeek defines a plan as having a high out-of-pocket max when it has max out-of-pocket expenses of $8,250 or higher.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
The Catastrophic plan offered by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the cheapest option in New Hampshire for high out-of-pocket maximums. However, not everyone is eligible for a Catastrophic plan since only people under the age of 30 can qualify for this plan. In special circumstances such as a hardship exemption, you may qualify for a Catastrophic plan if you are over 30 years old.
The Cheapest Health Insurance in New Hampshire With Low Out-of-Pocket Maximums
A high-cost plan with low out-of-pocket maximums could be the best option for New Hampshire residents with high medical expenses. Although you will pay higher monthly premiums with a high-cost plan, the insurer will cover your medical expenses sooner since you’ll reach the out-of-pocket limit on your plan faster.
The most affordable plan with low out-of-pocket maximums for the average 40-year-old in New Hampshire is Anthem Platinum Pathway X HMO 200 20 3200 provided by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. This Platinum plan costs an average of $476 monthly.
The Anthem Platinum Pathway X HMO 200 20 3200 has an out-of-pocket maximum of $3,200. MoneyGeek defines maximum out-of-pocket expenses lower than $4,250 as a low out-of-pocket maximum plan.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
The cheapest option for low out-of-pocket maximums in New Hampshire is a Platinum plan offered by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. This type of plan offers better coverage for people with high medical expenses, which offsets the high monthly premiums. If you choose a Gold or Platinum plan, you will pay much less out of pocket when you have high medical expenses.
Cheapest HMO/EPO/PPO Health Insurance Plan in New Hampshire
Your healthcare needs and preferences will help you determine the best type of healthcare plan for your needs. In New Hampshire, you can choose between HMO, EPO or PPO plans. HMO plans are the most common plan type in New Hampshire.
HMO plans are the most affordable. However, with this plan, you will need a referral to see a specialist and you will be restricted to a specified provider network.
EPO plans are similar to HMO plans in that they also restrict you to a specified network of providers. However, on an EPO plan, you may not always need a referral to see a specialist. PPO plans are more expensive than HMO and EPO plans, but they offer a wider network of providers and better flexibility.
For a Silver plan, the cheapest health insurance in New Hampshire for all available plan types are:
- HMO: Anthem Silver Pathway X HMO 5000 30 7000 w HAS provided by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which costs an average of $313 monthly.
- EPO: Ambetter Balanced Care 11 (2021), offered by Ambetter from New Hampshire Healthy Families, costs $325 on average per month.
- PPO: Anthem Silver Preferred Blue PPO 5000 30 7000 w HAS provided by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which costs $450 on average monthly.
Cheapest Plan in New Hampshire With an HSA
A Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) plan provides a savings option for people in good health who have few medical expenses. If you are in New Hampshire, you can make pre-tax contributions to your HSA plan. These savings will only be used if you incur a health expense, allowing you to build a nest egg.
For a 40-year-old in New Hampshire, the cheapest healthcare plans with an HSA for all metal tiers are:
- Expanded Bronze: Ambetter Essential Care 2 HSA (2021) provided by Ambetter from New Hampshire Healthy Families, which costs $262 per month on average.
- Silver: Anthem Silver Pathway X HMO 5000 30 7000 w HAS provided by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which costs an average of $313 monthly.
- Gold: Anthem Gold Pathway X HMO 2000 10 4250 w HAS provided by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which costs $395 monthly.
For HSA plans, the trade-off for the low monthly premiums is high deductibles. This means you will pay more out of pocket if you incur high medical expenses.
What to Know About Health Insurance in New Hampshire
MoneyGeek’s analysis used sample rates based on private plan data from the New Hampshire insurance marketplace. You may be able to find even cheaper rates when you apply for a plan on the health insurance exchange. Lower-income or older New Hampshire residents may be eligible for Medicaid or Medicare programs, which are cheaper than any Marketplace plans.
Private Health Insurance on the New Hampshire Marketplace
Health insurance plans in the private market in New Hampshire come in different options that are categorized into metal tiers. These tiers differ in terms of costs, coverage amounts and deductibles.
- Catastrophic: Catastrophic plans are only available for people who are below the age of 30 or who are eligible for exemptions. This tier is a low-cost option with low monthly premiums that offer limited coverage. For people with few medical expenses or limited funds, a Catastrophic plan can be used to get affordable coverage for medical emergencies.
- Bronze: Bronze plans cost more than Catastrophic plans because they offer lower out-of-pocket costs compared to Catastrophic. This tier is an affordable option for people who are in relatively good health and do not have high medical expenses. Although this tier has low monthly premiums, it can be costly if you have high medical expenses that require you to pay out of pocket.
- Expanded Bronze: This tier offers slightly more coverage than a Bronze plan and will have slightly higher monthly premiums compared to a Bronze plan. Like the other low-cost options, an Expanded Bronze plan may be costly for people with high medical expenses due to the high deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.
- Silver: The Silver tier is a middle-of-the-road plan that balances monthly premiums with coverage. This means that the out-of-pocket maxes for this tier are moderate, so this type of plan is ideal for the average person with average medical expenses. Silver plans are more affordable than Gold and Platinum plans but cost more than Catastrophic, Bronze and Expanded Bronze plans.
- Gold: This is a pricier option that typically has high monthly premiums. However, the low out-of-pocket maximums in this tier are the best option for people who need regular medical attention and meet their out-of-pocket limits quickly. If you have high medical expenses, you can save on medical expenses by opting for a Gold plan.
- Platinum: The Platinum tier is the most costly option in terms of monthly premiums. This tier is best if you want a plan with low out-of-pocket maximums that will ensure your expenses are covered by the insurer when you incur high medical costs. The coverage offered by high-cost plans like Platinum is ideal for people who incur high medical expenses frequently.
Depending on your income level, you may be able to get a cheaper plan or one with higher coverage limits than the plans outlined in this analysis. People in New Hampshire whose income falls between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level are eligible for premium tax credits. A two-person household in New Hampshire with an income ranging from $24,040 to $43,550 is eligible for these health insurance premium tax credits.
Open enrollment is the window during which you can enroll for a new plan or renew your existing one from the New Hampshire Insurance Marketplace. Usually, open enrollment runs from November to December, but this period has been extended due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. People who have recently changed jobs or moved to a different state may qualify for special enrollment outside of the open enrollment period.
If you live in New Hampshire and your income is between $24,040 and $43,550, which is between 138% and 250% of the federal poverty level, you can get cost-sharing reductions if you buy a Silver plan. With these deductions, you can get a Gold plan with Silver plan rates since the deductions will reduce your deductibles, co-payments and out-of-pocket maximums.
Medicaid in New Hampshire
The cheapest health insurance plan in New Hampshire for eligible residents is Medicaid. Medicaid is a free program offered to people whose income falls below 138% of the federal poverty level. In expansion states like New Hampshire, you can qualify for Medicaid based on income alone.
Medicare in New Hampshire
New Hampshire residents who are 65 years of age or older are eligible for Medicare. This federal government health insurance plan is also available to people with certain qualifying illnesses.
With a Medicare plan, you may need to pay a premium for certain coverages, so it is not a free program like Medicaid. However, even with the premiums, Medicare is cheaper than the options available in the private insurance marketplace.
A Medicare plan offers coverage in three key parts, including:
- Part A: This covers medical expenses from inpatient hospital stays, hospice care and certain types of home health care. Most people are not required to pay any premium for this part of Medicare.
- Part B: This part of Medicare may require a monthly premium to get coverage. Part B covers medical expenses arising from outpatient care, preventive services, some doctor services and expenses related to medical supplies.
- Part D: Prescription drugs are covered under Part D of Medicare.
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 New Hampshire for you
MoneyGeek collected plans and premiums for health insurance in New Hampshire from the Health Insurance Exchange Public Use Files (Exchange PUFs) for all available metal tiers and across several age groups.
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
- Healthcare.gov. "How to Buy a Catastrophic Healthcare Plan." Accessed June 17, 2021.
- Medicare.gov. "What's Medicare?." Accessed June 17, 2021.