Best Health Insurance in Colorado (2026)

Key Takeaways

Kaiser Permanente is Colorado's top health insurance provider, effectively balancing monthly premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs.

Kaiser Permanente provides the cheapest health insurance in Colorado, but its out-of-pocket maximums are not the most affordable available.

Compare quotes from at least three Colorado providers to find coverage matching your needs and budget.

Best Health Insurance Companies in Colorado

Kaiser Permanente is the best health insurance company in Colorado. Other options include Anthem, Denver Health Medical Plan and UnitedHealthcare.


Kaiser Permanente	$542	$9,933	$3,813	4.7	KP Select CO Silver 3800/25%/HSA
Anthem	$645	$9,687	$4,627	4.0	Anthem Silver Pathway Essentials 5000 $0 Select Drugs
Denver Health Medical Plan Inc.	$626	$9,800	$4,400	4.0	Elevate Health Plans Colorado Option Silver
UnitedHealthcare	$677	$10,175	$4,247	3.7	RMHP Monument One Colorado Option Silver

*Our picks are the best health insurance options for 40-year-olds looking for Silver-tier HMO plans.

Kaiser Permanente

MoneyGeek Rating

4.7/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

3.4/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$542
Average MOOP
$9,933
Average Deductible
$3,813

pros
- Below-average monthly premiums across all metal tiers
- Lower deductibles than state average
- HSA-eligible plans
cons
- HMO plans only (no PPO or EPO flexibility)
- Requires staying within Kaiser's provider network for coverage
Kaiser Permanente offers HMO plans across all metal tiers in Colorado, with pricing that varies within each level. A 40-year-old can expect to pay around $412 to $465 monthly for Bronze coverage, which comes with higher deductibles of $6,500 to $8,500. Silver plans run $513 to $578 per month with mid-range deductibles around $3,800. Gold coverage costs $505 to $594 monthly but offers lower deductibles starting at $1,500. MOOP limits range from $1,500 to $9,933 depending on the plan. Premiums increase with age.

Kaiser Permanente Colorado health insurance plans for 2026:

Data filtered by:


KP Select CO Bronze 8500/50	$412	HMO	Bronze	$9,200	$8,500	No
KP Select CO Bronze 6500/35%/HSA	$433	HMO	Bronze	$7,500	$6,500	Yes
KP Select CO Bronze 6500/50	$420	HMO	Bronze	$9,200	$6,500	No
KP CO Bronze 6500/35%/HSA	$465	HMO	Bronze	$7,500	$6,500	Yes
KP CO Bronze 8500/50	$442	HMO	Bronze	$9,200	$8,500	No
KP CO Bronze 6500/50	$451	HMO	Bronze	$9,200	$6,500	No
KP Colorado Option Bronze	$421	HMO	Bronze	$10,000	$7,500	No
KP Select CO Bronze 7500/60 RX Copay	$427	HMO	Bronze	$10,150	$7,500	No
KP CO Bronze 7500/60 RX Copay	$459	HMO	Bronze	$10,150	$7,500	No

Anthem

MoneyGeek Rating

4.0/ 5

4.2/5Affordability

2.5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$645
Average MOOP
$9,687
Average Deductible
$4,627

pros
- Gold tier deductibles start at $2,050
- Bronze, Silver, Gold and Catastrophic tiers all available
cons
- HMO plans only, which restricts network access
- Bronze plan deductibles are around $10,000 with high out-of-pocket maximums
Anthem offers HMO plans across all metal tiers in Colorado. Bronze plans start at $348 per month. Silver plans are $409 to $543 per month. Gold plans are $510 to $513 per month with $2,050 deductibles. Bronze deductibles reach $10,300. Out-of-pocket maximums are $7,500 to $10,600 depending on the plan. Premiums increase with age. Catastrophic plans start at $299 per month for younger applicants who need basic coverage.

Anthem Colorado health insurance plans for 2026:

Data filtered by:


Anthem Bronze Pathway Essentials 8300 for HSA	$429	HMO	Bronze	$8,300	$8,300	Yes
Anthem Bronze Mountain Enhanced 8300 for HSA	$479	HMO	Bronze	$8,300	$8,300	Yes
Anthem Bronze Pathway 8300 for HSA	$519	HMO	Bronze	$8,300	$8,300	Yes

Denver Health Medical Plan Inc

MoneyGeek Rating

4.0/ 5

4.4/5Affordability

2.8/5Deductible

4.3/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$626
Average MOOP
$9,800
Average Deductible
$4,400

pros
- Gold plan deductibles start at $2,050
- Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers all available
cons
- HMO plans only, which limits provider network flexibility
- Bronze plan deductibles are $6,950 to $7,500
Denver Health Medical Plan offers HMO plans across Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers. A 40-year-old pays $362 to $459 per month for Bronze, $501 to $626 for Silver and $431 to $538 for Gold. Gold deductibles start at $2,050. Silver deductibles are $4,400. Bronze deductibles go up to $7,500. Out-of-pocket maximums are $7,100 to $10,000. Premiums increase with age. Catastrophic plans are available for younger applicants who need basic coverage.

Denver Health Medical Plan Colorado health insurance plans for 2026:

Data filtered by:


Elevate Health Plans HSA Bronze HDHP	$452	HMO	Bronze	$7,100	$6,950	Yes
Elevate Health Plans Colorado Option Bronze	$459	HMO	Bronze	$10,000	$7,500	No

Best Health Insurance in Colorado by Category

Health insurance rates in Colorado change based on your age and plan type. Below, we highlight the best health insurance plans in Colorado by age and plan type, showing how monthly costs and coverage features change from young adults to seniors and across HMO and EPO options.

By Age:

Teens (18): Kaiser Permanente HMO plans cost $387 monthly, while Select Health EPO plans cost $421.
Young adults (26): Kaiser Permanente HMO coverage runs $434 monthly, and Select Health EPO plans cost $472.
Adults (40): Kaiser Permanente HMO plans cost $542 monthly, while Select Health EPO plans run $589.
Seniors (60): Kaiser Permanente HMO plans cost $1,151 monthly, and Select Health EPO coverage costs $1,251.

By Plan Type:

HMO: Kaiser Permanente offers the most affordable HMO coverage for 40-year-olds at $542 monthly with a $3,813 deductible and $9,933 MOOP.
EPO: Select Health charges 40-year-olds $589 monthly with a $3,600 deductible and $9,888 MOOP.

All rates are averages based on Silver plans for the given category.

Compare Colorado Health Insurance Providers

Colorado insurers offer different premiums, deductibles and MOOP costs. Filter results by age, metal level, plan type and HSA eligibility to find your best options.

Data filtered by:


Kaiser Permanente	$542	HMO	Silver	$9,933	$3,813	40	No
Anthem	$645	HMO	Silver	$9,687	$4,627	40	No
Denver Health Medical Plan Inc.	$626	HMO	Silver	$9,800	$4,400	40	No
UnitedHealthcare	$677	HMO	Silver	$10,175	$4,247	40	No

How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in Colorado

Choosing health insurance in Colorado means weighing premiums against deductibles, network access and coverage limits.

1
Assess Your Health Care Needs
Start with your medications, any planned procedures and how frequently you see doctors. Past medical expenses give you a baseline for predicting future costs and help you pick the right deductible. Chronic conditions that need ongoing care can add up fast in Colorado, so factor those into your coverage decision before comparing plans.
2
Compare Multiple Insurance Quotes
Pull rates from at least three Colorado health insurers before choosing. Kaiser Permanente, Cigna and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield all price differently across Denver, Colorado Springs and other Front Range communities. A quote that looks expensive in one city may be the cheapest option in another.
3
Verify Provider Networks
Before enrolling, confirm your doctors, specialists and preferred hospitals accept the plan. Out-of-network care costs more and may require full payment upfront. University of Colorado Hospital and Presbyterian/Saint Joseph Hospital participate in different networks. In rural areas like the Western Slope, network restrictions are tighter and provider options are fewer.
4
Review Cost-Sharing Details
A higher deductible lowers your monthly premium but means more out-of-pocket cost when you use care. Your out-of-pocket maximum caps what you pay in a year, even after a major medical event. For Colorado residents who ski, hike or climb, that ceiling matters more than it might elsewhere.
5
Evaluate Plan Types
HMOs, PPOs, EPOs and POS plans trade off cost against flexibility in different ways. HMOs cost less but require referrals. PPOs let you see specialists without approval but charge higher premiums. EPOs and POS plans fall in between, with moderate flexibility and mid-range costs.
6
Explore Government Programs
If your income is low, you have a qualifying disability or you're 65 or older, federal subsidies and government programs can cut your monthly costs. Check Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement options if you're eligible. Colorado's state marketplace also offers premium tax credits based on household income.

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Colorado?

EPO plans offer the cheapest Bronze and Silver coverage in Colorado at $483 and $594 monthly. HMO plans cost slightly more for these tiers at $498 and $625, respectively. For Gold coverage, HMO plans are more affordable at $560 compared to EPO plans at $573 monthly.

Neither EPO nor HMO plans offer Platinum coverage in Colorado. EPO plans provide more flexibility than HMOs while remaining more affordable than PPO options. PPO and POS plans may be available but generally cost more across all coverage tiers.


EPO	$483	$594	$573
HMO	$498	$625	$560

*Rates are averages for 40-year-olds in Colorado. Your rates will vary based on your age and location.

Best Health Insurance in Colorado: Bottom Line

Kaiser Permanente, Anthem and Denver Health Medical Plan lead Colorado's health insurance market for 2026. Kaiser Permanente delivers the best combination of affordable premiums and comprehensive coverage, while competitors charge higher monthly rates with steeper deductibles.

Best Colorado Health Insurance: FAQ

Colorado residents frequently ask about enrollment deadlines, state coverage requirements and coordinating multiple insurance plans:

How do I get health insurance in Colorado?

Colorado residents can get health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado, the state's official marketplace or directly from insurance companies and licensed brokers. Open enrollment runs from November 1 through January 15 for 2026 coverage. Special enrollment periods are available after qualifying life events like marriage, job loss or relocation. Many employers also offer group health plans.

Are you required to have health insurance in Colorado?

Colorado doesn't require health insurance, but without coverage, you'll pay the full price for medical care. A basic doctor visit can cost hundreds of dollars, while emergency treatment may reach thousands out of pocket.

Can you have multiple health insurance plans in Colorado?

Yes, you can have multiple health insurance plans in Colorado. Through coordination of benefits, your primary plan pays first and your secondary plan may help cover remaining costs. This setup commonly occurs when both spouses have employer-provided coverage or when combining Medicare with supplemental insurance.

Our Review Methodology

Colorado's health insurance market features mostly HMO plans. Our rankings focus heavily on monthly premiums since they create the biggest ongoing cost. We also factor in maximum out-of-pocket limits and deductibles, which affect your total yearly spending.

Our Scoring System

We weighted three cost factors:

Monthly premium (60%): Your recurring monthly payment. Lower premiums earn higher scores.
Maximum out-of-pocket (20%): The most you'll pay each year beyond premiums. Lower limits score better.
Deductible (20%): What you pay before coverage starts. Lower deductibles get higher scores.

Scores are adjusted by filter combination. For Silver-tier HMO plans, the best provider gets 5.0 points. Other providers are scored based on how they compare.

Sample Consumer Profile

We reviewed all 2026 Colorado plans for ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Pricing shows 40-year-old rates unless stated otherwise. We included Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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.

Read Full Bio »

Best Health Insurance in Colorado (2026)

Best Health Insurance Companies in Colorado

Kaiser Permanente

Anthem

Denver Health Medical Plan Inc

Best Health Insurance in Colorado by Category

Compare Colorado Health Insurance Providers

How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in Colorado

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Colorado?

Best Health Insurance in Colorado: Bottom Line

Best Colorado Health Insurance: FAQ

How do I get health insurance in Colorado?

Are you required to have health insurance in Colorado?

Can you have multiple health insurance plans in Colorado?

Our Review Methodology

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