Best Health Insurance in Idaho (2026)

Key Takeaways

Molina is Idaho's top health insurance provider for HMO plans, while Moda Health is best for POS plans and Select Health is best for PPO plans in the state.

Molina provides the cheapest health insurance in Idaho while maintaining competitive deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.

In our analysis of every 2026 Idaho Silver-tier plan, the spread between the lowest and highest deductible across carriers runs from $3,000 to $6,250. A lower monthly premium can cost more over the year once deductible exposure is counted. Compare premium, deductible and out-of-pocket maximum together before choosing a plan.

Idaho's health insurance market is more stable than most states. A 1332 State Innovation Reinsurance Waiver sets aside separate funding to cover high-cost enrollees, which held Idaho's 2026 average rate increase to 10%.

In our analysis of every 2026 Idaho Silver-tier plan, the spread between the lowest monthly premium and the highest across the three top-rated carriers is $45. That gap sounds small. But the deductible spread across those same plans runs from $3,000 to $6,250. The finding that surprised us most: the rate gap between a 40-year-old and a 60-year-old on the same Molina plan is $585 per month. That's larger than the entire gap between any two carriers at the same age. For older enrollees, the age curve matters more than the carrier choice.

Best Health Insurance Companies in Idaho

For most Idaho health insurance shoppers, Molina is our top pick: its $520 Silver-tier HMO delivers the lowest monthly cost in the state while its Gold-tier plans drop deductibles to $895 for enrollees who expect to use their coverage. Select Health is the better choice if you see specialists regularly or need out-of-network access. Moda is the right fit if you want POS flexibility or qualify for its low-income Silver plan.

When we reviewed every 2026 Idaho plan, one trade-off appeared across every carrier: the lowest monthly premium never paired with the lowest deductible. Molina's $520 Silver HMO carries a $6,250 deductible. Select Health's $552 PPO cuts that to $3,000. For most enrollees who expect to use their plan, that $32 monthly difference buys $3,250 in deductible protection.


Molina Healthcare	$520	$9,280	$6,250	5.0	HMO Plans
Moda Health	$565	$8,200	$4,533	4.6	POS Plans
Select Health	$552	$9,900	$3,000	5.0	PPO Plans

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

One pattern in our analysis is worth calling out before the individual reviews: Select Health earns a perfect 5.0 MoneyGeek score despite having the highest average out-of-pocket maximum of the three carriers at $9,900. It scores there because its deductible is the lowest at $3,000 and its premiums are below Moda's. The MOOP number matters most to buyers who expect a bad year. If you're healthy and rarely file claims, that $9,900 ceiling may never come into play

Molina Healthcare

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$520
Average MOOP
$9,280
Average Deductible
$6,250

pros
- Most affordable premiums in the state
- Gold plans offer deductibles as low as $895
- Coverage available across Silver and Gold tiers
cons
- Only offers HMO plans with restricted provider networks
- Silver plans carry high $6,250 deductibles
- No Bronze tier plans
Molina earns a 5.0 MoneyGeek score by leading Idaho's 2026 marketplace on every cost dimension we measured. At $520 monthly for a 40-year-old, it posts the lowest Silver-tier premium among the three top-rated carriers. Its Gold-tier plans are where the value case gets stronger: the Molina Gold Enhanced 895 drops the deductible to $895 at $542 monthly, and the Molina Gold Core 1640 sets the deductible at $1,640 at the same price. For enrollees who expect to use their coverage regularly, both Gold plans deliver lower annual cost than the Silver tier despite the higher monthly premium.

Molina health insurance plans in Idaho:

Data filtered by:


Molina Gold Value	$529	HMO	Gold	$8,000	$2,250	No
Molina Gold Value Plus with Adult Vision	$534	HMO	Gold	$8,000	$2,250	No
Molina Gold Core 1640	$542	HMO	Gold	$8,100	$1,640	No
Molina Gold Enhanced 895	$542	HMO	Gold	$8,700	$895	No
Molina Gold Core 1640 Plus with Adult Vision	$547	HMO	Gold	$8,100	$1,640	No
Molina Gold Enhanced 895 Plus with Adult Vision	$546	HMO	Gold	$8,700	$895	No
Molina Gold Value Plus with Adult Dental and Vision	$557	HMO	Gold	$8,000	$2,250	No
Molina Gold Core 1640 Plus with Adult Dental and Vision	$570	HMO	Gold	$8,100	$1,640	No
Molina Gold Enhanced 895 Plus with Adult Dental and Vision	$569	HMO	Gold	$8,700	$895	No

Molina is a poor fit if out-of-network access matters to you. Every Molina plan in Idaho is an HMO, which means you need a referral to see a specialist and out-of-network care is not covered except in emergencies. Buyers who want to see any doctor without prior approval should look at Select Health's PPO options instead. Molina's Silver plans carry a $6,250 deductible, the highest average Silver deductible among the three top carriers, which is a meaningful exposure for anyone with regular health care needs.

Moda Health

MoneyGeek Rating

4.6/ 5

4.3/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$565
Average MOOP
$8,200
Average Deductible
$4,533

pros
- POS plans with Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers
- Bronze plans are HSA-eligible
- Low-income Silver plan
cons
- No Platinum tier plans
- High deductibles and MOOP limits on Bronze plans
Moda earns a 4.6 MoneyGeek score and is the only top-rated carrier in Idaho offering POS plans across Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers. Every Moda Select Idaho plan includes a covered annual vision exam and virtual care through CirrusMD, two benefits that aren't standard across Idaho's other top-rated plans. Its HSA-eligible Moda Select Idaho Bronze HDHP 7500 plan lets enrollees pair a $416 monthly premium with tax-advantaged savings. Its $8,200 average out-of-pocket maximum is the lowest among the three top-rated carriers.

Idaho health insurance plans from Moda Health:

Data filtered by:


Moda Select Idaho Bronze HDHP 7500	$416	POS	Bronze	$7,500	$7,500	Yes
Moda Select Idaho Bronze 10,000 + Vision Exam	$382	POS	Bronze	$10,000	$10,000	Yes
Moda Select Idaho Bronze 9200 + Vision Exam	$386	POS	Bronze	$9,500	$9,200	Yes

Moda's Bronze plans carry deductibles from $7,500 to $10,000 and a $10,000 out-of-pocket maximum. At $382 monthly for the lowest Bronze plan, the premium savings versus Moda's average plan cost are roughly $2,200 per year. One moderate claim can cost more than that in a single deductible payment. Bronze makes sense only if you're confident you won't need substantial care and you have $10,000 in savings to cover the maximum. Moda also has no Platinum-tier plan in Idaho, so buyers who want maximum coverage with minimal cost-sharing will need to look elsewhere.

SelectHealth

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$552
Average MOOP
$9,900
Average Deductible
$3,000

pros
- Below-average monthly premiums
- Some Gold plans cost less than Silver plans
- HSA-eligible Bronze plans
cons
- PPO plans only
- No Catastrophic or Platinum tier
- High Bronze deductibles
Select Health earns a 5.0 MoneyGeek score with the only PPO plans in Idaho's top three. At $552 monthly for a 40-year-old, it costs $32 more per month than Molina but cuts the Silver-tier deductible from $6,250 to $3,000. Its Gold-tier plans range from $533 to $558 monthly with deductibles from $1,000 to $1,200, making Gold-tier coverage cheaper per month than Silver while also carrying a lower deductible. Its HSA-eligible Bronze plans give lower-premium shoppers a tax-advantaged savings option starting at $349 monthly.

Select Health Plans options in Idaho:

Data filtered by:


Select Health Med Bronze 8000	$387	POS	Bronze	$10,150	$8,000	Yes
Select Health Med Exp Bronze 5000	$396	PPO	Bronze	$9,950	$5,000	Yes
Select Health SAHA Bronze 8000	$349	PPO	Bronze	$10,150	$8,000	Yes
Select Health Med Exp Bronze 8600	$403	PPO	Bronze	$8,600	$8,600	Yes
Select Health SLHP Bronze 8000	$371	PPO	Bronze	$10,150	$8,000	Yes
Select Health Med Bronze 8000	$376	PPO	Bronze	$10,150	$8,000	Yes
Select Health Med Exp Bronze 7000 - no deductible for office visits	$408	PPO	Bronze	$9,900	$7,000	Yes
Select Health Med Exp Bronze 9950 - no deductible for office visits	$395	PPO	Bronze	$9,950	$9,950	Yes

Select Health's average out-of-pocket maximum is $9,900, the highest of the three top carriers. Buyers who want the lowest ceiling on annual costs should compare Moda's $8,200 average MOOP before deciding. Select Health also has no Catastrophic or Platinum tier in Idaho, which removes it from consideration for buyers at either end of the coverage spectrum. And because it offers PPO plans only, it's not an option for buyers whose employer or subsidy situation favors HMO or POS structures.

Best Health Insurance in Idaho by Category

The best health insurance in Idaho depends on how pricing shifts by age and plan structure. Monthly Silver-tier premiums range from $358 to $1,204, but the lowest-cost option isn't always the best value once deductibles, out-of-pocket limits and network access are counted. We compared Idaho health plans by age group and plan type to show where each provider wins and where the trade-offs are sharpest.

By Age:

Teens (18): Regence POS plans start at $358 per month, Molina HMO plans at $372. Select Health PPO plans at $393.
Young adults (26): Regence POS plans cost $402 a month, Molina HMO plans are $417 and Select Health PPO plans are $443.
Adults (40): Regence POS plans are $503 a month, Molina HMO plans cost $520; Select Health PPO plans are $552.
Seniors (60): Regence POS plans are $1,064 a month, Molina HMO plans are $1,105 and Select Health PPO plans are $1,173.

Regence prices below Molina at every age group in our data. A 40-year-old pays $503 monthly for a Regence POS plan versus $520 for Molina's HMO. But Regence doesn't appear in the top overall rankings because its deductible and out-of-pocket structure scores lower when total cost exposure is factored in alongside premiums. For the healthiest buyers who are unlikely to file a claim in a given year, Regence's lower monthly rate is worth a separate quote.

Regence's rate advantage is offset in our model by its cost-sharing structure at the plan level. Rate-first shoppers should compare Regence directly on Your Health Idaho before enrolling.

By Plan Type:

PPO: Select Health's PPO coverage for 40-year-olds is $552 a month with a $3,000 deductible and $9,900 MOOP.
HMO: Molina's HMO coverage for 40-year-olds costs $520 per month is $520, with a $6,250 deductible and $9,280 MOOP.
POS: Moda's POS coverage for 40-year-olds averages $565 a month. It has a $4,533 deductible and $8,200 MOOP.

These rates are averages, which are based on Silver plans for the given category.

Compare Idaho Health Insurance Providers

Monthly premiums, deductibles and MOOP vary across Idaho insurers. To find the best Idaho health insurance for your unique needs, use the table below to filter by age, metal level, plan type and HSA eligibility.

Data filtered by:


Molina Healthcare	$520	HMO	Silver	$9,280	$6,250	40	No

How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in Idaho

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

1
Assess your health care needs
Your expected health care use is the most important input in choosing an Idaho plan. In our 2026 data, an enrollee who stays healthy and never meets their deductible pays only their monthly premium: $520 per month at Molina, or $6,240 annually. An enrollee who needs $6,250 in care pays that full deductible on top of $6,240 in premiums with Molina's Silver HMO, totaling $12,490 before coverage starts paying. Review last year's medical costs before choosing a plan tier.
2
Compare multiple insurer quotes
Request rates from at least three Idaho carriers before enrolling. In our 2026 analysis, Silver-tier monthly premiums for a 40-year-old ranged from $520 to $565 across the three top-rated providers, a gap of $540 per year. Boise and Coeur d'Alene residents have more carrier options than rural counties; compare all plans in your ZIP code before deciding.
3
Verify provider networks
Confirm your doctors and hospitals accept a plan before enrolling. Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center and Kootenai Health participate in different carrier networks. Molina's HMO covers no out-of-network care outside emergencies, so network verification matters most for Molina enrollees. Select Health's PPO allows out-of-network visits but at higher cost-sharing. Check each carrier's provider directory before you commit.
4
Review cost-sharing details
The deductible gap between Molina's Silver HMO and Select Health's Silver PPO is $3,250. The monthly premium difference is $32. If you need $5,000 in care in a year, you pay $5,000 out of pocket with Molina before coverage starts and $3,000 with Select Health. The $32 monthly savings with Molina adds up to $384 per year but it takes roughly five years of not needing care to offset one year where you do.
5
Evaluate plan types
In Idaho's 2026 marketplace, HMO plans cost $520 monthly at Silver tier (Molina) while PPO Silver plans cost $552 (Select Health), a $32 monthly gap. HMOs require a referral before specialist visits and cover no out-of-network care. POS plans from Moda average $565 monthly and allow out-of-network visits at higher cost-sharing. Match plan type to how often you see specialists and whether your doctors are in-network.
6
Check Your Eligibility for Subsidies and Medicaid
Your Health Idaho subsidies reduce monthly premiums for qualifying households. Cost-sharing reductions on Silver-tier plans also lower deductibles and copays for eligible enrollees, and Silver plans are the only tier where cost-sharing reductions apply. Tax credit eligibility depends on your household income and size; Your Health Idaho calculates this during enrollment.

Idaho expanded Medicaid, covering residents at lower income levels who don't qualify for marketplace plans. Medicare enrollees age 65 and older have separate plan options outside the Your Health Idaho marketplace. Open enrollment through Your Health Idaho runs October 15 through December 15 each year.

YOUR PLAN TYPE DETERMINES MORE THAN COST.

Before choosing your plan type, check these conditions against your situation:

HMO plans: All care must go through a primary care provider first. No out-of-network coverage except in emergencies
PPO plans: See specialists without a referral. Out-of-network visits are covered at higher cost-sharing
POS plans: Referrals required like an HMO, but out-of-network care is allowed at a higher out-of-pocket rate

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Idaho?

PPO plans offer the lowest-priced Bronze coverage at an average of $404 per month, while POS plans provide the most affordable Silver options at $512 monthly. For Gold coverage, HMO plans are the least expensive choice at $548 per month, but POS plans are the only option available at the Platinum tier, averaging $658 monthly. Overall, Bronze and Platinum plans are limited across Idaho, which can narrow choices for shoppers at both ends of the coverage spectrum.


HMO	No Data	$520	$548	No Data
POS	$441	$512	$585	$658
PPO	$404	$554	$552	No Data

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

The most striking pattern in Idaho's 2026 cost data isn't the difference between carriers: it's the difference between metal tiers within the same plan type. Bronze PPO plans average $404 monthly, but their deductibles push most routine care out of pocket before coverage starts. Silver POS plans at $512 monthly cost $108 more per month but are the only tier where cost-sharing reductions apply, which can cut deductibles sharply for qualifying households. For most Idaho enrollees who qualify for subsidies, Silver is a better value than the lower Bronze premium suggests.

WHAT YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE IN IDAHO ACTUALLY COSTS

Your monthly premium is only one part of what you pay. In our 2026 Idaho analysis, a Silver-tier Molina enrollee pays $520 monthly in premiums but reaches a $6,250 deductible before most coverage starts. Here's what each cost component means for your annual spending:

Monthly premium: The fixed amount you pay each month regardless of whether you use your plan. In Idaho's 2026 Silver tier, this ranges from $520 (Molina HMO) to $565 (Moda POS) for a 40-year-old
Deductible: The amount you pay out of pocket before your plan covers most services. Idaho's 2026 Silver-tier deductibles range from $3,000 (Select Health PPO) to $6,250 (Molina HMO). A lower monthly premium paired with a high deductible means you absorb more cost in any year you need care
Copays and co-insurance: After meeting your deductible, you continue sharing costs through fixed copays or a percentage of each service. These vary by plan and service type. Gold-tier plans carry lower cost-sharing than Silver or Bronze
Out-of-pocket maximum: The annual ceiling on what you pay beyond premiums. Once you hit this limit, your plan covers 100% of covered services for the rest of the year. Idaho's 2026 Silver-tier MOOPs range from $8,200 (Moda POS) to $9,900 (Select Health PPO)
Premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions: Qualifying households pay less than the rates shown above. Tax credits lower your monthly premium. Cost-sharing reductions, available only on Silver-tier plans, lower your deductible, copay and co-insurance amounts. Your Health Idaho calculates your eligibility during enrollment

Best Health Insurance in Idaho: Bottom Line

In our analysis, Molina is the right starting point for most Idaho health insurance shoppers. Its $520 monthly Silver-tier HMO is the lowest rate in the state, and its Gold-tier Molina Gold Enhanced 895 plan cuts the deductible to $895 for enrollees who expect to file claims regularly. The premium savings compound every month a healthy enrollee doesn't need care.

That changes for enrollees managing chronic conditions or expecting procedures. Select Health's PPO at $552 monthly carries a $3,000 deductible versus Molina's $6,250. If you need $5,000 in care, you pay $5,000 with Molina before coverage starts. You pay $3,000 with Select Health. That $2,000 difference on a single high-claim year far outweighs the $384 in annual premium savings. Moda's POS plans are the better call if out-of-network flexibility matters and you qualify for its low-income Silver plan.

Best Idaho Health Insurance: FAQ

Idaho residents often ask about enrollment periods, state insurance requirements and how multiple plans work together:

How do I get health insurance in Idaho?

Idaho residents can buy health insurance through Your Health Idaho, the state's official marketplace or directly from insurance companies and licensed brokers. Open enrollment through Your Health Idaho runs October 15 through December 15 each year. Special enrollment periods apply after qualifying events like marriage, job loss or relocation. Employer group plans offer another coverage option.

Are you required to have health insurance in Idaho?

Idaho doesn't require health insurance. You won't face penalties without coverage, but you'll pay full medical costs out of pocket. A hospital stay or emergency room visit costs thousands of dollars.

Can you have multiple health insurance plans in Idaho?

Yes, you can have multiple health insurance plans in Idaho. Your primary plan pays first. Your secondary plan may cover remaining eligible expenses through coordination of benefits. Common scenarios include dual employer coverage between spouses or Medicare with supplemental insurance.

Our Review Methodology

Idaho's health insurance market features mostly HMO, POS and PPO plans. We ranked providers by focusing heavily on monthly premiums since they represent your biggest ongoing cost. We also factored 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 carries the most weight. Lower premiums earn higher scores.
Maximum out-of-pocket (20%): This caps your total yearly costs beyond premiums. Lower limits score better.
Deductible (20%): The amount you pay before coverage starts. Lower deductibles receive higher scores.

Scores are adjusted for each filter combination. In Silver-tier HMO, POS and PPO plans, the best provider gets a 5.0 score. All others are ranked relative to that top performer.

Sample Consumer Profile

We reviewed every 2026 plan in Idaho for ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Pricing shows rates for 40-year-olds unless stated otherwise. Our analysis covers all metal tiers: Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

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 has produced original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek so people can make coverage decisions with confidence. His insurance insights have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other media outlets.

Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.

Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). He began his career in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

Read Full Bio »

Best Health Insurance in Idaho (2026)

Best Health Insurance Companies in Idaho

Molina Healthcare

Moda Health

SelectHealth

Best Health Insurance in Idaho by Category

Compare Idaho Health Insurance Providers

How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in Idaho

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Idaho?

Best Health Insurance in Idaho: Bottom Line

Best Idaho Health Insurance: FAQ

How do I get health insurance in Idaho?

Are you required to have health insurance in Idaho?

Can you have multiple health insurance plans in Idaho?

Our Review Methodology

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