Best Health Insurance in Maine (2026)

Key Takeaways

Mending Health is Maine's top health insurance provider. It balances affordable premiums, manageable deductibles and reasonable out-of-pocket limits.

Anthem has the cheapest health insurance in Maine. Its out-of-pocket costs and deductibles aren't the most affordable, though.

Get quotes from multiple providers when shopping for health insurance in Maine. Comparing plans helps you find coverage fitting your budget and health care needs. You might prioritize lower upfront costs, broader doctor access or predictable annual expenses.

Maine's individual health insurance market has only four carriers selling marketplace plans statewide. The state operates its own exchange, CoverME.gov, under the Affordable Care Act framework.

When we reviewed every 2026 plan in Maine for a 40-year-old, we found that the top two carriers differ on deductibles by $34 per month on premium. Anthem's Silver-tier HMO costs $723 per month with a $4,500 deductible. The $34 monthly premium gap buys a $500 lower deductible. The overall Silver-tier spread is $73 per month or $876 per year across plans with cost-sharing structures that vary by hundreds of dollars.

Mending Health is no longer open to new Special Enrollment Period sign-ups, so if you're enrolling outside open enrollment, you'll need another carrier. For 2027 you'll choose a new plan at the next open enrollment.

Best Health Insurance Companies in Maine

Mending Health is the best health insurance company in Maine, with a $757 Silver premium and the lowest deductibles of $4,500. It combines competitive premiums, manageable deductibles and reasonable out-of-pocket maximums. Other top Maine insurer in our review of Maine's 2026 Plans include: Anthem, Harvard Pilgrim and Community Health Options. Each provides reliable coverage with different costs and network options.


Mending Health	$757	$8,500	$4,000	4.7	MENDING Clear Choice Silver 4000 (No Direct Primary Care/DPC)
Anthem	$723	$8,533	$4,500	4.6	Anthem Clear Choice Silver X Tiered 5000
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care	$796	$8,500	$4,500	4.2	Clear Choice Maine's Choice Plus HMO Silver 4000
Community Health Options	$750	$8,833	$4,933	3.8	Health Options Clear Choice Silver $4000 HMO Tiered NE

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

Mending Health has lower premium and a $500 lower deductible than Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Community Health Options costs only $7 less per month than Mending Health but it also carries a $933 higher deductible and a $333 higher out-of-pocket maximum.

Mending Health

MoneyGeek Rating

4.7/ 5

4.5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$757
Average MOOP
$8500
Average Deductible
$4000

pros
- Lowest deductibles statewide across all metal tiers
- Gold plans feature low $1,250 deductibles
- Bronze, Silver and Gold options available
cons
- Limited to HMO network structures only
- Bronze plans carry high $8,000 deductibles and $10,150 MOOP exposure
Mending Health entered the state marketplace as a regional northeastern carrier and sells HMO plans only, across Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers. Silver coverage for 40-year-olds costs $757 monthly, $3 below the state average, with a $4,000 deductible and $8,500 out-of-pocket maximum.

Bronze plans cost $673 monthly with HSA eligibility, $6,817 deductibles and $9,383 out-of-pocket maximums.
Mending Health won't offer marketplace plans in 2027, so anyone who wants to keep the same carrier for more than a year should weigh Anthem or Harvard Pilgrim Health Care now. Both will still sell ACA plans through CoverME.gov next year, this spares you a forced switch at the next open enrollment.

Mending Health sells HMO plans only. If you regularly see out-of-network specialists or travel outside Maine often, the HMO structure won't cover those visits except in emergencies. Maine residents in rural areas, such as Washington County or Aroostook County should confirm Mending Health's network includes providers within a reasonable drive before enrolling. Anthem's PPO Silver plan at $787 per month is the only non-HMO Silver option in Maine and gives you out-of-network access Mending Health can't offer.

Mending Health insurance plans in Maine:

Data filtered by:


MENDING Direct Primary Care Bronze 4950 ($0 DPC + $0 PCP + $0 Mental Health)	$655	HMO	Bronze	$10,150	$4,950	Yes
MENDING Clear Choice Bronze 8000 HSA (No Direct Primary Care/DPC)	$681	HMO	Bronze	$8,000	$8,000	Yes
MENDING Clear Choice Bronze 7500 (No Direct Primary Care/DPC)	$683	HMO	Bronze	$10,000	$7,500	Yes

Anthem

MoneyGeek Rating

4.6/ 5

5/5Affordability

3.3/5Deductible

4.7/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$723
Average MOOP
$8533
Average Deductible
$4500

pros
- Lowest premiums in the state
- Gold plans feature competitive $2,500 deductibles
- Offers both HMO and PPO options available
- Lower maximum out-of-pocket limits available on Gold tier plans
cons
- Bronze HMO plans carry high $7,267 annual deductibles
- Bronze plans have higher MOOP exposure
Anthem sells both HMO and PPO plans in Maine across Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers, the only carrier in the 2026 market offering PPO access. HMO Bronze averages $557 monthly for 40-year-olds, $52 below the state average, with HSA eligibility, $7,267 deductibles and $9,533 out-of-pocket maximums. At Gold the deductible drops to $2,500 for $777 a month, with a $6,000 maximum. Its Silver HMO costs between the two at $723, second-cheapest in that tier.
Anthem's cheapest Bronze HMO carries an $8,000 deductible and a $10,600 out-of-pocket maximum, the highest MOOP in Maine's Bronze tier. If you're managing a chronic condition or anticipating surgery, you'd pay more out of pocket with that plan than with a pricier option from a competitor. Its Silver-tier deductible also averages $500 more than Mending Health's at the same tier. And if you use enough care in a year to reach the $4,500 deductible, that difference cancels out Anthem's $34 monthly premium advantage.

Maine health insurance plans from Anthem:

Data filtered by:


Anthem Clear Choice Bronze X Tiered 6300 HSA	$563	HMO	Bronze	$8,000	$6,300	Yes
Anthem Bronze X Tiered 8000	$538	HMO	Bronze	$10,600	$8,000	Yes
Anthem Clear Choice Bronze X Tiered 7500	$572	HMO	Bronze	$10,000	$7,500	Yes
Anthem Clear Choice Bronze X PPO 6300 HSA	$597	PPO	Bronze	$8,000	$6,300	Yes

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

MoneyGeek Rating

4.2/ 5

4.2/5Affordability

3.3/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$796
Average MOOP
$8,500
Average Deductible
$4,500

pros
- Lower maximum out-of-pocket limits
- Gold plans offer lower deductibles at $2,167 annually
- Bronze, Silver, and Gold tier plans
cons
- Offers HMO plans only, limiting provider network flexibility
- Bronze plans carry high deductibles exceeding $7,300
Harvard Pilgrim's Bronze coverage for 40-year-olds costs $606 monthly. Bronze includes HSA eligibility, $7,329 deductibles and the tier's lowest out-of-pocket maximum at $8,857. Gold costs $842 monthly with competitive $2,167 deductibles and $5,667 maximum out-of-pocket costs. Its Silver averages $796 monthly with deductibles of $4,500 and $8,500 out-of-pocket limits.
At $796 monthly for a 40-year-old, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care's Silver plan costs $876 more a year than Anthem's for the same $4,500 deductible, this is only worth paying if its network includes a provider the other carriers exclude.

Harvard Pilgrim health insurance options in Maine:

Data filtered by:


Maine's Choice Plus HMO HSA Bronze 7200	$552	HMO	Bronze	$8,000	$7,200	Yes
Clear Choice Maine's Choice Plus HMO HSA Bronze 6300	$594	HMO	Bronze	$8,000	$6,300	Yes
Clear Choice HMO HSA Bronze 6300	$631	HMO	Bronze	$8,000	$6,300	Yes
Clear Choice HMO HSA Bronze 8000	$614	HMO	Bronze	$8,000	$8,000	Yes
Clear Choice Maine's Choice Plus HMO Bronze 7500	$608	HMO	Bronze	$10,000	$7,500	Yes
HMO Bronze 8500	$604	HMO	Bronze	$10,000	$8,500	Yes
Clear Choice HMO Bronze 7500	$639	HMO	Bronze	$10,000	$7,500	Yes

Community Health Options

MoneyGeek Rating

3.8/ 5

4.6/5Affordability

2.5/5Deductible

2.5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$750
Average Deductible
$4,933
Average MOOP
$8,833

pros
- Bronze-tier plans available with HSA eligibility
- Gold-tier deductible matches Anthem at $2,500
cons
- Highest average deductible and out-of-pocket maximum among Maine's Silver-tier HMOs
Community Health Options is one of the few remaining co-op carriers operating in the U.S. and the only locally headquartered insurer in Maine's 2026 marketplace. Silver-tier plans for 40-year-olds cost $750 per month with a $4,933 average deductible and $8,833 out-of-pocket maximum.

It sells Bronze, Silver and Gold HMO plans. Gold-tier coverage costs $786 per month with a $2,500 deductible and $6,000 out-of-pocket maximum, it matches Anthem's Gold deductible structure at a $9 premium difference. Bronze plans include HSA eligibility for residents who want a tax-advantaged savings option alongside lower premiums.
Community Health Options carries the highest average deductible ($4,933) and out-of-pocket maximum ($8,833) in Maine's Silver-tier market. Mending Health's Silver-tier HMO costs $7 more per month but carries a $933 lower deductible and a $333 lower out-of-pocket maximum. If you expect to use their coverage, that cost-sharing difference makes Mending Health the better option at nearly the same premium.

Community Health Options health insurance plans in Maine:

Data filtered by:


Health Options Clear Choice Bronze $7500 HMO Tiered NE	$627	HMO	Bronze	$10,000	$7,500	Yes
Health Options Essential Bronze $8500 HMO Tiered NE	$616	HMO	Bronze	$10,600	$8,500	Yes
Health Options Clear Choice Bronze $6300 HSA PPO NE	$676	PPO	Bronze	$8,000	$6,300	Yes
Health Options Clear Choice Bronze $8000 HSA Plus PPO NE	$676	PPO	Bronze	$8,000	$8,000	Yes
Health Options Clear Choice Bronze $7500 PPO NE	$646	PPO	Bronze	$10,000	$7,500	Yes
Health Options Essential Bronze $8500 PPO NE	$625	PPO	Bronze	$10,600	$8,500	Yes

Which Is the Best Health Insurance in Maine by Age and Plan Type?

Health insurance costs in Maine change by age, plan type and metal tier. Silver plans range from $516 to $1,671 monthly depending on provider and demographic. We compared premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums by age group and plan type.

By Age:

Teens (18): Mending Health HMO plans cost $540 monthly, Anthem HMO plans cost $516 and Anthem PPO plans cost $562.
Young adults (26): Mending Health HMO plans cost $606 monthly, Anthem HMO plans cost $579 and Anthem PPO plans cost $630.
Adults (40): Mending Health HMO plans cost $757 monthly, Anthem HMO plans cost $723 and Anthem PPO plans cost $787.
Seniors (60): Mending Health HMO plans cost $1,607 monthly, Anthem HMO plans cost $1,534 and Anthem PPO plans cost $1,671.
Pre-retirement adults (50): Mending Health HMO plans cost $1,057 monthly, Anthem HMO plans cost $1,010 and Anthem PPO plans cost $1,097.

By Plan Type:

PPO: Anthem charges 40-year-olds $787 monthly with a $4,000 deductible and $8,500 MOOP.
HMO: Mending Health offers quality HMO coverage for 40-year-olds at $757 monthly with a $4,000 deductible and $8,500 MOOP.

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

A 60-year-old pays nearly three times what an 18-year-old pays for the same Mending Health Silver-tier HMO: $1,607 vs. $540 per month. That $1,067 premium gap pushes some Maine residents in their late 50s, who don't yet qualify for Medicare, to go uninsured. But subsidy eligibility on CoverME.gov changes that at certain income levels as you pay far less premium once if you qualify.

Compare Maine Health Insurance Providers

Maine health insurance costs differ by provider, with variations in monthly premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums. Use the filters for age, metal tier, plan type, and HSA eligibility to find and compare the coverage that best fits your needs.

Data filtered by:


Mending Health	$757	HMO	Silver	$8,500	$4,000	40	No
Anthem	$723	HMO	Silver	$8,533	$4,500	40	No
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care	$796	HMO	Silver	$8,500	$4,500	40	No
Community Health Options	$750	HMO	Silver	$8,833	$4,933	40	No

How Should You Choose Health Insurance in Maine?

Premiums, deductibles, network access and coverage limits determine which Maine plan costs you least overall. Work through these six steps before you enroll.

1
Assess your health care needs
Start with what you use: your medications, any planned procedures and how often you see a doctor. Last year's medical bills help you estimate costs and identify which deductible range fits your situation.

Chronic conditions or upcoming surgeries add another layer, so check whether your shortlisted plans cover specialized care at Maine Medical Center or Eastern Maine Medical Center before comparing premiums.
2
Compare multiple insurer quotes
Maine's four marketplace carriers quote Silver-tier HMO plans from $723 to $796 a month for a 40-year-old, an $876 a year difference for the same coverage tier. Deductibles at that tier ranged from $4,000 to $4,933, so the cheapest monthly premium doesn't guarantee the lowest annual cost.

A plan that saves $34 a month but adds $500 to your deductible costs you more in any year you use enough care to hit it. Pull quotes from all four carriers on CoverME.gov before narrowing down.
3
Verify provider networks
Network status matters before premium does. Maine Medical Center and Eastern Maine Medical Center have different insurer partnerships, so the plan that looks best on price may not cover your closest hospital. Check network directories for each plan before enrolling because out-of-network care can require full payment upfront.
4
Review cost-sharing details
The monthly premium is what you pay whether or not you use care. Deductible and out-of-pocket maximum determine what you pay when you do. A low-premium plan with a high deductible can cost more in a year where you need care than a plan with a higher monthly rate and lower cost-sharing ceiling.
5
Evaluate plan types
HMOs, PPOs, EPOs and POS plans distribute the cost-flexibility trade-off differently. HMOs cost less and require referrals to see specialists. PPOs remove the referral requirement at a higher monthly rate. Where your doctors practice and whether you travel for care should determine which structure fits.
6
Check Federal Subsidy and Medicare Eligibility
Subsidies can bring monthly costs down for qualifying residents. Adults 65 and older, those approaching that threshold, and people with qualifying disabilities should compare Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement options alongside individual market plans. Medicare will often cost less.

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Maine?

HMO plans offer Maine's most affordable Bronze coverage at $609 monthly. Silver HMO averages $760, Gold $842. PPO plans cost more for Bronze ($644) and Silver ($789) tiers but offer the cheapest Gold coverage at $841 compared to HMO's $842.

PPO is the only plan type with Platinum coverage in Maine, with $1,087 monthly average. PPO plans expand your provider network beyond HMO options but cost more across most metal tiers. Maine doesn't offer EPO or POS plans.


HMO	$609	$760	$842	No Data
PPO	$644	$789	$841	$1,087

*Rates are averages for 40-year-olds in Maine. Your rates will vary based on your age and location.
Maine marketplace premiums rose for 2026, driven by an approved average rate increase across the state's carriers and the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies at the end of 2025. Most enrollees still qualify for premium tax credits on CoverME.gov, so the price you pay is less. Check your subsidy amount before judging any plan by its full premium.

Best Maine Health Insurance: FAQ

Maine residents can get health insurance through CoverME.gov, the state's official marketplace or buy directly from insurance companies and licensed brokers or use our guide on how to get health insurance. Open enrollment is from November 1 to January 15 for 2026 coverage. Special enrollment periods are available after qualifying life events like job loss or marriage. Employer group plans are also available.

Maine doesn't require health insurance, so you won't face penalties for going without coverage, but being uninsured means you'll pay the full cost of medical care out of pocket. A single hospital stay or emergency room visit could easily cost thousands of dollars.

Yes. You can hold multiple health insurance plans in Maine. Coordination of benefits determines the payment order: your primary plan pays first, and the secondary plan covers some or all of what remains. Dual coverage is most common when both spouses have separate employer-sponsored plans or when a Medicare enrollee adds a supplemental plan to cover gaps.

It depends on the plan type. HMO plans, sold by Mending Health, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Community Health Options, require you to use in-network providers for covered care. Anthem is the only carrier in Maine's 2026 marketplace offering both HMO and PPO Silver-tier plans. A PPO Silver plan from Anthem costs $787 per month and gives you out-of-network access, though at higher cost-sharing than in-network visits. Check each carrier's provider directory at CoverME.gov before enrolling to confirm your doctor participates.

Missing the January 15 deadline means you can't buy a marketplace plan until the next open enrollment period in November unless you qualify for a special enrollment period. Qualifying life events include losing job-based coverage, moving to Maine, getting married or having a child. MaineCare, Maine's Medicaid program, accepts applications year-round for residents who meet income requirements. Visit CoverME.gov to check your eligibility.

Our Review Methodology

We ranked Maine health insurance providers by focusing on monthly premiums first, since these represent your biggest ongoing expense. We also analyzed maximum out-of-pocket limits and deductibles, which affect your total yearly costs.

Our Scoring System

MoneyGeek weighted three cost factors to build its scores. Monthly premiums carry the most weight at 60% because they have the biggest impact on what you pay each month. Providers with lower average premiums score higher.

The remaining 40% splits evenly between maximum out-of-pocket costs and deductibles, at 20% each. Lower out-of-pocket maximums and lower deductibles both earn higher scores.

Sample Consumer Profile

We reviewed every 2026 plan listed on CoverME.gov for Maine residents aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Our data collection covers all metal tiers available in Maine: Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. We collected plan data in early 2026. Pricing shows rates for 40-year-olds unless we note otherwise.

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.

Read Full Bio »

Sources

HealthCare.gov. "Welcome to the Health Insurance Marketplace." Accessed July 22, 2026.
CoverME.gov. "A Plan That Fits. Support You Can Count On.." Accessed July 22, 2026.

Best Health Insurance in Maine (2026)

Best Health Insurance Companies in Maine

Mending Health

Anthem

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

Community Health Options

Which Is the Best Health Insurance in Maine by Age and Plan Type?

Compare Maine Health Insurance Providers

How Should You Choose Health Insurance in Maine?

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Maine?

Best Maine Health Insurance: FAQ

How do I get health insurance in Maine?

Are you required to have health insurance in Maine?

Can you have multiple health insurance plans in Maine?

Can I keep my doctor with a Maine marketplace plan?

What happens if I miss open enrollment in Maine?

Our Review Methodology

Related Pages

Sources