Ambetter is the best health insurance for individuals in New York. Its Silver-tier HMO plans average $756 monthly, 36% below the state average. Health First ranks best for couples and Independent Health for families. Univera Healthcare and MVP Health Care round out the top five.
Best Health Insurance in New York (2026)
Updated: February 18, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Ambetter offers the best coverage in New York for individuals, with a perfect MoneyGeek score of 5 out of 5.
Ambetter provides the most affordable health insurance in New York for individuals at $564 monthly for Bronze-tier HSA-eligible plans.
Choose the best health insurance in New York: compare quotes from multiple providers, check your household size and balance monthly premiums against deductible and MOOP costs.
Best Health Insurance Companies in New York
Individuals | Ambetter | $756 | $10,150 | $2,450 | 5 |
Couples | HealthFirst | $1,970 | $10,150 | $2,450 | 4.9 |
Families | Independent Health | $2,959 | $10,150 | $2,450 | 4.8 |
Best Gold-Tier HMO | MVP Health Care | $1,263 | $10,150 | $775 | 5 |
Best Platinum-Tier EPO | Univera Healthcare | $1,488 | $2,000 | $0 | 5 |
Our recommendations highlight the best options for different household coverages on Silver-tier INN plans. Keep in mind that rates vary based on your coverage level and specific health needs.
Best New York Health Insurance Company for Individuals
Ambetter
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Monthly Cost
$756MOOP
$10,150Deductible
$2,450
Best Health Insurance in New York for Couples
Health First
MoneyGeek Rating
4.9/ 5
4.8/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Monthly Cost
$1,970MOOP
$10,150Deductible
$2,450
Best Family Health Insurance in New York
Independent Health
MoneyGeek Rating
4.8/ 5
4.7/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Monthly Cost
$2,959MOOP
$10,150Deductible
$2,450
Best New York Health Insurance by Category
Plan type and metal tier set New York health insurance rates. Individual premiums range from $564 to $2,538 monthly. HMOs cover all five metal tiers (Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum). EPOs skip Bronze and cover four tiers (Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum). New York doesn't sell PPO plans.
- Bronze: Ambetter's HSA-eligible Bronze HMO costs $564 monthly with an $8,050 out-of-pocket maximum. CDPHP offers the only non-HSA Bronze HMO at $873 monthly.
- Expanded Bronze: MVP charges $780 monthly for HSA-eligible HMOs. Univera charges $758 monthly for EPOs.
- Silver: Ambetter's HMOs start at $756 monthly. Univera's EPOs start at $985 monthly.
- Gold: MVP charges $1,263 monthly for HMOs. Univera charges $1,256 monthly for EPOs.
- Platinum: MVP charges $1,547 monthly for HMOs. Univera charges $1,488 monthly for EPOs. Both have $0 deductibles.
- HMO Plans: Ambetter's Silver HMO costs $756 monthly ($2,450 deductible, $10,150 out-of-pocket maximum).
- EPO Plans: Univera's Silver EPO costs $985 monthly ($2,450 deductible, $10,150 out-of-pocket maximum).
Rates above show averages for individual coverage in each category.
Compare Health Insurance Providers in New York
When you shop for health insurance in New York, check multiple providers to find coverage that fits your needs and budget. Use the filters below to compare top insurers by plan type, metal level and HSA eligibility for individuals, couples or families.
See how premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums and provider networks vary and pick a plan that balances affordability with access to the doctors and services you need.
Data filtered by:
Individual
INN
Bronze
Yes
| Ambetter | $564 | INN | Bronze | $8,050 | $5,500 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,256 | INN | Bronze | $8,050 | $5,500 |
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in New York?
New York health insurance costs vary by metal tier, plan type and household size. INN (In-Network) plans offer the widest metal tier selection. Bronze starts at $892 monthly, Silver runs $1,175, Gold costs $1,458 and Platinum tops out at $1,773 with $0 deductibles. Bronze isn't available through HMO or EPO plans. For Silver coverage, HMO costs $1,101 monthly while EPO runs $1,123. Gold ranges from $1,360 (HMO) to $1,458 (INN), and Platinum options span $1,663 to $1,773 depending on whether you choose HMO, EPO or INN.
| EPO | No Data | $1,123 | $1,432 | $1,697 |
| HMO | No Data | $1,101 | $1,360 | $1,663 |
| INN | $892 | $1,175 | $1,458 | $1,773 |
How to Find the Best Health Insurance in New York
Finding the best health insurance for you in New York starts with understanding how you can get care and who you are covering, whether that's only you, a partner or your whole family. In New York, many people shop through NY State of Health, which screens you for Medicaid, the Essential Plan and Marketplace coverage in one application. All individual and small group plans are community rated, so your premium depends on factors like age, region and family size, not your health history.
Start with your household’s health needs
List regular care first: primary care visits, mental health support, prescriptions and any planned surgeries or pregnancies. That list helps you decide whether a lower premium with higher cost at the doctor, or a higher premium with more predictable copays, feels safer for your budget.
Match plan type and network to how you use care
HMO and EPO plans usually cover care only from in-network providers, so always confirm that your doctors and hospitals are in network. State and federal rules also limit surprise bills for certain emergency and out-of-network care in in-network facilities.
Look for savings and discounts you qualify for
Through NY State of Health, many New Yorkers qualify for premium tax credits or reduced copays and deductibles based on income, which can lower what you pay each month and at the doctor. Some plans also offer extras such as wellness or gym discounts, so review those details when you compare options.
Choose a metal tier with your risk comfort in mind
Bronze and some Expanded Bronze plans keep premiums lower but expect you to pay more when you use care. Silver, Gold and Platinum plans raise the monthly cost but the plan pays a higher share of covered services.
Look at total yearly cost, not just the premium
For each plan, compare the premium, deductible, copays or coinsurance for your common visits and the out-of-pocket maximum. That maximum is the most you pay in a year for covered in-network care; once you reach it, the plan pays the full cost of covered services for the rest of the year.
Best Health Insurance in New York: Bottom Line
New York health insurance varies by household size and budget. Ambetter provides best health insurance for individuals with rates starting at $756 monthly for Silver-tier coverage or $564 for budget-conscious Bronze plans. Health First serves couples best, while Independent Health ranks highest for families. Compare quotes from multiple providers to find best coverage matching your needs and budget.
Health Insurance in New York: FAQs
New Yorkers seeking health insurance have questions about costs and options. We've answered frequently asked questions to help you choose the best coverage for your needs:
What is the best health insurance company in New York?
Ambetter earns a perfect 5 out of 5 for people with low premiums and solid coverage. Health First ranks best for couples. Independent Health ranks best for families. Your best option depends on household size and whether you want low premiums or low out-of-pocket costs.
What should you look for when shopping for the best health insurance plan in New York?
Balance premium costs and cost of care when you pick a health insurance plan. Different plan types cover different levels of in-network and out-of-network care, which changes your total health care costs and experience.
How do you buy health insurance in New York?
Buy coverage through NY State of Health at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777. Open enrollment runs through January 31, 2026. Enroll by December 15 to start coverage January 1.
Is health insurance required in New York?
New York doesn't enforce a state mandate and the federal penalty ended in 2019. Go without coverage and you pay full price for medical care plus risk major out-of-pocket costs.
How We Ranked the Best Health Insurance in New York
We evaluated New York health insurance companies based on three cost factors that hit your budget.
How we scored providers:
- Monthly premium (60%): Lowest average monthly costs get highest scores.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) score (20%): The MOOP caps your annual spending on health care costs beyond monthly premiums. Lowest average MOOP gets highest scores.
- Deductible (20%): Your deductible is what you pay for covered services before insurance pays. Lowest average deductibles get highest scores.
We normalized provider scores within each filter category. When we analyze Silver-tier INN (in-network) plans, the top provider gets 5 out of 5 and remaining providers get scored proportionally.
MoneyGeek analyzed all available 2026 New York health insurance plans for individuals, couples and families. Unless noted otherwise, monthly premiums reflect rates for individuals. Analysis includes Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum metal tiers across INN, HMO and EPO plan types.
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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.