Best Health Insurance in Ohio (2026)

Key Takeaways

Anthem is Ohio's leading health insurance provider, with Silver plans averaging $635 per month and statewide coverage across all 88 Ohio counties.

SummaCare provides the cheapest health insurance in Ohio with Silver-tier HMO plans averaging $546 per month.

Ohio's ACA marketplace only has HMO plans, no PPO or EPO options, so all plans require referrals for specialist care. Confirm your primary care doctor participates in a plan's network before enrolling.

Best Health Insurance Companies in Ohio

Anthem has the best health insurance in Ohio with competitive average rates, maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits and deductibles. SummaCare's average monthly premium is $546, compared with Anthem's $635, a difference of $89 per month. Over a full year, that adds up to $1,068 in premium savings for a 40-year-old enrolled in a Silver plan.

SummaCare's average out-of-pocket maximum is $841 higher than Anthem's. SummaCare's lower premium saves money in years you barely use your plan.


Anthem	$635	$4,844	$2,484	4.7	Anthem Silver Pathway 5500
SummaCare	$546	$5,685	$3,061	4.4	Summacare Silver 3500
Ambetter	$602	$5,657	$3,182	4.2	Standard Silver
Molina Healthcare	$566	$5,792	$3,338	4.2	Molina Silver Standard
MedMutual	$692	$5,641	$2,861	4.1	Silver $5,000 W/ Virtual & Wellness On-Ex
UnitedHealthcare	$715	$5,988	$2,561	4.0	UHC Silver Advantage+
Paramount	$727	$5,094	$3,849	4.0	Paramount Everyday Silver NCO OE
Oscar	$630	$6,049	$3,429	3.9	Silver Classic Standard

* Our picks reflect the best companies for 40-year-olds seeking Silver-tier plans. Rates vary by age and coverage level.

Ohio's ACA marketplace is HMO-only. MoneyGeek analyzed all eight carriers in Ohio's 2026 marketplace and found a $181 monthly spread between the cheapest and most expensive Silver-tier plans for a 40-year-old, a difference of $2,172 per year for identical coverage rules.

Anthem

MoneyGeek Rating

4.7/ 5

4.6/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$635
Average MOOP
$4,844
Average Deductible
$2,484

pros
- Access to thousands of doctors and hospitals across all 88 Ohio counties
- HSA-eligible options across Bronze, Expanded Bronze and Silver tiers
- Low-income plans available
cons
- Gold costs $830 monthly, running 10% above state average
- Bronze has high $7,950 deductible and out-of-pocket maximum
Anthem is Ohio's best overall health insurance provider because it's the only insurer with statewide coverage across all 88 counties, including rural areas where other carriers don't operate. Silver HMO plans average $635 monthly with $2,484 deductibles and $4,844 out-of-pocket maximums. Expanded Bronze starts at $500 with HSA eligibility and $5,500 deductibles. Gold plans reach $830 monthly but drop deductibles to $1,500.

My recommendation: Silver is the stronger tier for most Anthem buyers in 2026. Anthem's Gold plan costs $195 more per month than Silver and carries a $1,306 higher out-of-pocket maximum. Its only cost advantage is a $984 lower deductible, which recovers less than half the $2,340 annual premium difference. In a year where you hit your deductible, Gold still costs $1,356 more than Silver.

When we compared Anthem's Gold and Silver plan data, one number stood out: Anthem's Gold MOOP is $6,150, $1,306 higher than the Silver MOOP of $4,844. Gold plans at most carriers carry lower MOOPs than Silver at Anthem. It's a counterintuitive cost structure that buyers shopping by tier alone won't catch until they compare the MOOP columns.
Anthem is the only carrier covering all 88 Ohio counties, which is its defining advantage over regional insurers. If you live in Columbus, Cleveland or Cincinnati and your preferred doctors are in SummaCare's or Ambetter's network, those carriers offer better pricing without the statewide coverage premium you won't use. SummaCare's Silver plan costs $89 less per month than Anthem's. In Northeast Ohio, SummaCare's network covers the same urban hospital systems Anthem does for most buyers.

Anthem Plan Details


Plans Available	2	3	5	1
Best Plan	Anthem Bronze Pathway 10600	Anthem Bronze Pathway 8500	Anthem Silver Pathway 5500	Anthem Gold Pathway 2000 Standard
Average Premium	$470	$500	$635	$830
Average Deductible	$7,950	$5,500	$2,484	$1,500
Average MOOP	$7,950	$7,275	$4,844	$6,150
HSA Plans	2	3	1	0

* Rates shown are statewide averages for nonsmoking 40-year-olds.

SummaCare

MoneyGeek Rating

4.4/ 5

5/5Affordability

3.9/5Deductible

3.3/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$464
Average MOOP
$9,800
Average Deductible
$5,200

pros
- Silver plans 19% and Gold plans 15% below the state average
- Gold costs $98 more than Silver with a lower $1,350 deductible
- HSA-eligible plan options
cons
- HMO-only network, with no out-of-network coverage
- Expanded Bronze deductible of $6,788
SummaCare has the most affordable HMO plans in Ohio, with Silver premiums 19% and Gold premiums 15% below the state average. Its Silver plan costs an average of $546 per month with a $3,061 deductible, saving residents $1,572 per year compared with the state average. The Gold plan costs $644 per month with a $1,350 deductible, $98 more per month than Silver. For budget-conscious shoppers, SummaCare also offers an Expanded Bronze plan starting at $469 per month with HSA eligibility.

As a regional insurer focused on Northeast Ohio, SummaCare's provider network is strongest in Summit, Stark and surrounding counties. Residents in Columbus, Cincinnati and more rural parts of the state should verify that their preferred doctors, hospitals and specialists are in-network before enrolling.
SummaCare's network is built around Summit and Stark counties. Residents in Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton should confirm their primary care doctor and if any specialists accept SummaCare before enrolling. The insurer's directory may show limited options outside Northeast Ohio.

Buyers in their 50s should also model SummaCare's premiums at age 60 before committing. Ohio's statewide Silver average more than doubles between age 40 ($677 per month) and age 60 ($1,439 per month). That 112% increase applies across all Ohio HMO carriers, so locking into a lower-premium plan today is a longer-range cost decision than it appears at enrollment. If your providers aren't in SummaCare's network, Ambetter's Silver plan costs $602 per month and operates across a broader set of Ohio counties.

SummaCare Plan Details


Plans Available	2	4	6	5
Best Plan	SummaCare Bronze 8000	SummaCare Standard Bronze	SummaCare Silver 3500	SummaCare Gold 2000
Average Premium	$433	$469	$546	$644
Average Deductible	$6,000	$6,788	$3,061	$1,350
Average MOOP	$7,950	$7,725	$5,685	$6,375
HSA Plans	2	4	0	0

* Rates shown are statewide averages for nonsmoking 40-year-olds.

Ambetter

MoneyGeek Rating

4.2/ 5

4.7/5Affordability

5/5Denial Rate

3.3/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$546
Average MOOP
$5,685
Average Deductible
$3,061

pros
- Cheapest Gold HMO plan in the state at $615 monthly
- HSA-eligible Expanded Bronze option available
- Low-income plan available
- No specialist referral required on Premier HMO plans
cons
- 20% claim denial rate
- Expanded Bronze carries a $5,800 deductible
Ambetter has the cheapest Gold HMO plans in Ohio at an average of $615 per month, 19% below the state average with savings of $1,717 per year. Ambetter's Silver plans average $602 per month. Gold costs $615, a gap of $13 per month or $156 per year. In exchange, Gold reduces your average deductible from $3,182 to $1,163, a difference of more than $2,000.

The trade-off is Ambetter's 20% claim denial rate. One in five claims is denied on the first submission, a higher rate than many Ohio competitors. Ambetter also offers an Expanded Bronze plan starting at $499 per month with HSA eligibility.
Ambetter's 20% claim denial rate is the sharpest trade-off. One in five claims is denied on the first submission. That doesn't mean claims go unpaid permanently, but it does mean you'll likely spend time on appeals that other Ohio carriers don't require at the same frequency. Buyers managing chronic conditions or seeing specialists regularly will feel that friction more than people who use care rarely. Anthem's Silver plan costs $33 more per month and covers all 88 Ohio counties, which removes one layer of coverage risk if network access matters alongside claims handling.

Ambetter Plan Details


Plans Available	6	4	6
Best Plan	Choice Bronze	Standard Silver	Complete Gold
Average Premium	$499	$602	$615
Average Deductible	$5,800	$3,182	$1,163
Average MOOP	$6,850	$5,657	$6,213
HSA Plans	6	0	0

* Rates shown are statewide averages for nonsmoking 40-year-olds.

Compare Health Insurance Companies in Ohio

Health insurance costs in Ohio vary by age, metal tier and insurer. Premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums differ across plans. The table below shows how those factors affect your options and HSA eligibility.

Data filtered by:


Summacare	$546	HMO	Silver	$5,685	$3,061	40	No
Molina Healthcare	$566	HMO	Silver	$5,792	$3,338	40	No
Antidote Health Plan Of Ohio, Inc.	$572	HMO	Silver	$6,246	$3,943	40	No
Ambetter	$602	HMO	Silver	$5,657	$3,182	40	No
Oscar	$630	HMO	Silver	$6,049	$3,429	40	No
Anthem	$635	HMO	Silver	$4,844	$2,484	40	No
Caresource	$668	HMO	Silver	$5,407	$3,040	40	No
Medmutual	$692	HMO	Silver	$5,641	$2,861	40	No
UnitedHealthcare	$715	HMO	Silver	$5,988	$2,561	40	No
Paramount	$727	HMO	Silver	$5,094	$3,849	40	No

*Some providers offer multiple plans of the same type and tier. Rates are based on company averages across all available plans for the given age, plan type and metal tier.

The most counter-intuitive finding in MoneyGeek's Ohio analysis is at Ambetter's Gold tier. Ambetter's Gold plan costs $615 per month, $13 more than its own Silver plan. That $156 annual difference buys a $2,019 lower deductible. For any buyer who expects to use more than a few hundred dollars of care during the year, Gold costs less than Silver at Ambetter once total annual spending is calculated.

How to Find the Best Health Insurance in Ohio

Ohio's ACA marketplace is HMO-only, with eight carriers available for 2026. Your premium, deductible and MOOP are the three numbers that determine actual annual cost, not just the monthly rate.

Match your budget to how often you use medical care
Your annual spending on doctor visits, prescriptions and procedures determines which plan saves you money. Frequent care makes higher premiums with lower deductibles worthwhile. Lower-premium Ohio plans with higher deductibles work better if you rarely see doctors.
Verify your doctors and medications are covered
Before enrolling, make sure your doctors, hospitals and specialists are included in the plan's network. You should also review the plan's prescription drug formulary to confirm your medications are covered and understand what you'll pay. The same prescription can have widely different costs depending on the insurer and formulary tier, so checking drug coverage ahead of time can help you avoid unexpected expenses.
Compare metal tiers
Bronze plans have the lowest premiums but highest deductibles. Monthly costs increase with Gold and Platinum plans, but you pay less when you need care. Silver plans work best for moderate health care users. Your true cost equals annual premium plus expected out-of-pocket expenses.

The cheapest Ohio health insurance plans are Bronze-tier, the cheaper tier over a year depends on how much care you expect to use. In MoneyGeek's 2026 Ohio analysis, the gap between a Silver and Gold deductible at Ambetter is $2,019, with only a $13 monthly premium difference. Running that math for your expected care level takes under five minutes and can reverse which tier saves you money.

Premiums in Ohio vary by age, county and coverage level. Open Enrollment runs November 1 through January 15, with Special Enrollment available after job loss, marriage, divorce, having a baby or losing coverage.
Check if you qualify for free or subsidized plans
Premium tax credits apply to incomes between 100% and 400% of Federal Poverty Level. Silver plans can cost as little as $0 for qualifying applicants. Incomes up to 250% FPL also get cost-sharing reductions that lower deductibles and copays. On Ohio's 2026 marketplace, Silver plans with cost-sharing reductions can drop deductibles well below the statewide Silver average of $3,096 for income-eligible buyers. Verify your subsidy amount at HealthCare.gov before treating any premium in MoneyGeek's table as your actual cost.

Ohio Medicaid provides coverage for low-income adults and families at no cost. Seniors can review Medicare Advantage plans that bundle hospital, medical and dental benefits or Medicare Supplement plans that fill Original Medicare's coverage gaps.

Outside open enrollment, a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) lets you sign up within 60 days of a qualifying life event. Losing job-based coverage, getting married, having a baby and moving to a new coverage area all trigger an SEP. Apply at HealthCare.gov within 60 days of the event or coverage can't start until the next open enrollment.

What's the Average Cost of Health Insurance in Ohio?

Ohio's ACA marketplace only has HMO plans, so health insurance premiums vary by company, age, county and metal tier rather than network structure. For 40-year-olds, Bronze HMO plans average $464 monthly, Silver plans average $677 and Gold averages $758. Costs rise sharply with age. A 60-year-old pays $985 for Bronze and $1,439 for Silver, more than double what a 26-year-old pays for the same tier.


18	$331	$366	$484	$541
26	$372	$411	$543	$607
40	$464	$512	$677	$758
50	$648	$716	$947	$1,059
60	$985	$1,088	$1,439	$1,609

*Average monthly premiums for 40-year-olds in Ohio by plan type. Rates vary by age and location.

Best Medicare Insurance in Ohio

If you're 65 or older or qualify through disability, your health coverage options in Ohio extend beyond ACA marketplace plans. Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans cover different needs in Ohio. Advantage plans bundle hospital, drug and dental coverage; Supplement plans fill Original Medicare's gaps in deductibles and copays. Medicare Advantage premiums vary widely. Plans with lower monthly costs often have smaller provider networks or narrower drug formularies. Which plan costs less overall depends on your doctors, hospital and prescriptions.

To help you compare your options, MoneyGeek analyzed Medicare plans available in Ohio and identified the top choices across key coverage types:

Ohio Health Insurance Resources

Ohio residents can access state and federal programs for health coverage assistance, dispute resolution and health care connections.

Ohio Department of Insurance: File complaints about claim denials, billing errors or insurer conduct at Insurance.Ohio.gov. Call 1-800-686-1526 for consumer help.
Ohio Medicaid: Covers low-income adults earning up to 138% of federal poverty level, plus children, pregnant women and individuals with disabilities. Enroll at Medicaid.Ohio.gov or call 1-800-324-8680.
Federal Health Insurance Marketplace: Shop subsidized plans between November 1 and January 15 at HealthCare.gov. Qualifying life events trigger Special Enrollment Periods. Call 1-800-318-2596 for application support.
Ohio 211: Dial 211 or visit Ohio211.org to find community health centers, prescription assistance and behavioral health services.

Which Health Insurance Provider Should You Pick in Ohio?

Anthem, SummaCare and Ambetter are the top health insurance companies in Ohio, but the best choice depends on your budget, location and health care needs.

Choose Anthem if you want the broadest provider access. Anthem provides coverage in all 88 Ohio counties and is a reliable option for residents in rural areas and regions where smaller insurers have limited availability.
Choose SummaCare if keeping premiums low is your top priority and you live within its service area. Its Silver plan costs $1,572 less per year than the state average.
Choose Ambetter if you expect to use health care services frequently. Its Gold plan costs $615 per month, 19% below the state average. The Gold deductible is more than $2,000 lower than its Silver plan for $13 more per month.

Best Ohio Health Insurance: FAQ

Is health insurance required in Ohio?

Ohio does not require residents to have health insurance and has no penalty for going uninsured. Residents can still access federal subsidies through HealthCare.gov.

When is open enrollment in Ohio?

Ohio's open enrollment for 2026 coverage ran November 1, 2025, through January 15, 2026. Buyers with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for premium tax credits through HealthCare.gov.

Can you get free health insurance in Ohio?

Ohio residents who meet income requirements can get free health insurance through Medicaid. Others may qualify for subsidies through Ohio's marketplace that reduce or eliminate monthly premiums.

Does Ohio health insurance require referrals to see a specialist?

Yes. Ohio's ACA marketplace offers HMO plans only, and HMOs require a referral from your primary care doctor before seeing a specialist. PPO and EPO plans aren't available through Ohio's marketplace. Out-of-network care isn't covered except in emergencies.

We evaluated all insurers offering plans in Ohio's 2026 exchange, covering all available plan types and metal tiers. Data was collected from CMS exchange files released for the 2026 plan year. Within each insurer, the "best plan" designation shows the plan with the strongest combination of premium, deductible and MOOP scores at the Silver tier for a 40-year-old nonsmoker.

Scoring methodology:

Monthly premium (60%): Providers with the lowest average monthly costs score highest. Premiums account for the largest share of annual health care spending for most Ohioans.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) score (20%): The MOOP caps your annual spending beyond premiums. Lower average MOOPs score higher because they limit your worst-case annual cost.
Deductible (20%): Your deductible is what you pay for covered services before insurance pays. Lower average deductibles score higher because they reduce how much you pay before coverage starts.

Learn more: MoneyGeek Health Insurance Review Methodology

About Patrick Bryant

Patrick Bryant is the Vertical Lead for Health Insurance at MoneyGeek, where he researches insurance products, writes consumer guides and maintains the scoring methodologies behind our provider comparisons. He analyzed more than 100 health insurance carriers across all 50 U.S. states and multiple policy types. His methodologies are reviewed quarterly to reflect current market conditions and carrier data.

Read Full Bio »

Sources

HealthCare.gov. "Welcome to the Health Insurance Marketplace." Accessed June 27, 2026.
CMS.gov. "What are you looking for today?." Accessed June 27, 2026.

Best Health Insurance in Ohio (2026)

Best Health Insurance Companies in Ohio

Anthem

Anthem Plan Details

SummaCare

SummaCare Plan Details

Ambetter

Ambetter Plan Details

Compare Health Insurance Companies in Ohio

How to Find the Best Health Insurance in Ohio

What's the Average Cost of Health Insurance in Ohio?

Best Medicare Insurance in Ohio

Ohio Health Insurance Resources

Which Health Insurance Provider Should You Pick in Ohio?

Best Ohio Health Insurance: FAQ

Is health insurance required in Ohio?

When is open enrollment in Ohio?

Can you get free health insurance in Ohio?

Does Ohio health insurance require referrals to see a specialist?

Our Methodology

Related Pages

Sources