Blue Cross Blue Shield is the best health insurance company in Pennsylvania, offering HMO, EPO and PPO plans in the state with a 4.7 out of 5 MoneyGeek score. Oscar, Jefferson Health Plans, Ambetter and Geisinger Health System are also strong choices, with the best option depending on your age, budget, network preferences and eligibility for subsidies.
Best Health Insurance in Pennsylvania (2026)
Updated: April 16, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Blue Cross Blue Shield has the best health insurance in Pennsylvania, combining competitive rates with comprehensive coverage across all metal tiers.
Jefferson Health Plans offers the cheapest health insurance in Pennsylvania, with Silver-tier HMO plans averaging just $483 per month.
Compare quotes from multiple insurers, review coverage limits and deductibles and verify your doctors accept the plan before enrolling.
Best Health Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $564 | $9,050 | $3,083 | 4.7 | Keystone HMO Silver Proactive |
| Oscar | $617 | $9,467 | $3,783 | 4.4 | Silver Elite Saver Plus |
| Jefferson Health Plans | $483 | $10,600 | $4,133 | 4.3 | Jefferson Health Plans + Total + Silver + HMO + On Exchange |
| Ambetter Health of Pennsylvania, Inc. | $654 | $8,625 | $6,125 | 4.2 | Focused Silver |
| Geisinger Health System | $865 | $9,100 | $4,900 | 4 | Geisinger Marketplace Premier HMO 30/60/4900 |
*Our picks reflect the best companies for 40-year-olds seeking Silver-tier HMO plans. Rates vary by age and coverage level.
Blue Cross Blue Shield
MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ 5
4.8/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
4.3/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$564Average MOOP
$9,050Average Deductible
$3,083
Oscar
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ 5
4.6/5Affordability
4.3/5Deductible
3.7/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$617Average MOOP
$9467Average Deductible
$3783
Jefferson Health Plans
MoneyGeek Rating
4.3/ 5
5/5Affordability
3.9/5Deductible
2.5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$483Average MOOP
$10,600Average Deductible
$4,133
Best Pennsylvania Health Insurance by Category
Pennsylvania health insurance prices vary by age and network type. Silver-tier plan comparisons show clear category leaders:
By Age:
- Teens (18): Jefferson Health Plans HMO ($345 monthly), Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO ($359), Partners Insurance PPO ($377)
- Young adults (26): Jefferson Health Plans HMO ($387 monthly), Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO ($403), Partners Insurance PPO ($423)
- Adults (40): Jefferson Health Plans HMO ($483 monthly), Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO ($503), Partners Insurance PPO ($527)
- Seniors (60): Jefferson Health Plans HMO ($1,027 monthly), Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO ($1,068), Partners Insurance PPO ($1,120)
By Network Type (40-year-olds):
- HMO: Jefferson Health Plans leads at $483 monthly
- EPO: Blue Cross Blue Shield offers coverage at $503 monthly
- PPO: Partners Insurance provides Silver-tier benefits at $527 monthly
Compare Health Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania
Monthly premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums vary across metal tiers and providers. This table compares Pennsylvania health plans by policy type, age, coverage level and HSA eligibility.
Data filtered by:
HMO
Silver
40
No
| Jefferson Health Plans | $483 | HMO | Silver | $10,600 | $4,133 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $564 | HMO | Silver | $9,050 | $3,083 | 40 | No |
| Oscar | $617 | HMO | Silver | $9,467 | $3,783 | 40 | No |
| Ambetter Health of Pennsylvania, Inc. | $654 | HMO | Silver | $8,625 | $6,125 | 40 | No |
| Geisinger Health System | $865 | HMO | Silver | $9,100 | $4,900 | 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.
How to Find the Best Health Insurance in Pennsylvania
Finding the right health insurance in Pennsylvania involves comparing your coverage needs, checking insurer reputations and exploring available enrollment options.
Decide on your coverage needs before buying
Consider how often you seek medical care and compare monthly premiums with out-of-pocket limits. If you visit doctors frequently, plans with higher monthly costs but lower maximum out-of-pocket limits often save money long-term. For those rarely needing care, lower-premium plans with higher out-of-pocket expenses might be better. Review HMO, PPO and EPO plan types to understand network flexibility and referral requirements.
Compare company offerings and reputations
Research what plans insurers offer in your area and compare coverage terms, provider networks and benefits. Check company reputations through J.D. Power ratings and Pennsylvania's state complaint database to verify claims handling and customer service quality before making your decision.
Shop around
Pennsylvania rates vary based on age, plan type, coverage level and location. Open Enrollment runs from November 1 through January 15. Special Enrollment applies after qualifying life events like job loss, divorce, marriage or having a child. Compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best value for your situation.
Take advantage of federal programs and subsidies
Depending on your income, age or health condition, you may qualify for federal subsidies through Pennsylvania's marketplace on Healthcare.gov. Some residents may be eligible for $0 premium plans or Medicaid coverage. Those 65 and older can explore Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans for additional coverage options.
Average Health Insurance Cost in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania health insurance costs depend on your plan type, metal tier, age and location. HMO Bronze plans cost the least at $412 monthly. EPO plans range from $416 for Bronze to $545 for Platinum coverage. PPO plans start at $554 monthly for Bronze and reach $863 for Silver plans.
EPO | $416 | $638 | $533 | $545 |
HMO | $412 | $663 | $681 | N/A |
PPO | $554 | $863 | $706 | N/A |
* Average monthly premiums for 40-year-olds in Pennsylvania by plan type. Rates vary by age and location.
Best Pennsylvania Health Insurance FAQs
Answers to frequently asked questions about the best health insurance in Pennsylvania:
Is health insurance required in Pennsylvania?
No, Pennsylvania doesn't require residents to have health insurance. The state has no individual mandate or tax penalty for being uninsured. However, residents can still access federal subsidies through the health insurance marketplace to make coverage more affordable if they qualify based on income.
When is open enrollment in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's open enrollment period for 2026 health coverage begins November 1, 2025, and ends January 31, 2026. You must select your plan by December 31, 2025, to have coverage start January 1, 2026.
Can you get free health insurance in Pennsylvania?
Yes, Pennsylvania residents can access free health insurance through Medicaid if they meet income requirements. Many others qualify for premium subsidies through the federal marketplace that significantly reduce monthly costs or eliminate them entirely, making coverage affordable for qualifying households.
How We Chose the Best Health Insurance in Pennsylvania
Our ranking system evaluates health insurance plans based on cost factors: monthly premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket limits.
Scoring breakdown:
- Monthly premium (60%): Plans with the cheapest average monthly costs receive top scores.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) score (20%): This is the most you'll pay for covered care in a year, not counting premiums. Insurers with lower MOOP limits earn higher ratings.
- Deductible (20%): The amount you pay before insurance starts covering costs. Plans with smaller deductibles get better scores.
We standardized all scores within each plan category. The best Silver-tier HMO plan earns a perfect 5.0 rating, with other plans scored relative to this top performer.
MoneyGeek examined every 2026 health plan offered in Pennsylvania for people ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Premium costs shown reflect 40-year-old rates unless stated otherwise. Our analysis covers all available metal tiers: Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Related Pages
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for almost a decade, first with LendingTree and now with MoneyGeek, conducting original research on hundreds of insurance companies and millions of insurance rates for insurance shoppers.
He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek, breaking down complex topics so people can have confidence in their purchase. Like all MoneyGeek analysts, Mark collects and analyzes independent cost and consumer experience data on insurance companies to provide objective recommendations in our content that are independent of any of MoneyGeek's insurance company partnerships.
His insights — on products ranging from car, home and renters insurance to health and life insurance — have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR among others.
Mark holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He started his career working in financial risk management at State Street before transitioning to analysis of the personal insurance market. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!