Alliant is the best health insurance company in Tennessee for its competitive pricing and balanced cost-sharing across available plans. Insurers like Cigna, Ambetter, Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare also play a major role in the state’s market, offering a range of network sizes, benefit designs and price points that may better suit specific budgets or health care needs.
Best Health Insurance in Tennessee (2026)
Updated: December 29, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Alliant offers the best health insurance plans in Tennessee, combining competitive monthly premiums with reasonable deductibles and strong out-of-pocket cost protection.
To find the best health insurance for you, get estimates from several Tennessee insurance companies, review network access and coverage caps and confirm that your preferred doctors are included before selecting a plan.
Best Health Insurance Companies in Tennessee
| Alliant Health Plans, Inc. | $730 | $5,762 | $3,110 | 4.2 | Solocare Standard Silver Epo $6000 Ded 10007 |
| Cigna Healthcare | $766 | $6,031 | $2,199 | 4.2 | Connect Mydiabetescare Silver |
| Ambetter | $755 | $5,593 | $2,961 | 4.2 | Standard Silver |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $776 | $4,910 | $3,576 | 4.2 | Bluecross S27e $60 Pcp Copay + $0 Virtual Care From Teladoc Health® |
| UnitedHealthcare | $812 | $6,157 | $2,390 | 4.0 | Uhc Silver Advantage + (Virtual Urgent Care, Dental + Vision, No Referrals) |
| Oscar | $737 | $6,001 | $3,369 | 4.0 | Silver Classic Standard |
Our picks reflect the best companies for 40-year-olds seeking Silver-tier plans. Rates vary by age and coverage level.
Alliant
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ 5
5/5Affordability
3.1/5Deductible
3.1/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$730Average MOOP
$5,762Average Deductible
$3,110
Cigna
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ 5
4.5/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
2.5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$766Average MOOP
$6,031Average Deductible
$2,199
Ambetter
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ 5
4.7/5Affordability
3.4/5Deductible
3.5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$755Average MOOP
$5,593Average Deductible
$2,961
Best Health Insurance in Tennessee by Age
EPO plans are the only network type available in Tennessee. The best health insurance options vary by age and metal tier, with clear leaders emerging for Silver-tier coverage. When plans are compared by age group, Alliant ranks as the top choice for EPO plans, offering the lowest premiums statewide while maintaining competitive deductibles and out-of-pocket limits across all age groups.
By Age:
- Teens (18): Alliant EPO ($522 monthly)
- Young adults (26): Alliant EPO ($585 monthly)
- Adults (40): Alliant EPO ($730 monthly)
- Seniors (60): Alliant EPO ($1,550 monthly)
Compare Tennessee Health Insurance Providers
Monthly premiums, deductibles and MOOP vary across Tennessee insurers. Filter by age, metal level, plan type and HSA eligibility to compare costs.
Data filtered by:
Silver
40
No
| Alliant Health Plans, Inc. | $730 | EPO | Silver | $5,762 | $3,110 | 40 | No |
| Cigna Healthcare | $766 | EPO | Silver | $6,031 | $2,199 | 40 | No |
| Ambetter | $755 | EPO | Silver | $5,593 | $2,961 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $776 | EPO | Silver | $4,910 | $3,576 | 40 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | $812 | EPO | Silver | $6,157 | $2,390 | 40 | No |
| Oscar | $737 | EPO | Silver | $6,001 | $3,369 | 40 | No |
How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in Tennessee
Finding the right health insurance in Tennessee involves comparing your coverage needs, checking provider reputations and reviewing available enrollment options.
- 1Assess your health care needs
Review your current medications, planned procedures and how often you visit doctors to determine which coverage level makes sense. Past medical expenses help predict future costs and guide your deductible choice.
- 2Compare quotes from multiple insurers
Request rates from at least three Tennessee health insurance companies to spot price differences and coverage variations.
- 3Check provider networks
Verify your preferred doctors, specialists and hospitals accept plans you're considering. Out-of-network care costs more and may require full payment upfront.
- 4Review out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles
Higher deductibles lower monthly premiums but increase upfront costs when you need care. Your MOOP caps annual expenses, limiting your total costs.
- 5Evaluate plan types
HMOs, PPOs, EPOs and POS plans each offer different trade-offs. HMOs require referrals but cost less, while PPOs offer flexibility to see specialists without approval at higher premiums. EPOs and POS plans fall between these options.
- 6Explore federal programs
Subsidies and Medicare plans make health insurance more affordable. If you have a low income, a qualifying disability or are 65 or older, explore Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement options.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Tennessee?
Tennessee health insurance costs vary based on metal tier, age and where you live within the state. With EPO plans as the only available network type, consumers must weigh coverage levels more carefully, as monthly premiums range from about $522 for Bronze-tier plans to roughly $859 for Platinum coverage, with higher tiers offering lower deductibles and stronger out-of-pocket protection.
| EPO | $552 | $761 | $777 | $859 |
*Rates are averages for 40-year-olds in Tennessee. Your rates will vary based on your age and location.
Best Health Insurance in Tennessee: Bottom Line
Alliant, Cigna and Ambetter are the highest-rated health insurance companies in Tennessee. Choosing the right plan comes down to factors like your age, health care usage, comfort with network restrictions and overall budget, so reviewing quotes from multiple insurers and comparing premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket limits is key to finding the best fit.
Best Tennessee Health Insurance: FAQ
Tennessee residents often ask about enrollment periods, state insurance requirements and how multiple plans work together.
Is health insurance required in Tennessee?
No, Tennessee doesn't require residents to have health insurance. The state has no individual mandate or tax penalty for being uninsured. While exemptions exist in other states for financial hardship or religious beliefs, Tennessee residents face no state-level consequences for going without coverage but may still qualify for federal marketplace subsidies.
When is open enrollment in Tennessee?
Tennessee'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 Tennessee?
Yes, Tennessee residents can access free health insurance through TennCare, the state's Medicaid program, if they meet income requirements. Many others qualify for premium subsidies through the federal marketplace that reduce monthly costs or make coverage completely free.
Our Review Methodology
Our ranking system evaluates health insurance plans based on three cost factors: premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket limits.
Scoring methodology:
- Monthly premium (60%): Plans with the cheapest average monthly costs earn the highest scores.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) score (20%): MOOP is the most you'll pay for covered services in a year, not including premiums. Plans with lower MOOP limits score better.
- Deductible (20%): This is how much you pay for covered services before insurance starts paying. Plans with smaller deductibles receive higher ratings.
We standardized all scores within each plan category. The best Silver-tier HMO plan gets a perfect 5.0 score, and other plans are rated relative to that top performer.
MoneyGeek examined every 2026 health insurance plan sold in Tennessee for people ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Premium costs shown are for 40-year-olds unless stated otherwise. Our analysis covers all plan types: Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
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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.