Best Health Insurance in Tennessee (2026)

Alliant Health Plans has the best health insurance in Tennessee for people prioritizing low monthly costs. Its Silver coverage averages $730 per month for a 40-year-old, $36 less than Cigna and $82 less than UnitedHealthcare.

Cigna is a better option for people who expect regular medical care. Its $2,199 Silver deductible is $911 lower than Alliant's, so coverage begins sharing costs sooner.

Ambetter is worth considering for Gold coverage. Its Gold plan has a $700 deductible, the lowest among Tennessee Gold plans in our analysis.

All Tennessee marketplace carriers only sell EPO plans, which only cover in-network care except for emergencies. Confirm that your preferred doctors and hospitals participate in a plan's network before enrolling.

* Rates shown are statewide averages for 40-year-olds at the Silver-tier.

The table below compares premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for all providers in Tennessee's 2026 health insurance marketplace, sourced from HealthCare.gov. Filter by age, metal level and HSA eligibility to match plans to your situation. Rates reflect unsubsidized costs and vary based on your age and county.

Health insurance premiums in Tennessee average $552 per month for Bronze coverage, $761 for Silver, $777 for Gold and $859 for Platinum for a 40-year-old. Every marketplace plan in the state is an EPO, so costs primarily vary by insurer and metal tier. 

Lower metal tiers have lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs, while higher tiers cost more per month but cover a greater share of medical expenses.

* Rates are statewide averages for 40-year-olds in Tennessee. Your actual rates will vary based on your age and location.

The best plan in Tennessee depends on how often you use care, which carriers cover your doctors and what you can spend per month. Tennessee's EPO-only marketplace makes the in-network question more consequential than in states where out-of-network care carries partial coverage.

Tennessee doesn't have its own insurance marketplace, so all ACA enrollment runs through HealthCare.gov. If you need help comparing plans, understanding your coverage or applying for financial assistance, these government resources are available at no cost.

• HealthCare.gov: The federal marketplace where Tennessee residents compare ACA plans, check subsidy eligibility and enroll during Open Enrollment, which runs November 1 through January 15, or during a Special Enrollment Period after a qualifying life event.
• Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance: Lists every carrier available in each Tennessee rating area, provides consumer guides and handles coverage disputes. Consumer assistance line: 615-741-2218 or 1-800-342-4029.
• TennCare: Tennessee's Medicaid program. Covers eligible low-income residents, pregnant women and children. Enrollment is open year-round and operates outside of ACA Open Enrollment windows.
• CoverKids: Tennessee's Children's Health Insurance Program. Covers children in families who earn above TennCare eligibility limits but can't afford private coverage. Apply through TennCare Connect at TennCareConnect.TN.gov or by calling 855-259-0701.
• Find Local Enrollment Help: Search for certified navigators who can help you compare plans, complete your Marketplace application and understand coverage options at no cost.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for adults 65 and older and some people with qualifying disabilities. It operates separately from the ACA marketplace with different enrollment windows and coverage rules. Tennessee residents who are Medicare-eligible have two main options beyond Original Medicare.   

• Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Tennessee: Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap, cover out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn't pay, including deductibles, copayments and co-insurance.
• Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Tennessee: Medicare Advantage plans replace Original Medicare and often add prescription drug coverage, dental, vision and hearing benefits.

Plans are ranked on three cost factors:

• Monthly premium (60%): Lower average monthly cost earns a higher score.
• Maximum out-of-pocket (20%): The annual cap on covered service costs, excluding premiums. Lower limits score better.
• Deductible (20%): The amount you pay before coverage starts contributing to your costs. Carriers whose deductibles average lower across plan tiers score higher.

We standardized all scores within each plan category. The best Silver-tier EPO 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.