Best Health Insurance in Tennessee (2026)

Key Takeaways

Alliant offers the best health insurance plans in Tennessee, combining competitive monthly premiums with reasonable deductibles and low out-of-pocket maximums.

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.

Tennessee's EPO-only marketplace means there is no partial reimbursement for out-of-network care outside emergencies. That narrows the decision to premiums, deductibles and whether your doctors are in a given carrier's network. The state also lacks its own insurance marketplace, all marketplace enrollment runs through HealthCare.gov.

When we analyzed 2026 Silver-tier EPO plans for a 40-year-old, the premium difference between the cheapest and most expensive carrier was $82 per month, $984 more per year for the same metal level.

Alliant has the lowest Silver-tier premiums in Tennessee and Platinum options with no deductible. One finding worth noting before you buy Silver is that the Alliant's Gold plan costs $690 per month with a $1,313 deductible. Its Silver plan costs $730 with a $3,110 deductible. Gold is $40 less per month and saves $1,797 in deductible exposure. For anyone who expects to use their plan regularly, Alliant's Gold math beats Silver.

Best Health Insurance Companies in Tennessee

MoneyGeek's analysis of every 2026 marketplace plan across five age profiles found Alliant the best health insurance company in Tennessee. Cigna, Ambetter, Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare also score in the top tier, each with cost structures suited to different care use patterns and budgets.


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	Uhc Silver Advantage + (Virtual Urgent Care, Dental + Vision, No Referrals)
Oscar	$737	$6,001	$3,369	4	Silver Classic Standard

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

If you rarely use health care and want the lowest monthly cost, Alliant at $730 per month is the lowest Silver-tier premium in Tennessee, the right pick for buyers who rarely use health care. Cigna's $2,199 deductible saves you $911 in upfront costs compared to Alliant's $3,110, and the $36 monthly premium difference is worth it once you start using your coverage.

All four top-rated carriers share a MoneyGeek score of 4.2 out of 5, so the decision comes down to how each insurer distributes costs between deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. Blue Cross Blue Shield has the lowest average MOOP ($4,910) but the highest average deductible among the top four ($3,576). Cigna flips that: its average deductible is $2,199, the lowest of the group, but its MOOP reaches $6,031.

Alliant

MoneyGeek Rating

4.2/ 5

5/5Affordability

3.1/5Deductible

3.1/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$730
Average MOOP
$5,762
Average Deductible
$3,110

pros
- Lowest premium rates in the state
- $0 deductibles available on Platinum plans
- Coverage available across all major metal tiers
cons
- Offers EPO plans only, limiting network flexibility
- Higher maximum out-of-pocket limits on Bronze plans
Alliant Health Plans is a Georgia-based regional insurer that operates in a small number of southeastern states. In Tennessee's EPO marketplace, Alliant earned the top MoneyGeek score of 4.2 out of 5 by offering the lowest Silver-tier premiums in the state while keeping out-of-pocket limits competitive across all metal tiers.

Alliant offers EPO options across all metal tiers in Tennessee. You can choose coverage that matches your budget and expected medical costs. Platinum plans cost $859 monthly with no deductible and a $3,900 maximum out-of-pocket limit, the lowest available. Gold plans cost $690 per month, with a $1,313 deductible and a $6,263 out-of-pocket cap. Silver coverage costs $730 monthly with a $3,110 deductible and $5,762 maximum. Expanded Bronze plans start at $508, include HSA eligibility and feature a $6,375 deductible.

Alliant works for most Tennessee buyers who want the lowest Silver-tier premium in the state. Its Gold plan deserves a close look before defaulting to Silver. At $690 per month with a $1,313 deductible, it costs $40 less per month than the Silver plan and cuts the deductible by $1,797.
Alliant's EPO network is its main constraint. Out-of-network care gets no reimbursement outside emergencies, with no partial coverage for providers outside the plan. Buyers with established specialist relationships should check Cigna first: its $2,199 Silver deductible rewards frequent use and it covers Vanderbilt Health and Methodist Le Bonheur in Tennessee.

Alliant health insurance plans in Tennessee:

Alliant's Expanded Bronze plans range from $482 to $550 per month, with deductibles from $6,375 to $7,125. The cheapest option ($482) carries the highest deductible ($7,125), so the lowest-premium choice isn't always the lowest-cost plan if you need care during the year. HSA eligibility across all three plans lets you offset that deductible with pre-tax contributions.

Data filtered by:


Solocare Bronze Epo $8500 Ded Hsa 10004	$550	EPO	Expanded Bronze	$6,375	$6,375	Yes
Solocare Standard Exp Bronze Epo $7500 Ded 10008	$492	EPO	Expanded Bronze	$7,500	$5,625	Yes
Solocare Exp Bronze Epo $9500 Ded 10015	$482	EPO	Expanded Bronze	$7,613	$7,125	Yes

Cigna

MoneyGeek Rating

4.2/ 5

4.5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

2.5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$766
Average MOOP
$6,031
Average Deductible
$2,199

pros
- $1,313 deductible on Gold plans — lowest available in the state
- HSA-eligible Bronze options
- Low out-of-pocket maximums on Gold ($5,850) cons
cons
- Premiums above Tennessee state averages
Cigna covers Tennessee residents through EPO plans at Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers. Premiums cost $582 to $776 a month. Bronze plans are HSA-eligible with deductibles of $4,875 to $5,625. Gold plans have $1,313 deductibles and $5,850 out-of-pocket maximums, which are the lowest in the state. Silver plans average $766 a month with $2,199 deductibles.

Cigna's premiums run above the Tennessee Silver average of $763 per month. Its national network is the case for choosing it: broad provider access and carrier stability across the state.
At $766 per month for Silver-tier coverage, Cigna costs $36 more per month than Alliant, $432 more per year for the same metal level. That difference is offset if you use care often and benefit from Cigna's $2,199 deductible. Healthy enrollees who rarely hit their deductible will pay more with Cigna annually without a cost-sharing advantage to show for it.
Cigna health insurance plans for 2026:
Data filtered by:
Metal Level
Bronze
Connect Bronze 7500 Indiv Med Deductible $582 EPO Bronze $7,613 $5,625 Yes


Connect Bronze 7500 Indiv Med Deductible	$582	EPO	Bronze	$7,613	$5,625	Yes

Ambetter

MoneyGeek Rating

4.2/ 5

4.7/5Affordability

3.4/5Deductible

3.5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$755
Average MOOP
$5,593
Average Deductible
$2,961

pros
- $700 deductibles on Gold plans, the lowest in the market
- HSA-eligible Expanded Bronze option
- Low-income plan available
cons
- Premiums above Tennessee state averages
- Bronze deductibles reach $5,981
Ambetter's Gold plans are $797 a month with $700 deductibles and $5,488 out-of-pocket maximums. Silver is around $755 with $2,961 deductibles and $5,593 maximums. Expanded Bronze starts at $599 and is HSA-eligible, but deductibles reach $5,981.

Ambetter is worth the premium for Tennessee residents who expect regular in-network use. Its $700 Gold deductible is the lowest in the Tennessee market at that tier.
Ambetter's Bronze-tier deductibles reach $5,981, the highest in Tennessee at that level. Buyers choosing Bronze for the lower premium could pay most annual medical costs before coverage contributes. Cost-sharing reductions apply only at the Silver tier, so Ambetter's Silver plans at $755 per month are the stronger choice for income-eligible buyers.

Ambetter health insurance plans in Tennessee:

Ambetter's Expanded Bronze plans range from $564 to $660 per month depending on tier and add-ons. Adding vision and dental coverage costs $15 more per month on the Standard Expanded Bronze plan. The Elite Bronze options run $642 to $660 monthly but show no deductible data, confirm the deductible directly with Ambetter before enrolling in either Elite plan.

Data filtered by:


Standard Expanded Bronze	$566	EPO	Expanded Bronze	$7,500	$5,625	Yes
Everyday Bronze	$564	EPO	Expanded Bronze	$7,613	$6,338	Yes
Standard Expanded Bronze + Vision + Adult Dental	$581	EPO	Expanded Bronze	$7,500	$5,625	Yes
Everyday Bronze + Vision + Adult Dental	$579	EPO	Expanded Bronze	$7,613	$6,338	Yes
Elite Bronze	$642	EPO	Expanded Bronze	$7,875	No Data	Yes
Elite Bronze + Vision + Adult Dental	$660	EPO	Expanded Bronze	$7,875	No Data	Yes

Which Is the Best Health Insurance in Tennessee by Age?

EPO plans are the only network type available in Tennessee. Alliant is the best option at every age we reviewed: 18, 26, 40 and 60, a consistency no other carrier in the state matches.


Teens (18)	Alliant Health Plans	$522
Young Adults (26)	Alliant Health Plans	$585
Adults (40)	Alliant Health Plans	$730
Seniors (60)	Alliant Health Plans	$1,550

In most states, the cheapest carrier at 26 is rarely the cheapest at 60 because insurers price age bands differently. At age 60, Alliant's $1,550 monthly rate is the entry point for any cost comparison in Tennessee.

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:


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.

1
Assess your health care needs
Review how often you visited doctors, filled prescriptions and used specialist care over the past year. Tennessee's EPO-only marketplace means out-of-network visits receive no reimbursement outside emergencies, so past utilization is a more direct predictor of annual costs here than in states where out-of-network care carries partial coverage.
2
Compare quotes from multiple insurers
Request quotes from at least three carriers through HealthCare.gov. In our analysis of 2026 Silver-tier plans for a 40-year-old, the spread between the cheapest and most expensive carrier was $82 per month, $984 per year for identical coverage.
3
Check provider networks
Confirm your current doctors, specialists and hospitals are in-network before comparing premiums. A provider mismatch means paying the full cost, not a higher copay. Network verification should come before price comparison, not after.
4
Review out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles
For 2026 Silver-tier plans in Tennessee, deductibles among the top four carriers range from $2,199 at Cigna to $3,576 at Blue Cross Blue Shield, a $1,377 gap in upfront exposure. A buyer expecting regular specialist visits will reach Cigna's deductible well before reaching Blue Cross Blue Shield's. Run that math before choosing on premium alone.
5
Evaluate plan types
Tennessee sells EPO plans only, with no PPO options on this marketplace. EPOs skip referrals for specialist visits, but out-of-network care gets no reimbursement outside emergencies. In a state where the cheapest and most expensive Silver carrier differ by $82 per month, confirming your providers are in-network matters more than comparing premiums.
6
Review federal programs
TennCare covers adults up to 138% of the federal poverty level, about $20,783 for a single person in 2026. Buyers above that may qualify for subsidies through HealthCare.gov. If you're 65 or older, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans operate outside the marketplace with separate enrollment windows.

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Tennessee?

Tennessee health insurance costs vary by metal tier, age and location. EPO plans are the only network type available, so the main decision is coverage level. Monthly premiums range from approximately $552 for Bronze to approximately $859 for Platinum. Higher tiers come with lower deductibles and lower out-of-pocket limits.


EPO	$552	$761	$777	$859

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

Platinum coverage costs $307 more per month than Bronze for a 40-year-old in Tennessee, $3,684 more per year. Platinum removes your deductible and caps annual out-of-pocket costs at $3,900 with Alliant's plan.

Bronze carries deductibles above $6,000 on most plans. For anyone with a chronic condition or a planned procedure, the cost difference between tiers often pays for itself before year end.

Which Tennessee Health Insurer Is Right for You?

All six Tennessee health insurance carriers scored 4.2 or 4.0 out of 5 in our analysis. The right carrier depends on how you use health care. Match your situation to the right option below.

Alliant: Best for Lowest Monthly Cost
Alliant leads on price across every age group we reviewed, a consistency no other Tennessee carrier matches. The trade-off is a $3,110 deductible. If you rarely use health care, that number may never matter.
Cigna: Best for Regular Care Users
Cigna's $2,199 deductible is the lowest among the top four carriers, $911 less than Alliant's. You'll pay $36 more per month, but the lower deductible is worth it once you start using your plan.
Ambetter: Best Gold Deductible in Tennessee
Its Gold plan carries a $700 deductible at $797 per month, the lowest Gold deductible in the Tennessee market. Avoid Ambetter's Bronze plans: those deductibles reach $5,981, among the highest in the state at that tier.
Blue Cross Blue Shield: Best for High-Cost Years
Blue Cross Blue Shield has a $4,910 MOOP, the lowest on this page, which caps your annual costs if a major health event maxes out your spending. Its $3,576 Silver deductible is the highest among the top four carriers. Residents who expect regular care will hit that deductible long before the MOOP matters. Cigna's $2,199 deductible is the stronger fit for anyone with predictable, recurring medical costs.
UnitedHealthcare: Skip Unless Plan Extras Matter
At $812 per month, UnitedHealthcare is the most expensive Silver option here, $82 more than Alliant and $57 more than Ambetter. Its MoneyGeek score of 4.0 out of 5 trails the top three carriers. The dental and vision bundle and virtual urgent care in its Silver Advantage plan justify the premium only for buyers who'd otherwise pay separately for those add-ons. Buyers choosing on cost alone get the same EPO structure from Alliant at $730 per month.
Oscar: Skip if Cost Is the Priority
Oscar's $3,369 Silver deductible is the second highest on this page, and its $6,001 MOOP is near the top of the range for this tier. The 4.0 MoneyGeek score puts it below the top three. Its app suits buyers who manage care digitally and rarely see specialists. For anyone who expects regular specialist visits, Alliant's $3,110 deductible and $730 monthly rate are both lower.

Best Tennessee Health Insurance: FAQ

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 have no state-level consequences for going without coverage but may still qualify for federal marketplace subsidies.

Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1 through December 15, 2026. All plans take effect January 1, 2027. Outside this window, you can enroll only through a special enrollment period triggered by a qualifying life event: job loss, marriage, a new dependent or a move to Tennessee.

Yes. TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid program, is free for residents who meet income requirements. Others may qualify for federal marketplace subsidies that reduce or eliminate monthly premiums.

Our Review Methodology

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%): What you pay before coverage starts. Smaller deductibles receive higher ratings.

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.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he produces original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.

Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data. No insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.

Mark holds a B.A. from Boston College and an M.A. in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University. He started his career in financial risk management at State Street and is also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.

Read Full Bio »

Sources

HealthCare.gov. "Health Insurance Marketplace." Accessed July 24, 2026.
Division of TennCare. "TennCare." Accessed July 24, 2026.

Best Health Insurance in Tennessee (2026)

Best Health Insurance Companies in Tennessee

Alliant

Cigna

Ambetter

Which Is the Best Health Insurance in Tennessee by Age?

Compare Tennessee Health Insurance Providers

How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in Tennessee

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Tennessee?

Which Tennessee Health Insurer Is Right for You?

Best Tennessee Health Insurance: FAQ

Is health insurance required in Tennessee?

When is open enrollment in Tennessee?

Can you get free health insurance in Tennessee?

Our Review Methodology

Related Pages

Sources