Best Health Insurance in Vermont (2026)

Best Health Insurance Companies in Vermont

MVP Health Care is the best health insurance company in Vermont, with Silver HMO plans averaging $1,113 per month with a $3,050 deductible. Blue Cross Blue Shield is the top EPO option, averaging $1,304 per month with a $3,625 deductible.

MVP costs $191 less per month than Blue Cross Blue Shield, saving you $2,292 per year in premiums. But MVP's HMO plans don't cover out-of-network care, so check that your preferred doctors, specialists and hospitals are in-network before choosing the lower-cost option.

Vermont's individual marketplace has only two insurers, MVP and Blue Cross Blue Shield. The state also prohibits age-based premium differences, so adults pay the same premium for the same plan regardless of age. Compare plan type, provider networks and out-of-pocket costs before enrolling.


MVP Health Care	HMO	$1,113	$9,075	$3,050
Blue Cross Blue Shield	EPO	$1,304	$9,700	$3,625

* Rates shown are statewide averages for 40-year-olds with Silver-tier plans. Rates vary by location, plan type, provider and coverage level.

MVP Health Care

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$1,113
Average MOOP
$9,075
Average Deductible
$3,050

pros
- HSA-eligible Bronze, Silver and Gold plans
- Low-income plans sold at reduced or no premium cost
- Out-of-pocket maximums as low as $1,600 on Platinum plans
cons
- HMO structure limits care to in-network providers
- Bronze deductibles reach as high as $7,960
MVP Health Care is Vermont's only HMO carrier on the 2026 exchange and the most affordable option in the state. Bronze plans average $841 a month and Silver plans average $1,113 a month, a $272 a month difference. Bronze deductibles range from $6,000 to $10,150 versus $3,050 to $4,119 for Silver.

For buyers who use health care regularly, Silver's lower deductible offsets the higher premium within a few claims. HSA-eligible Bronze and Silver plans let you pair high-deductible coverage with a tax-advantaged savings account, cutting the effective annual cost for buyers who fund the HSA consistently.
MVP's HMO network is a problem for anyone living in a rural area, traveling frequently or receiving ongoing care from out-of-state specialists. Blue Cross Blue Shield's EPO plans cost $191 more a month, or $2,292 more a year.

For buyers managing a chronic condition or receiving care at an out-of-state facility, that premium buys referral-free specialist access that an HMO doesn't cover.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$1,304
Average MOOP
$9,700
Average Deductible
$3,625

pros
- EPO network structure eliminates referral requirements
- Platinum coverage offers low $500 deductible and $1,600 out-of-pocket maximum
- HSA-eligible plans available for tax-advantaged medical savings
cons
- Higher monthly premiums than HMO plans in Vermont
- Bronze plans carry deductibles as high as $10,150
Blue Cross Blue Shield is Vermont's only EPO carrier on the 2026 exchange. EPO plans drop the referral requirement that HMO enrollees must meet before seeing a specialist. BCBS Silver-tier plans cost $191 more per month than MVP's Silver HMO.

At $1,580 monthly with a $500 deductible and $1,600 out-of-pocket maximum, its Platinum plans cost less annually than Silver for anyone who expects to reach the deductible. BCBS Bronze plans carry deductibles up to $10,150 for non-HSA-eligible options. These plans are best for healthy adults who want low-probability catastrophic coverage and don't expect to use that deductible in a year.
MVP Health Care's HMO plans cost $121 to $214 less per month than BCBS's EPO plans at every metal tier, $1,452 to $2,568 less annually. BCBS earns its higher rate for buyers who actually use the referral-free structure: multiple specialists, ongoing chronic condition management or care split between Vermont and another state.

Compare Health Insurance Companies in Vermont

Vermont's health insurance marketplace includes HMO plans from MVP Health Care and EPO plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield across all metal tiers, age groups and HSA eligibility categories. Insurers can't vary premiums based on age, gender, health status or other risk factors in the state, but premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums vary by insurer, plan type and metal tier.

Data filtered by:


MVP Health Care	$1,113	HMO	Silver	$9,075	$3,050	No
MVP Health Care	$1,113	HMO	Silver	$9,075	$3,050	No
MVP Health Care	$1,113	HMO	Silver	$9,075	$3,050	No
MVP Health Care	$1,113	HMO	Silver	$9,075	$3,050	No
MVP Health Care	$1,113	HMO	Silver	$9,075	$3,050	No

How to Find the Best Health Insurance in Vermont

Finding the right health insurance in Vermont means matching your coverage needs to the right plan type, insurer and enrollment window.

Decide on your coverage needs before buying
How often you use care determines which tier saves you more. Buyers who visit doctors more than twice a year or fill regular prescriptions usually spend less on Silver or Gold than on Bronze, because the lower deductible offsets the higher premium within a few claims.

Vermont's marketplace only offers HMO and EPO plans. The gap between the cheapest Bronze HMO ($824 monthly) and the most expensive Platinum EPO ($1,580) is $756 per month or $9,072 annually. An enrollee who reach their deductible every year saves money on a Gold or Platinum plan compared to Bronze, even though the monthly premium is higher.
Compare company offerings and reputations
Review each carrier's provider directory before enrolling. MVP's HMO network and BCBS's EPO network both require in-network care, so confirming your current doctors participate is more useful than comparing scores between two carriers that rate identically.
Shop around
Vermont's open enrollment is from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15 via Vermont Health Connect, with a Dec. 15 deadline for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2026. The core question is Silver HMO versus Silver EPO, a $191 monthly difference.
Take advantage of federal programs and subsidies
Vermont Health Connect determines subsidy eligibility when you apply. Some Vermont residents qualify for plans with $0 premiums through Medicaid based on income. Premium tax credits are also available for higher-income buyers who don't qualify for Medicaid.

Vermont also has the Vermont Premium Assistance (VPA) program, which lowers monthly premiums by 1.5% of your household's total annual income. You must enroll through Vermont Health Connect to access it. Buyers who purchase directly from the carrier cannot apply VPA.

In 2026, 77% of Vermont Health Connect enrollees qualified for advance premium tax credits. Those subsidies averaged $947 per month and reduced the average eligible buyer's monthly cost to about $183.

Vermonters 65 and older can compare Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans separately from the marketplace. Platinum plans through MVP cost $1,366 monthly for a 60-year-old, the same rate as a 40-year-old, a pricing structure that doesn't exist in most other states.

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Vermont?

Vermont health insurance costs vary by plan type, metal tier, HSA eligibility and low-income plan status. HMO plans are the most affordable, ranging from $841 per month at the Bronze tier to $1,366 per month for Platinum. EPO plans range from $962 a month for Bronze to $1,580 a month for Platinum.


HMO	$841	$1,128	$1,173	$1,366
EPO	$962	$1,319	$1,338	$1,580

* Rates are statewide averages.

Best Health Insurance in Vermont: Bottom Line

MVP Health Care's Silver HMO is our top pick for most Vermont residents with established in-network care relationships and no ongoing out-of-state specialist needs. Choose MVP over Blue Cross Blue Shield to save $191 per month at the Silver tier. If you need referral-free specialist access or live where the MVP's HMO network is thin, Blue Cross Blue Shield's EPO plans is a good fit for you.

Best Vermont Health Insurance: FAQ

Answers to questions about finding the best health insurance:

Yes. Vermont requires residents to have health insurance or pay a state tax penalty at filing. Exemptions cover financial hardship, religious objections and short coverage gaps. State subsidies are available to qualifying residents and can reduce monthly premiums.

Vermont's health insurance open enrollment period starts November 1 and ends January 15. You must select a plan by December 15 for coverage to begin January 1.

Yes, Vermont residents can access free health insurance through Medicaid if they meet income requirements. Others qualify for premium subsidies through Vermont Health Connect, the state's marketplace.

HMO plans require you to use in-network providers for all non-emergency care and get a referral before seeing a specialist. EPO plans drop the referral requirement but keep the in-network restriction. Choose MVP's HMO if your doctors are in Burlington or Montpelier and you don't see out-of-state specialists. Blue Cross Blue Shield's EPO works if you need referral-free specialist access or receive ongoing care outside Vermont's network.

Vermont Premium Assistance lowers your monthly health insurance premium by 1.5% of your household's total annual income. A Vermonter earning $48,000 annually would save $720 per year through VPA. You must enroll through Vermont Health Connect to access it. Buying a plan directly from MVP Health Care or Blue Cross Blue Shield makes you ineligible.

Our Review Methodology

We weighted three cost factors:

Monthly premium (60%): Plans with lower average monthly costs score higher.
Maximum out-of-pocket (20%): The annual cap on health care costs beyond premiums. Lower MOOP limits score better.
Deductible (20%): The amount you pay before coverage begins. Lower average deductibles score higher.

We standardized all scores within each filter group. The top Silver HMO plan scores five out of five, with other plans scored relative to that benchmark.

To build our rankings, we used a standard profile: a 40-year-old individual seeking individual coverage in Vermont. We adjusted age across five profiles (18, 26, 40, 50 and 60) to identify how rankings shift across age groups. Rates shown reflect the 40-year-old profile unless otherwise noted. Premium costs shown reflect rates for a 40-year-old unless stated otherwise. Our analysis covers Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum coverage levels.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick is a licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut and MoneyGeek's resident expert in insurance and economics. In nearly a decade covering the insurance market at LendingTree and MoneyGeek, he's analyzed hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR. He draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnerships affect his recommendations.

Mark studied at Boston College and later earned a master's in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University. He worked in financial risk management at State Street before joining MoneyGeek. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.

Read Full Bio »

Sources

HealthCare.gov. "Health Insurance Marketplace." Accessed September 14, 2026.
Vermont Health Connect. "When can I apply for health coverage?." Accessed September 14, 2026.

Best Health Insurance in Vermont (2026)

Best Health Insurance Companies in Vermont

MVP Health Care

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Compare Health Insurance Companies in Vermont

How to Find the Best Health Insurance in Vermont

Decide on your coverage needs before buying

Compare company offerings and reputations

Shop around

Take advantage of federal programs and subsidies

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Vermont?

Best Health Insurance in Vermont: Bottom Line

Best Vermont Health Insurance: FAQ

Is health insurance required in Vermont?

When is open enrollment in Vermont?

Can you get free health insurance in Vermont?

What's the difference between HMO and EPO health insurance in Vermont?

What is the Vermont Premium Assistance program?

Our Review Methodology

Related Pages

About Mark Fitzpatrick