Community Health Plan of Washington, Coordinated Care Corporation and Kaiser Permanente tie for the best health insurance in Washington with MoneyGeek scores of 4.5 out of 5. Community Health Plan averages $357 monthly with comprehensive coverage. If these companies aren't available near you, LifeWise Health Plan of Washington, BridgeSpan and Molina Healthcare also provide quality coverage.
Best Health Insurance in Washington for 2026
Updated: May 8, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Overall, Community Health Plan of Washington offers the best and most balanced coverage in Washington for health insurance.
Washington health insurance plans start at $357 monthly for Bronze, while Gold coverage reaches $568, with rates varying by age and network type.
Compare plans through Washington Healthplanfinder during Open Enrollment (November 1 to January 15, 2026) or during a special enrollment period following a qualifying life event.
Best Health Insurance Companies in Washington
Community Health Plan of Washington | $357 | $10,150 | $6,000 | 4.5 | Community Health Plan of Washington Cascade Select Bronze |
Coordinated Care Corporation (Ambetter) | $373 | $10,150 | $6,000 | 4.5 | Ambetter Cascade Select Bronze |
Kaiser Permanente | $471 | $9,250 | $6,000 | 4.5 | Bronze HSA |
LifeWise Health Plan of Washington | $467 | $9,712 | $6,231 | 4.2 | LifeWise Cascade Select Bronze |
BridgeSpan | $581 | $10,150 | $6,000 | 4.1 | BridgeSpan Cascade Bronze |
Molina Healthcare | $486 | $10,150 | $6,000 | 4.0 | Molina Cascade Bronze |
*Our analysis identifies the best health insurance companies in Washington based on Bronze-tier HMO and EPO plans for 40-year-old adults. Your rates will vary based on age, location and plan selection.
Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW)
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
2.5/5MOOP
Monthly Cost
$357MOOP
$10,150Deductible
$6,000
Coordinated Care
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
2.5/5MOOP
Monthly Cost
$373MOOP
$10,150Deductible
$6,000
Kaiser Permanente
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.2/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Monthly Cost
$471MOOP
$9,250Deductible
$6,000
Best Washington Health Insurance by Category
The best health insurance plans in Washington vary based on age, metal tier, and network type, with monthly premiums ranging from $255 for teens to $1,648 for seniors. To help shoppers navigate these differences, we compared HMO and EPO plans across age groups and metal tiers. This breakdown highlights which insurers provide the best value for each category, showing where you can find affordable coverage with manageable deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums while accessing your preferred providers.
By Age
- Teens: Community Health Plan of Washington has the lowest Bronze rate at $255 monthly for EPO coverage. Coordinated Care Corporation's HMO Bronze option runs $267 monthly.
- Young Adults: Community Health Plan of Washington's EPO Bronze plan costs $286 monthly. Coordinated Care Corporation covers the HMO side at $299 monthly.
- Adults: For EPO Bronze coverage, Community Health Plan of Washington charges $357 monthly. The HMO Bronze equivalent from Coordinated Care Corporation is $373 monthly.
- Seniors: Community Health Plan of Washington's EPO Bronze plan starts at $757 monthly. Coordinated Care Corporation's HMO Bronze option is $792 monthly.
By Metal Level
- Bronze Plans: Community Health Plan of Washington's EPO Bronze plan for 40-year-olds costs $357 monthly, with a $6,000 deductible and $10,150 out-of-pocket maximum. Coordinated Care Corporation's HMO Bronze plan is $373 monthly with the same deductible and out-of-pocket limits.
- Gold Plans: Community Health Plan of Washington charges $469 monthly for EPO Gold coverage, with a $1,450 deductible and $7,900 out-of-pocket maximum. Coordinated Care Corporation's HMO Gold plan runs $505 monthly, with a $1,450 deductible and a $7,808 out-of-pocket maximum.
By Network Type
- HMO Plans: Coordinated Care Corporation covers HMO Bronze and Gold options for 40-year-olds, with Bronze starting at $373 monthly.
- EPO Plans: Community Health Plan of Washington's EPO Bronze plan for 40-year-olds is $357 monthly, with Gold coverage available at $469 monthly.
All rates reflect Bronze-tier averages for the specified age group unless otherwise noted. Bronze-tier rates apply to HMO and EPO plan type comparisons.
Compare Washington Health Insurance Companies
Monthly premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums vary across Washington health plans. Compare costs by age, metal tier, plan type and HSA eligibility to find health insurance plans that best fit your budget and unique needs.
Data filtered by:
EPO
Bronze
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How to Find the Best Health Insurance in Washington
Finding the right health insurance in Washington means comparing coverage needs, plan networks and enrollment timing.
Decide on your coverage needs before buying
Compare monthly premiums against deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket limits. Frequent doctor visits make higher monthly premiums worthwhile when lower deductibles reduce your costs per appointment. Bronze plans cost less monthly but come with high deductibles and are best for people with emergency savings who rarely need medical care. Also, review health insurance plan types to ensure how flexible a provider will be in covering you. HMOs require referrals for specialists, while EPOs skip referrals but limit you to network providers.
Compare company offerings and reputations
Research which insurers serve your area through Washington Healthplanfinder. Check customer service records through your state's Office of the Insurance Commissioner complaint data and verify your doctors and hospitals accept the plan you're considering. Call the provider directly to confirm. Online directories aren't always current.
Shop around
Open Enrollment runs from November 1 through January 15, 2026, so enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1, 2026. Special Enrollment periods let you enroll outside this window if you've lost coverage, had a baby, gotten married or moved to Washington.
Check eligibility for Apple Health and subsidies
Washington's Apple Health (Medicaid) covers adults ages 19-64 with household income at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. That's roughly $20,783 for individuals or $43,056 for a family of four in 2026. Cascade Care plans reduce premiums for moderate-income families, with some eligible for $0 monthly costs. Washingtonians 65 and older qualify for Medicare and can explore Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plans for additional coverage.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Washington?
Health insurance costs in Washington depend on plan type, metal tier, age and location. HMO plans cost less, with Bronze coverage averaging $449 monthly and Gold reaching $568. EPO plans start at $515 monthly for Bronze and climb to $696 for Gold. Bronze and Gold plans are the only metal tiers available in the state, with no Silver or Platinum options.
| EPO | $515 | $696 |
| HMO | $449 | $568 |
*These are average monthly premiums for 40-year-olds in Washington by plan type. Your rates will vary depending on your age and location.
Best Health Insurance in Washington: Bottom Line
Overall, the best Washington health insurance companies are Community Health Plan of Washington, Coordinated Care Corporation and Kaiser Permanente. However, the best possible health insurance plan for you will vary widely depending on your personal details and coverage needs. Compare as many plans and companies as possible to get the right fit.
Best Washington Health Insurance: FAQ
Below, we've answered frequently asked questions about the best health insurance in Washington:
What is the best health insurance provider in Washington for 2026?
Community Health Plan of Washington provides the best health insurance in Washington for 2026. However, your best choice will depend on your unique circumstances and needs and if coverage is available in your county.
What should you look for when shopping for the best health insurance plan in Washington?
Start by comparing premiums across plans, but don't stop there. Check what each plan covers and whether your preferred doctors are in-network. A lower monthly rate won't save you money if the deductible is high or key services aren't covered.
Is health insurance required in Washington?
Washington has no state-level health insurance mandate. Without coverage, you'll pay the full cost of any medical care out of pocket. Learn what that means in practice.
How We Chose the Best Health Insurance in Washington
Washington's health insurance market has no shortage of options, but cost varies more than most residents expect. Premiums differ between urban Seattle and rural counties, and deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums can shift your total annual spend considerably. MoneyGeek scored insurers on the three cost factors that shape what you actually pay throughout the year.Â
Our Scoring Framework
- Monthly premium (60%): Premiums are the largest single line item in most people's annual health care spending. Insurers with lower average monthly costs score highest.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (20%): Your MOOP caps total annual costs beyond your premium. Lower average MOOPs earn higher scores because they limit exposure to large, unexpected medical bills.
- Deductible (20%): A lower deductible means insurance starts covering costs sooner. We scored insurers with lower average deductibles higher on this factor.
Scores are normalized within each plan category. For Bronze-tier HMO and EPO plans, the top-scoring provider receives 5 out of 5, with other insurers ranked proportionally.
Sample Consumer Analysis
MoneyGeek collected data on all available 2026 Washington health plans for consumers aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Monthly premiums reflect 40-year-old buyers on individual plans unless noted otherwise. The analysis covers Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum metal tiers across every plan type on Washington's marketplace.
Plan data came directly from Washington's state exchange and federal marketplace, covering coverage areas from King County to the state's rural communities.
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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 has produced original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek so people can make coverage decisions with confidence. His insurance insights have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other media outlets.
Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.
Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). He began his career in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!