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: January 2, 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 leads EPO Bronze coverage at $255 monthly, while Coordinated Care Corporation offers the best HMO Bronze option at $267 monthly.
- Young Adults: Community Health Plan of Washington provides EPO Bronze coverage for $286 monthly, and Coordinated Care Corporation delivers HMO Bronze plans at $299 monthly.
- Adults: Community Health Plan of Washington costs $357 monthly for EPO Bronze coverage, while Coordinated Care Corporation offers HMO Bronze plans at $373 monthly.
- Seniors: Community Health Plan of Washington starts at $757 monthly for EPO Bronze coverage, and Coordinated Care Corporation charges $792 monthly for HMO Bronze plans.
By Metal Level:
- Bronze Plans: Community Health Plan of Washington delivers Bronze-tier EPO coverage for 40-year-olds at $357 monthly with a $6,000 deductible and $10,150 maximum out-of-pocket. Coordinated Care Corporation offers HMO Bronze plans at $373 monthly with identical deductible and out-of-pocket limits.
- Gold Plans: Community Health Plan of Washington provides Gold-tier EPO coverage for 40-year-olds at $469 monthly with a $1,450 deductible and $7,900 maximum out-of-pocket. Coordinated Care Corporation's HMO Gold plans cost $505 monthly with a $1,450 deductible and $7,808 out-of-pocket maximum.
By Network Type:
- HMO Plans: Coordinated Care Corporation leads HMO options across Bronze and Gold-tier plans for 40-year-olds, with Bronze coverage starting at $373 monthly.
- EPO Plans: Community Health Plan of Washington offers the strongest EPO value across Bronze and Gold-tier coverage for 40-year-olds, with Bronze plans at $357 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?
When finding the best health insurance plan, compare both premium costs and coverage breadth to ensure the plan meets your specific medical needs without gaps in essential services. The ideal plan balances affordability with comprehensive coverage that aligns with your health requirements and anticipated medical expenses.
Is health insurance required in Washington?
Washington doesn't require residents to carry health insurance at the state level. However, going without coverage means you'll pay all medical costs yourself.
How We Chose the Best Health Insurance in Washington
Washington's health insurance market offers diverse plan options across multiple carriers, but finding the right balance between affordability and comprehensive coverage challenges residents statewide. Premium costs vary significantly between urban Seattle and rural areas, while deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums directly impact your annual healthcare expenses. We developed our analysis to identify which insurers deliver the strongest financial protection for Washington residents across all regions and income levels.
Our Scoring Framework
We focused on the three cost factors that affect your health care budget throughout the year:
- Monthly premium (60%): Your recurring payment represents the largest portion of your annual healthcare spending. Providers with lower average monthly costs score highest since consistent affordability matters most for long-term coverage sustainability.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (20%): Your MOOP creates a financial safety net by capping total annual expenses beyond premiums. Lower average MOOPs earn higher scores since they limit your exposure to catastrophic medical bills.
- Deductible (20%): Your upfront costs before insurance coverage begins affect when financial protection kicks in. Lower average deductibles score highest since they reduce immediate out-of-pocket expenses when you need care.
We normalized scores within each plan category for fair comparisons. When analyzing Bronze-tier HMO and EPO plans, the highest-scoring provider receives 5 out of 5, with other insurers scored proportionally based on their performance.
Sample Consumer Analysis
We collected comprehensive data on all available 2026 Washington health plans for consumers aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Unless specified otherwise, monthly premiums reflect 40-year-old buyers purchasing individual coverage. Our analysis encompasses Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum metal tiers across all plan types available in Washington's marketplace.
We downloaded plan information directly from Washington's state exchange and federal marketplace data to ensure accuracy across all coverage areas, from King County's urban centers to the state's rural communities.
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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.