PacificSource Health Plans earned a 98 out of 100 score with $398 monthly rates for young adults. MercyCare Health Plans offers an annual out-of-pocket maximum of $5,400, so you know exactly what your costs could reach in a bad year. Florida Health Care Plans processes claims efficiently, with most approved quickly. An emergency room visit for something like a broken bone can run several thousand dollars, which makes coverage valuable even when you're young and healthy.
Best Health Insurance Young Adults in 2025
Updated: November 3, 2025
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Key Takeaways
PacificSource Health Plans ranks best nationally with a 98 score and charges $398 monthly for young adults.
Health insurance for young adults averages $455 monthly for HMO plans and $524 for PPO plans.
Staying on your parent's health insurance until 26 often costs less than buying individual coverage.
Best Health Insurance Companies for Young Adults
Best Overall | PacificSource Health Plans | $398 | $8,050 | 98 |
Low out-of-pocket maximum (MOOP) | Mercy Care Health Plans | $437 | $5,400 | 97 |
Claims Processing | Florida Health Care Plans | $446 | $8,370 | 93 |
Best Health Insurance Overall for Young Adults: PacificSource Health Plans
PacificSource Health Plans
MoneyGeek Score:
98/ 100
Overview
PacificSource Health Plans ranks as the best overall health insurance company for young adults nationally with a 98 overall score. Silver plans cost just $398 monthly for 26-year-olds and the perfect MOOP score caps your annual out-of-pocket spending at $8,050, protecting your finances if medical bills pile up.
With just 3% of claims denied, you're much more likely to get coverage approved when you need care. Diabetes management programs come included at no extra cost, and the company offers similar plans with asthma and heart disease management for those who need specialized support. Your coverage extends across 34,000 providers in Oregon, Idaho and southwestern Washington, plus nationwide emergency access through Aetna Signature Administrators.
Best Health Insurance for Young Adults With Low MOOP: MercyCare Health Plans
MercyCare Health Plans
MoneyGeek Score:
97/ 100
Overview
If keeping your medical costs predictable matters to you, MercyCare Health Plans caps annual out-of-pocket spending at $5,400, thousands below what most insurers charge young adults. This perfect MOOP score gives you real financial protection when unexpected health issues pop up. You'll pay $437 monthly for Silver coverage as a 26-year-old.
The HSA-eligible option lets you stash away pre-tax dollars for future medical expenses while you're young and healthy. Heart disease management comes included, with asthma and diabetes programs available on similar plans. The company earned NCQA accreditation and a 4.5-star rating for quality performance, plus a 2024 Press Ganey award placing it in the top 5% of health plans nationwide for member experience.
Best Health Insurance for Claims Processing: Florida Health Care Plans
Florida Health Care Plans
MoneyGeek Score:
93/ 100
Overview
Getting your claims approved matters more than low premiums if the insurer denies coverage when you need it most. Florida Health Care Plans excels here with a perfect denial rate score and only 13% of claims rejected, meaning you'll face far fewer frustrating appeals. You'll pay $446 monthly for Silver coverage at age 26, just slightly lower than the national average. The perfect MOOP score keeps your annual spending at $8,370 maximum if health issues arise.
High blood pressure and cholesterol management programs come standard, with asthma and diabetes support available on similar plans.
Best Health Insurance for Young Adults by Plan Type
Choosing the right plan type shapes your health care experience as much as choosing the right insurer. The best health insurance for young adults by plan type balances network flexibility with monthly costs.
HMO plans like PacificSource deliver the lowest premiums at $398 monthly, but you'll need to stay in-network and get referrals for specialists. EPO and POS plans offer middle-ground options, while PPO plans from carriers like HealthPartners run $450 monthly but let you see any doctor without referrals. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize saving $50 per month or having maximum flexibility when health issues arise.
HMO | PacificSource Health Plans | $398 | $8,050 |
EPO | Cigna | $412 | $9,375 |
POS | Vantage Health Plan | $435 | $8.750 |
PPO | HealthPartners | $450 | $9,108 |
Best Health Insurance for Young Adults by Metal Level
Metal tiers affect how you split costs between monthly premiums and medical expenses. The best health insurance for young adults by metal level depends on your doctor visit frequency and your premium budget.
Catastrophic plans from CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield run $175 monthly but require you to be under 30 or qualify for a hardship exemption, with a $9,450 out-of-pocket maximum. Bronze and Expanded Bronze plans cost $240 to $286 monthly with similar high maximums. Silver plans like PacificSource cost $398 monthly and cap yearly expenses at $8,050. Gold and Platinum tiers have higher monthly premiums but lower out-of-pocket costs when you need medical care.
Catastrophic | CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield | $175 | $9,450 |
Bronze | Independence Blue Cross | $240 | $9,450 |
Expanded Bronze | Sanford Health Plan | $286 | $9,417 |
Silver | PacificSource Health Plans | $398 | $8,050 |
Gold | Kaiser Permanente | $413 | $7,531 |
Platinum | Anthem (BCBS) | $554 | $3,000 |
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost for Young Adults?
Health insurance costs for young adults average $455 monthly for HMO plans, the most budget-friendly choice. EPO plans cost about $497 monthly, giving you specialist access without referrals. POS and PPO options run $508 and $524, respectively with PPO plans offering the most freedom to see any doctor. These numbers reflect Silver-tier coverage for 26-year-olds across the country. Your actual costs will differ based on your location and the metal tier you select.
HMO | $455 |
EPO | $497 |
POS | $508 |
PPO | $524 |
When Should You Get Coverage if You're Turning 26?
You'll lose your parent's health insurance when you turn 26, so act before your birthday to avoid a gap in coverage. Call your parent's employer or insurance company to confirm when coverage ends, ask your employer if they offer health insurance, and set up your own Marketplace account if your parents won't claim you as a tax dependent (otherwise, stay on their application). Some states let you stay covered past 26, so check your state's rules.
Job-based insurance | During or shortly after the month you turn 26 | 60 days before to 60 days after losing coverage | First of the month after you lose coverage (if you enroll early) or after you pick a plan (if you enroll late) |
Marketplace plan | December 31 of the year you turn 26 | November 1 to January 15 in most states | January 1 of the following year |
Your employer offers coverage | Same as parent's plan | Anytime if you didn't enroll when first offered and lost parent coverage at 26 | Ask HR for your start date |
States With Extended Coverage
Ten states allow coverage beyond age 26 under specific conditions. Contact your parent's insurance company to confirm eligibility, as requirements vary by plan type and state regulations:
How to Find the Best Coverage for Young Adults
Young adults have several paths to health coverage depending on age, income and life situation. Subsidies can lower your monthly premiums, and catastrophic plans are available if you're under 30. Check your parents' plan, then explore marketplace options and financial assistance. Applications move quickly for single people with straightforward situations.
Stay on your parents' plan until 26
You can remain on a parent's health insurance until you turn 26, regardless of marital status, living situation or employment. This often costs less than buying coverage if your parents have family plans.
Check if you qualify for Medicaid
Free or low-cost coverage exists for people with lower incomes or qualifying life situations. You can apply year-round and get coverage immediately once approved. Many states expanded Medicaid eligibility based on income alone.
Explore Marketplace plans with subsidies
During open enrollment from November 1 to January 15, you can shop for plans and see if you qualify for income-based savings. Applications take less time for single people with simple situations.
If you're under 30, consider catastrophic plans
These plans charge lower monthly premiums but have higher deductibles and coinsurance. They cover 10 essential health benefits, preventive care at no cost, and three primary care visits annually before the deductible applies.
Look into student health plans
Colleges and universities often offer basic coverage at reasonable rates. You can enroll through your school's health services office.
Enroll through your employer
Many jobs include health insurance benefits that cost less than individual plans. Ask HR about eligibility requirements and when you can enroll.
Bottom Line
PacificSource Health Plans offers the best coverage for young adults with a 98 national score and $398 monthly premiums. While HMO plans average $455 and PPO plans run $524 across the country, you'll save the most by staying on your parents' plan until 26, which gives you time to build income before shopping for individual coverage.
Best Health Companies for Young Adults: FAQ
We've answered the most frequently asked questions about finding the best health insurance for young adults:
What's the cheapest health insurance for young adults in 2025?
Catastrophic plans offer the lowest premiums at $175 monthly but require you to be under 30 and cover a $9,450 out-of-pocket maximum before insurance pays. HMO plans average $455 monthly with better upfront coverage. Staying on your parent's plan until 26 is often more affordable if available.
Should I choose an HMO or PPO plan as a young adult?
Choose HMO over a PPO if you want to save $52 monthly (PacificSource at $398 vs HealthPartners PPO at $450) and don't mind staying in-network with specialist referrals. Pick PPO if you need flexibility to see any doctor without referrals, especially if you have established specialists or travel frequently.
Is a silver plan better than a bronze plan for young adults?
Bronze plans save you $158 monthly ($240 vs $398 for silver) but you'll pay more when you need care with a $9,450 out-of-pocket maximum versus $8,050. Choose silver if you qualify for income-based subsidies or expect regular doctor visits. Bronze works better if you're healthy and rarely need medical care.
Can I stay on my parents' health insurance after 26?
Ten states allow coverage beyond 26 under specific conditions. Most require you to be unmarried with no dependents and live in-state or attend school full-time. Illinois extends coverage to age 30 for veterans only, while New Jersey allows coverage until age 31. Contact your parents' insurance company to verify eligibility, as requirements vary by plan type.
How We Analyzed the Best Health Insurance Companies for Young Adults
Finding health insurance in your 20s means balancing entry-level pay with actual coverage needs. A single ER visit or unexpected surgery can drain your savings when you're just starting out. We designed our research to identify which insurers deliver the best value for 26-year-olds buying their first independent coverage.
We compared health insurance companies using four factors weighted by importance to young adults:
Rate score (50%): Monthly premiums matter most when starting your career. Lower premiums score highest.
Maximum out-of-pocket score (20%): A Lower MOOP score is better since a single ER visit can eliminate your savings.
Plan type score (20%): We evaluated HMO, PPO, EPO and POS availability. More options score higher, giving you flexibility when you move for jobs or school.
Claims denial score (10%): Fewer denials mean less hassle getting coverage approved. Lower denial rates score higher.
In some cases, we adjusted the weightings as follows:
For "Best Health Insurance for Young Adults With Low MOOP," we increased the MOOP score weighting to 50%. We decreased the rate score to 30% and the plan type score to 10%.
For "Best Health Insurance for Claims Processing," we increased the claims denial score weighting to 50%.
Sample Consumer:
All premiums reflect rates for a 26-year-old buying Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum plans. Catastrophic plans offer the lowest monthly costs if you're under 30, while Platinum plans cost more but cover expenses upfront.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like 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.
sources
- Healthcare.gov. "People under 30." Accessed October 30, 2025.
- Healthcare.gov. "Getting your own health coverage when you turn 26." Accessed October 30, 2025.