Cheapest Health Insurance in Delaware (2024 Plans)

Health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses differ by metal tier. In Delaware, AmeriHealth offers the lowest rates for Bronze, Gold, and Silver, while Highmark (BCBS) has the most affordable plans for Catastrophic, Expanded Bronze and Platinum options.

If you are looking to balance monthly premiums with quality claims and coverage, MoneyGeek analyzed the best health insurance in Delaware.

The most cost-effective Silver plan available in Delaware is the AmeriHealth Caritas Next Silver Classic + $0 Virtual Care 24/7 + $0 Preventive Care + No-Referrals offered by AmeriHealth, boasting a monthly cost of $528. Silver plans are widely elected due to their monthly premiums and coverage balance. For individuals willing to accept higher out-of-pocket expenses in exchange for lower monthly premiums, Bronze plans can be an alternative option.

Health insurance costs are contingent upon the metal tier, each representing a balance between monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles and copays.

Here are the most affordable health insurance plans from each metal tier:

• Catastrophic: my Blue Access Major Events PPO Catastrophic 9450 - 3 Free PCP Visits (Highmark (BCBS)) ($345 per month)
• Bronze: AmeriHealth Caritas Next Bronze Classic + $0 Virtual Care 24/7 + $0 Preventive Care + No-Referrals (AmeriHealth) ($384 per month)
• Expanded Bronze: my Blue Access PPO Bronze 8900 (Highmark (BCBS)) ($420 per month)
• Gold: AmeriHealth Caritas Next Gold Classic + $0 Virtual Care 24/7 + $0 Preventive Care + No-Referrals (AmeriHealth) ($526 per month)
• Silver: AmeriHealth Caritas Next Silver Classic + $0 Virtual Care 24/7 + $0 Preventive Care + No-Referrals (AmeriHealth) ($528 per month)
• Platinum: my Blue Access PPO Platinum 0 (Highmark (BCBS)) ($783 per month)

For more information on cheap health insurance options, one can explore various plans and their corresponding costs to find coverage that suits their needs and budget.

Delaware's most cost-effective Silver-tier health plan is the AmeriHealth Caritas Next Silver Classic + $0 Virtual Care 24/7 + $0 Preventive Care + No-Referrals offered by AmeriHealth, with a monthly premium of $528.

Here are the three most affordable health Silver plans in Delaware:

• AmeriHealth Caritas Next Silver Classic from AmeriHealth ($528 per month)
• AmeriHealth Caritas Next Silver Premier from AmeriHealth ($533 per month)
• Silver S: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals from Aetna ($554 per month)

Silver plans offer a middle ground for those seeking a balance between monthly premium and out-of-pocket expenses when receiving care. They are particularly suitable for individuals or families that expect moderate health care usage. For those with lower incomes, cost-sharing reductions can significantly lower the amount you have to pay for deductibles, copayments and co-insurance, making Silver plans even more affordable and providing better access to health services.

The AmeriHealth Caritas Next Gold Classic offered by AmeriHealth stands as the most cost-effective Gold tier plan in Delaware, with a monthly cost of $526.

Among the Gold health plans available in Delaware, these three rank as the most affordable:

• AmeriHealth Caritas Next Gold Classic from AmeriHealth ($526 per month)
• Gold 3 from Aetna ($529 per month)
• Gold S from Aetna ($535 per month)

Gold plans are ideal for customers who anticipate needing a fair amount of medical care. They tend to offer lower out-of-pocket costs when accessing health care services, making them an economical choice for individuals with regular prescription needs or who often visit health care providers. Customers willing to pay higher premiums for peace of mind with reduced copays and deductibles benefit the most from Gold plans.

The most affordable Bronze plan in Delaware is the AmeriHealth Caritas Next Bronze Classic + $0 Virtual Care 24/7 + $0 Preventive Care + No-Referrals from AmeriHealth, with a monthly cost of $384.

Bronze plans are designed for individuals who want to have essential health coverage while keeping their monthly premiums low. These plans are a good fit for those who are generally healthy and do not expect to need frequent medical care. They provide basic health services and are suitable for customers prioritizing lower monthly costs over lower out-of-pocket expenses when accessing health care services.

The most affordable plan in the Expanded Bronze tier in Delaware is my Blue Access PPO Bronze 8900 offered by Highmark (BCBS), with a monthly cost of $420.

The top three most economical Expanded Bronze plans in Delaware include:

• my Blue Access PPO Bronze 8900 from Highmark (BCBS) ($420 per month)
• AmeriHealth Caritas Next Expanded Bronze Classic from AmeriHealth ($433 per month)
• my Blue Access PPO Standard Bronze 7500 from Highmark (BCBS) ($437per month)

Expanded Bronze plans are ideal for customers looking for a balance between monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. They generally offer lower premiums than Gold or Silver plans but have higher out-of-pocket costs. These plans are often suitable for those who do not expect to need frequent medical services or those seeking an affordable option while still having protection from very high health care costs.

The most affordable Catastrophic plan in Delaware is my Blue Access Major Events PPO Catastrophic 9450 - 3 Free PCP Visits from Highmark (BCBS), with a monthly cost of $277. As it is the only Catastrophic plan available in the state, Delaware residents looking for the lowest-priced option in this tier need look no further.

Catastrophic plans are intended for adults 30 years and below. Its cheaper monthly premiums are ideal for those seeking a safety net during unanticipated critical medical events. However, these plans' steep out-of-pocket costs make them unsuitable for those expecting frequent doctor's visits.

In Delaware, the most affordable Platinum tier health insurance plan is my Blue Access PPO Platinum 0 offered by Highmark (BCBS), with a monthly cost of $783.

Platinum plans are tailored for customers willing to pay higher monthly premiums in exchange for lower out-of-pocket costs when accessing health care services. This type of plan is ideal for individuals who frequently require medical care or anticipate significant health care needs. The lower copayments and deductibles found in Platinum plans can provide substantial savings for those with recurring prescriptions or ongoing medical treatments.

Individuals in Delaware earning 250% below the Federal Poverty Level are eligible for cost-sharing reductions on Silver plans, which help to reduce health care costs by lowering deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.

The most affordable Silver plan for individuals with an annual income between $14,580 and $21,870 is the AmeriHealth Caritas Next Silver Classic + $0 Virtual Care 24/7 + $0 Preventive Care + No-Referrals with a Maximum Out-of-Pocket cost of $1,900. The following list details the maximum out-of-pocket costs for the two cheapest plans:

• AmeriHealth Caritas Next Silver Classic + $0 Virtual Care 24/7 + $0 Preventive Care + No-Referrals from AmeriHealth ($528 per month; $1,900 MOOP)
• AmeriHealth Caritas Next Silver Premier + $0 Virtual Care 24/7 + $0 Preventive Care + No-Referrals Plan from AmeriHealth ($533 per month; $1,800 MOOP)

Cost-sharing reductions in Delaware are available only with the purchase of a Silver plan. The income figures mentioned are for single individuals and vary with household size.

In Delaware, the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan type is the most sought-after among available health plan options. While HMO might be the most popular, individuals have access to Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) and Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPO) as well.

The most affordable health plan in Delaware for the HMO plan type is the AmeriHealth Caritas Next Silver Classic + $0 Virtual Care 24/7 + $0 Preventive Care + No-Referrals from AmeriHealth at $528.

• HMO: AmeriHealth Caritas Next Silver Classic + $0 Virtual Care 24/7 + $0 Preventive Care + No-Referrals from AmeriHealth ($528 per month)
• EPO: Clear Silver from Ambetter ($563 per month)
• PPO: my Blue Access PPO Silver 7000 from Highmark (BCBS) ($568 per month)

PPO plans offer flexibility to see providers out of network without a referral, which could be vital for those who need to see specialists not covered by other plan types. Meanwhile, EPO plans often balance cost and flexibility by allowing direct specialist visits within a network, potentially saving on premiums and out-of-pocket costs for those who prefer staying in the network for their health care needs.

Health insurance rates and availability of specific plans vary by county in Delaware.

But since the most affordable plans in the largest and smallest counties by population in the state are the same, we chose to show the one from the largest county only.

• New Castle: AmeriHealth Caritas Next Silver Classic + $0 Virtual Care 24/7 + $0 Preventive Care + No-Referrals from AmeriHealth ($528 per month)

The following table displays all available plans in each county in Delaware.

Age is a big deal for health insurance prices in Delaware. For a Silver plan, an 18-year-old pays about $409 each month. A 60-year-old pays much more for the same plan, about $1,215 monthly. That's a difference of $806 — way higher for the older person.

Metal tiers show how insurance plans are different. A Bronze plan for a 40-year-old costs around $384 each month. But a Gold plan, which offers more coverage, is more expensive, about $586 each month. So, the Gold plan costs $202 more monthly than the Bronze plan.

MoneyGeek broke down all the health insurance options in Delaware. We explain private insurance that you can buy in the marketplace, including the different metal levels like Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. We also cover Medicaid and Medicare. Our goal is to help you understand your choices so you can pick the best health care for yourself.

In Delaware, the open enrollment period for purchasing private health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace typically runs from November 1 to December 15 of each year. During this time, residents can shop for, compare and enroll in health insurance plans. If you miss the deadline, you can sign up during a Special Enrollment Period if you experience certain life events like marriage, having a baby or losing other coverage. Otherwise, you must wait until the next open enrollment period to obtain coverage, barring any qualifying events that grant you a Special Enrollment Period.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program providing health care coverage to low-income individuals and families. In Delaware, eligibility for Medicaid is determined by income, age, pregnancy status, disability status and family size, with a focus on children, pregnant women, elderly adults and individuals with disabilities. The specific income thresholds are based on a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level and can vary annually. Applicants must also be U.S. citizens or qualified non-citizens and residents of Delaware. Individuals can apply through the Delaware Division of Social Services to determine if they meet the criteria for Medicaid benefits.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for individuals aged 65 and over, as well as for some younger people with disabilities and those with End-Stage Renal Disease. In Delaware, residents who meet these criteria are eligible. Medicare Part A covers hospital insurance, including inpatient care and skilled nursing facilities. Part B covers medical insurance for doctor visits, outpatient care and other medical services. Part C, known as Medicare Advantage, offers an alternative way to get Parts A and B coverage through private insurance companies and often includes Part D, which is prescription drug coverage. Lastly, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans are designed to help pay for out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare (Parts A and B).

MoneyGeek found the best Medicare Advantage Plans in Delaware and the best Medicare Supplement plans in Delaware.

You may have questions about cost and availability when looking for health insurance. MoneyGeek responded to frequently asked questions about cheap private health insurance in Delaware to help you learn more.