Cheapest Delaware Health Insurance (2023 Plans)

In addition to Silver plans, you can select from other metal tiers to find a plan that fits your preferred deductible, premium and maximum out-of-pocket limits. In Delaware, Highmark (BCBS) has the most affordable options for Catastrophic, Bronze, Gold and Platinum tier plans.

Silver S: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7 is the most affordable health insurance option in Delaware, with a monthly premium of around $542.

The cost of health insurance plans varies based on the metal tier. Tiers with more comprehensive coverage tend to have higher premiums.

MoneyGeek’s research found that Aetna and Highmark (BCBS) have the most affordable health insurance options in Delaware.

Here are the most affordable health insurance plans for different metal tiers:

• Catastrophic: my Blue Access Major Events PPO Catastrophic 9100 - 3 Free PCP Visits (approximately $319 per month)
• Bronze: my Blue Access PPO Standard Bronze 9100 (approximately $403 per month)
• Expanded Bronze: Bronze: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7 (approximately $403 per month)
• Silver: Silver S: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7 (approximately $542 per month)
• Gold: my Blue Access PPO Standard Gold 2000 (approximately $528 per month)
• Platinum: my Blue Access PPO Platinum 0 (approximately $753 per month)

While more comprehensive metal tiers such as Gold and Silver plans may have higher premiums, they also come with lower out-of-pocket costs and increased benefits. This trade-off could be worth it if you frequently access medical services.

Silver S: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7 is the cheapest Silver health plan in Delaware, with an average monthly premium of $542.

Here are the most affordable Silver plans in Delaware:

• Silver S: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7 from Aetna: approximately $542 monthly
• Silver 3: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7 from Aetna: approximately $549 monthly
• my Blue Access PPO Silver from Highmark (BCBS): approximately $553 monthly

Silver plans balance premium prices and MOOPs, making them the preferred choice among many individuals. In addition, the recommended plans in the table are all HMOs. This plan type, while not necessarily the cheapest, is the most accessible for residents of Delaware.

In Delaware, the most affordable Gold plan is my Blue Access PPO Standard Gold 2000, costing roughly $528 monthly.

Here are the cheapest Gold plans in Delaware:

• my Blue Access PPO Standard Gold 2000 from Highmark (BCBS): approximately $528 per month
• my Blue Access PPO Gold 1700 HSA from Highmark (BCBS): approximately $534 per month
• AmeriHealth Caritas Next Gold + Free Telemedicine + Free Preventive Care + Healthy Rewards from AmeriHealth: approximately $541 per month

Gold plans are pricier than lower-value tiers but have lower MOOPs. While they feature higher premiums, they lower the amount you pay before your coverage kicks in.

The most economical Bronze plan in Delaware is my Blue Access PPO Standard Bronze 9100, with an average monthly premium of $403.

Here are the most cost-effective Bronze plans available in the state:

• my Blue Access PPO Standard Bronze 9100 from Highmark (BCBS): approximately $403 per month
• AmeriHealth Caritas Next Bronze + Free Telemedicine + Free Preventive Care + Healthy Rewards from AmeriHealth: Approximately $405 per month

Although Bronze plans have low monthly premiums, they come with high deductibles. You'll pay more out of pocket if you receive health care services with a Bronze plan.

Bronze: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7 is the cheapest Expanded Bronze plan in Delaware, costing around $403 monthly.

The cheapest plans include:

• Bronze: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7 from Aetna: approximately $403 monthly
• Bronze S: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7 from Aetna: approximately $409 monthly
• Bronze: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + Low-cost MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7 from Aetna: approximately $425 monthly

Expanded Bronze plans offer some benefits before you meet your deductible, like coverage for one service. They do have copays.

If you're searching for Catastrophic plans in Delaware, the most affordable option for a 26-year-old is my Blue Access Major Events PPO Catastrophic 9100 - 3 Free PCP Visits, with a monthly premium of approximately $256.

Catastrophic plans have low monthly premiums and very high deductibles. They provide an affordable way to obtain protection, but they are only available to individuals under 30 or those facing hardships.

The cheapest Platinum health insurance plan in Delaware is my Blue Access PPO Platinum 0 plan from Highmark (BCBS), costing around $753 monthly.

The top three cheapest Platinum plans in Delaware are:

• my Blue Access PPO Platinum 0 from Highmark (BCBS): approximately $753 monthly
• my Blue Access PPO Platinum 0 + Adult Dental and Vision from Highmark (BCBS): approximately $785 monthly
• my Blue Access PPO Standard Platinum 0 from Highmark (BCBS): approximately $790 monthly

Platinum plans have the highest premiums among the metal tiers but offer the lowest out-of-pocket costs. They’re a great choice if you frequently receive medical care.

If your income is below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), you may qualify for cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) to lower your health insurance costs.

The Silver S: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7 plan is the most affordable option in Delaware for low-income individuals, costing around $542 monthly.

The MOOP varies based on your income:

• Income lower than $20,385 annually: Silver S: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7 ($1,800 MOOP)
• Income from $28,386 to $27,180 annually: Silver S: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7 ($3,000 MOOP)
• Income from $27,181 to $47,565 annually: Silver S: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7 ($7,200 MOOP)

The income limits only apply to individuals wanting Silver plans. They could be different if you live with others.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans are the most prevalent type of health insurance plan in Delaware, but you can also find Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans.

Our research found that the my Blue Access PPO Silver 5900 is the most affordable PPO in Delaware. This Highmark (BCBS) plan costs approximately $553 per month.

PPOs are usually more expensive compared to HMOs, but they provide more flexibility and a broader network. They also don’t require a referral if you’re looking to see a specialist.

The availability of certain types of insurance plans may vary in different regions of Delaware, and the cost of the most affordable plan can differ between counties.

For Silver plans in Delaware, this is not the case. The most affordable plan, Silver S: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7, costs the same in both the largest county (New Castle) and the smallest (Kent), at an average of $542 per month.

The table below allows you to view your options in your specific county.

Health insurance costs can vary greatly depending on the policyholder's preferred coverage and age.

On average, you’ll have to pay increased premiums if you want more coverage. Here are the average insurance prices for different metal tiers for a 40-year-old in Delaware:

• Catastrophic: approximately $319
• Bronze: approximately $808
• Expanded Bronze: approximately $872
• Silver: approximately $1,130
• Gold: approximately $1,155
• Platinum: approximately $776

Age also plays a role in the price of your health insurance. Since older individuals are more likely to use medical services, they are considered a higher risk to insure and are charged higher rates.

Here is the average cost of Silver plans in Delaware for different age groups:

• 26-year-old: approximately $905
• 40-year-old: approximately $1,130
• 60-year-old: approximately $2,399

MoneyGeek collected data from health insurance companies to find the most affordable options for Delaware residents. During open enrollment, you can review these plans and choose one that meets your needs.

It is worth considering if you qualify for government-run health insurance programs like Medicaid (for low-income individuals) and Medicare (for older adults or people with disabilities). These programs can be less expensive than standard health insurance plans.

The open enrollment period for private insurance plans typically runs from November 1 to January 15. During this time, buyers have the opportunity to purchase health insurance from the marketplace.

It's important to note that December 15 is the final day to enroll for coverage that will start on January 1.

Health insurance plans in Delaware are divided into several metal tiers, including Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The lower the metal tier, the lower the monthly premium but the higher the out-of-pocket costs.

• Catastrophic plans tend to have the most affordable premiums but the highest out-of-pocket costs. They are a good option if you're looking for the lowest rates, but you need to qualify by being under 30 years of age or having a hardship exemption.
• Bronze plans have lower premiums and higher out-of-pocket costs, making them suitable for relatively healthy individuals who expect to make fewer visits to doctors or specialists. They are not recommended for people with chronic health conditions.
• Expanded Bronze plans have slightly higher cost-sharing than Bronze plans but are still lower than Silver plans.
• Silver plans are the most popular option, with moderate premiums and out-of-pocket costs. These plans offer the potential to reduce copays, co-insurance and deductibles with cost-sharing reductions for low-income individuals.
• Gold plans have higher premiums than Silver and Bronze plans, but they also feature lower out-of-pocket costs and more comprehensive benefits. This may work for you if you need frequent care.
• Platinum plans are the highest metal tier. Despite the high monthly premium, nearly all your health care services will be covered. These plans are ideal for individuals with substantial medical needs who are looking for comprehensive coverage.

In Delaware, Medicaid is an affordable option for health insurance as it is a government-funded program that provides free medical coverage. Since Delaware has expanded its Medicaid, the sole eligibility criteria for the program is income. To qualify, your annual income should be below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level.

If Medicaid is not available for you, see if Medicare is an option. To qualify for Medicare, you must be 65 years or older or have a disability or illness that meets the eligibility criteria.

Medicare requires payment for certain coverage but is generally more affordable than other plans.

Medicare is divided into three parts:

• Part A: covers inpatient care, such as hospital stays
• Part B: covers outpatient care and services, such as doctor visits and preventive services
• Part D: covers prescription drugs and vaccines

MoneyGeek revised our list of Delaware’s best Medicare Advantage plans and best Medicare Supplement plans.

MoneyGeek answered frequently asked questions about the cost and availability of different health insurance options in Delaware to help you find the right plan.