Cheapest Health Insurance in Idaho (2024 Plans)

Health insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs differ by metal tier. Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Inc. provides Idaho's most affordable Bronze, Silver and Gold options, while Mountain Health CO-OP provides the cheapest Catastrophic and Platinum plans.

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

With the IAFN Silver 6500 POS plan offered by Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Inc., Idaho residents can access the cheapest plan in the popular Silver tier at just $410 monthly. Silver plans are the most common choice for their balance of cost and coverage. Consumers open to higher out-of-pocket expenses might consider Bronze plans for lower monthly premiums.

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

• Catastrophic: LINK CATASTROPHIC from Mountain Health CO-OP ($182 per month for 26-year-olds)
• Bronze: IAFN Bronze Essential 8500 With 4 Copay No Deductible Office Visits POS from Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Inc. ($305 per month)
• Silver: IAFN Silver 6500 POS from Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Inc. ($410 per month)
• Gold: IAFN Gold 2500 POS from Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Inc. ($436 per month)
• Platinum: LINK PLATINUM from Mountain Health CO-OP ($591 per month)

For more information on cheap health insurance options, you can explore further details and compare plans at MoneyGeek.

The most cost-effective Silver tier health insurance plan in Idaho is the IAFN Silver 6500 POS plan from Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Inc. at a monthly cost of $410.

Below are the top three most affordable Silver plans in the state:

• IAFN Silver 6500 POS from Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Inc. ($410 per month)
• IAFN Silver 5500 Separate RX Deductible POS from Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Inc. ($426 per month)
• CPN North Central Silver Copay 3500 from Blue Cross of Idaho Health Service, Inc. ($428 per month)

Silver plans are well-suited for individuals who want a balance between monthly premium costs and out-of-pocket expenses when they need medical care. They typically have moderate premiums and lower expenses when you receive care. Customers may also qualify for cost-sharing reductions, which can make copayments, co-insurance and deductibles more affordable, effectively lowering the overall costs of health care services under these Silver plans.

The most affordable plan in the Gold tier in Idaho is the IAFN Gold 2500 POS plan offered by Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Inc. at a monthly cost of $436.

The three most affordable Gold plans in Idaho are:

• IAFN Gold 2500 POS from Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Inc. ($436 per month)
• Gold 1 from Molina Healthcare of Idaho ($442 per month)
• Gold 1 with Adult Vision Services from Molina Healthcare of Idaho ($447 per month)

Gold plans are well-suited for individuals anticipating substantial health care services throughout the year. These plans typically offer lower out-of-pocket costs when receiving care, making them a good fit for consumers who frequently visit doctors or require regular medications. Gold plans can provide valuable financial protection for customers willing to pay a higher monthly premium in exchange for peace of mind that they won't face steep costs during a health event.

The most affordable option in the Bronze tier in Idaho is the IAFN Bronze Essential 8500 With 4 Copay No Deductible Office Visits POS plan from Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Inc., coming in at a monthly cost of $305. The CPN North Central Bronze HSA 6250 plan from Blue Cross of Idaho Health Service, Inc. is equally affordable.

Here are Idaho's three cheapest Bronze plans:

• IAFN Bronze Essential 8500 With 4 Copay No Deductible Office Visits POS from Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Inc. ($305 per month)
• CPN North Central Bronze HSA 6250 from Blue Cross of Idaho Health Service, Inc. ($305 per month)
• KCN North Bronze HSA 6250 from Blue Cross of Idaho Health Service, Inc. ($311 per month)

Bronze plans typically offer the lowest premium costs but incur higher out-of-pocket expenses when the policyholder utilizes medical services. They are ideal for individuals who expect low health care expenses throughout the year and want to keep their monthly premiums as low as possible. They are also suitable for those who primarily want coverage for significant health events or emergencies rather than routine care.

The LINK CATASTROPHIC plan from Mountain Health CO-OP stands as the most affordable Catastrophic plan in Idaho, with a monthly cost of $182.

The most affordable Catastrophic plans in the state include the following:

• LINK CATASTROPHIC from Mountain Health CO-OP ($182 per month)
• ACCESS CATASTROPHIC from Mountain Health CO-OP ($190 per month)
• CPN North Central Catastrophic 9450 from Blue Cross of Idaho Health Service, Inc. ($211 per month)

Catastrophic plans primarily serve adults under 30 or those with a hardship exemption. These plans have low premiums but high out-of-pocket costs, making them suitable for consumers who want to minimize monthly expenses while still having a safety net for major medical events. People requiring frequent medical care or prescriptions may want to explore other health care metal tiers.

The LINK PLATINUM plan from Mountain Health CO-OP stands as the most affordable Platinum tier option in Idaho, with a monthly cost of $591.

• LINK PLATINUM from Mountain Health CO-OP ($591 per month)

Platinum plans best serve individuals who anticipate needing frequent medical care and prefer the certainty of higher premiums for more comprehensive coverage. These plans often have lower out-of-pocket costs when accessing health care services, making them suitable for those who prefer less financial variability. As the premium plan level in the health insurance marketplace, the Platinum tier is ideal for consumers willing to pay a higher monthly premium to minimize costs at the point of care.

In Idaho, the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is the most popular plan type, accommodating residents with a comprehensive health care network. In addition to HMO plans, Idahoans also have access to Point of Service (POS) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan types.

For consumers seeking the most affordable HMO plan in Idaho, the Silver 12 250 with First 4 Primary Care Visits Free plan from Molina Healthcare of Idaho is your best bet at a monthly cost of $438.

The cheapest Idaho health plans by plan type include the following:

• HMO: Silver 12 250 with First 4 Primary Care Visits Free from Molina Healthcare of Idaho ($438 per month)
• POS: IAFN Silver 6500 POS from Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Inc. ($410 per month)
• PPO: Select Health SAHA Silver 3000 from SelectHealth, Inc. ($431 per month)

POS plans offer a balance between choosing providers inside or outside a network, while PPO plans provide flexibility by allowing visits to any health provider without requiring a referral.

Health insurance rates and availability of certain plans vary by county in Idaho. Residents will find differing options and premiums depending on their location within the state.

Comparing the most affordable plans in the largest and smallest counties by population shows this variation in monthly rates:

• Ada: Navigator Silver HSA 3500 from PacificSource Health Plans ($451 per month)
• Clark: Silver 12 250 with First 4 Primary Care Visits from Molina Healthcare of Idaho ($407 per month)

The following table shows the most affordable Silver plans in each county in Idaho.

In Idaho, age matters a lot when it comes to health insurance costs. For a Silver plan, an 18-year-old pays around $331 each month. But a 60-year-old with the same plan pays $985, which is $654 more. That's a big jump in price just because of age.

Metal tiers also tell you about how much you will pay and how much your plan covers. A 40-year-old with a Bronze plan pays $350 every month. But if the same person picks a Gold plan, it costs $494. That's $144 more each month.

MoneyGeek broke down all the health insurance options available in Idaho. We look at private insurance plans in the marketplace, which have different levels, including Catastrophic, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. We also explain Medicaid and Medicare. Our goal is to help users understand their choices so they can pick the best health care for themselves.

The open enrollment period in Idaho typically runs from November 1 to December 15 each year, during which residents can shop for private health insurance coverage through the state's insurance marketplace, Your Health Idaho. This is the annual window to select a new plan or make changes to an existing one. If you miss the December 15 deadline, you may still qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to certain life events, such as marriage, having a baby or losing other health coverage. Otherwise, without a qualifying event, you'll have to wait until the next open enrollment to sign up or adjust your plan.

Medicaid is a public health care program in the United States that provides medical services to individuals and families with low income. In Idaho, as in other states, Medicaid eligibility depends on several factors, including income, household size, pregnancy, disability or age. The state follows guidelines set by the federal government but also has the flexibility to determine specific eligibility criteria within federal parameters. Individuals must be residents of Idaho, U.S. nationals, citizens, permanent residents or legal aliens to qualify.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for individuals aged 65 and over, as well as for younger people with certain disabilities or diseases, such as End-Stage Renal Disease. Medicare comprises several parts: Part A covers hospital insurance, including inpatient care and hospice services; Part B provides medical insurance for outpatient care, medical supplies and preventive services; Part C, or Medicare Advantage, is an alternative to Original Medicare that offers additional benefits through private insurance companies; and Part D covers prescription drug plans.

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

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