Cheapest Health Insurance in Idaho (2026)

Key Takeaways

The most affordable health insurance options in Idaho are Select Health at $535 monthly, followed by Blue Cross Blue Shield at $549 and St. Luke's Health Plan at $553.

Our analysis shows Select Health is top in Idaho's health insurance market across PPO plans, while Regence is top for teens, young adults and seniors.

Idaho runs its own health insurance marketplace, Your Health Idaho, rather than the federal HealthCare.gov platform. Carrier participation is decided at the state level and Idaho's market has eight providers. The practical implication: plan type and metal tier selection matter more here than carrier selection alone.

When we built this comparison, the tier structure shaped the finding more than the winner did. Select Health at $535, Blue Cross Blue Shield at $549 and St. Luke's Health Plan at $553 sit within $18 of each other. The remaining five providers are $86 to $101 per month above Select Health. For most Idaho enrollees, the real decision is among those top three and Select Health's lower premium comes with an average deductible of $4,954 and a maximum out-of-pocket of $9,781. Enrollees who use care regularly should weigh total annual cost, not just the monthly rate.

Before comparing providers, identify which number matters most for your situation. If you rarely use care, monthly premium is the right figure to minimize, the tables below show Idaho's cheapest options by provider, category and metal tier. If you expect regular visits or prescriptions, your total annual cost, premium plus deductible, determines what you actually pay.

Cheapest Health Insurance Providers in Idaho

Idaho residents save $63 monthly by choosing Select Health, which offers the most affordable health insurance at $535 per month compared to the state average. Blue Cross Blue Shield ranks second at $549 monthly, while St. Luke's Health Plan comes third at $553. But Select Health's lower premiums come with higher deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs. For comprehensive comparisons, compare cheapest health insurance options nationwide.


Select Health	$535	$63	$6,420	$756
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$549	$49	$6,588	$588
St. Luke's Health Plan	$553	$45	$6,636	$540
Molina Healthcare	$621	$23	$7,452	$276
Regence	$623	$25	$7,476	$300
Moda Health	$629	$31	$7,548	$372
Mountain Health Co-op	$634	$36	$7,608	$432
PacificSource	$636	$38	$7,632	$456

*Average monthly costs represent the mean of all plan rates for each provider, rounded to the nearest dollar. Monthly savings show the cost difference between each provider's average rate and the statewide benchmark.

The most striking pattern in our analysis is the tier break that opens between St. Luke's Health Plan and Molina Healthcare. The top three providers are within $18 per month of each other. The remaining five providers are $86 to $101 above Select Health. Enrollees who can use any of the top three providers based on network fit will pay materially less than enrollees limited to the lower tier.

SelectHealth

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$535
Average MOOP
$9,781
Average Deductible
$4,954

pros
- Ranks first in Idaho for overall affordability and value
- Wide network of local providers throughout Idaho
- Strong emphasis on preventive care services at no cost
cons
- Limited coverage options when traveling out of state
- Authorization required for certain specialist visits
Select Health's $535 monthly average is the lowest among Idaho providers in our analysis. Its average deductible of $4,954 and maximum out-of-pocket of $9,781 are above mid-range for Idaho plans, so it works best for enrollees who stay healthy most years and want to minimize fixed monthly costs.

Select Health's premiums run from $199 for Catastrophic coverage for 18-year-olds to $1,397 for Platinum plans for those aged 60. For enrollees who want the lowest monthly floor, Regence's Bronze plan at $380 undercuts Select Health's $535 average by $155.

Enrollees who expect regular care are better served by Select Health's Gold plan at $532 per month with a $1,000 deductible, the best deductible-to-premium balance in our data.
Select Health's rate advantage narrows sharply for enrollees focused on monthly cost alone. Regence's Bronze plan at $380 costs $155 less per month, saving $1,860 per year. St. Luke's Expanded Bronze at $349 widens that gap to $186 per month and $2,232 annually. Both carriers undercut Select Health's $535 average at the lowest-tier level, where Select Health doesn't compete as aggressively.

Age also changes the answer. Regence wins both the teen and senior categories in our analysis, with rates at $358 per month for 18-year-olds and $1,064 for 60-year-olds. Select Health's pricing advantage is concentrated in the adult segment, not at the age extremes.

High out-of-pocket exposure is Select Health's most consequential trade-off. Its average maximum out-of-pocket of $9,781 means a heavy-use year costs far more than the monthly rate suggests. Mountain Health Co-op's Platinum plan caps that exposure at $1,500, an $8,281 lower ceiling, for $123 more per month. For enrollees who expect hospitalizations or high prescription costs, that difference changes the math.

Most Affordable Idaho Health Insurance by Category

When searching for the best health insurance provider, personal rates depend on factors such as age, plan type and metal tier selection. Monthly premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket limits all affect your total annual cost.

Select Health provides the most affordable rates across most demographics in Idaho. These lower premiums come with higher deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs.


Teens	Regence	$358	$4,297	$10,150	$6,100
Young Adults	Regence	$402	$4,819	$10,150	$6,100
With Health Savings Account Eligibility	Regence	$481	$5,774	$10,150	$6,500
Adults	Regence	$503	$6,041	$10,150	$6,056
POS	Regence	$503	$6,041	$10,150	$6,056
HMO	Molina Healthcare	$520	$6,241	$9,280	$6,250
PPO	Select Health	$552	$6,630	$9,900	$3,000
Seniors	Regence	$1,064	$12,772	$10,150	$6,100

* These are average rates for all plan types and metal levels, with teens at 18 years old, young adults at 26 years old, adults at 40 years old and seniors at 60 years old. For plan type costs, we used average rates for 40-year-olds.

Regence wins six of eight categories in our analysis, including teens, young adults, adults, seniors, POS plans and HSA-eligible plans. Its deductibles range from $6,056 to $6,500 across those categories depending on age and plan type. Select Health wins on PPO plans at $552 monthly with a $3,000 deductible, which is $3,056 lower than Regence's adult deductible of $6,056. PPO enrollees who want network flexibility and a manageable deductible will find Select Health's structure more favorable than Regence's.

Most Affordable Idaho Health Insurance by Metal Level

For 40-year-olds in Idaho, St. Luke's Health Plan offers the lowest-cost Expanded Bronze coverage at $349 monthly, while Regence has the cheapest Bronze at $380 per month and Silver at $481 monthly. Select Health provides Gold plans at $532 per month with a $1,000 deductible.


Expanded Bronze	St. Luke's Health Plan	$349	$4,187	$10,150	$7,750
Bronze	Regence	$380	$4,558	$9,833	$8,000
Silver	Regence	$481	$5,774	$10,150	$6,500
Gold	Select Health	$532	$6,389	$9,900	$1,000
Platinum	Mountain Health Co-op	$658	$7,893	$1,500	$500

Our comprehensive Idaho data allows you to narrow choices by your specific situation and budget.

One finding in our metal level data runs against what most enrollees expect. Mountain Health Co-op's Platinum plan at $658 monthly carries the lowest deductible ($500) and lowest maximum out-of-pocket ($1,500) in the entire table, but St. Luke's Expanded Bronze at $349 monthly saves $309 per month compared to Platinum. At that savings rate, it takes more than two years of premium savings to cover the Expanded Bronze plan's $7,750 deductible in a high-cost year. For enrollees who expect multiple hospitalizations or high prescription costs, the $1,500 Platinum ceiling is the figure that matters most.

The personalized picks section below lets you filter by plan type, metal level and age to see the specific plans behind these averages.

Cheap Idaho Health Insurance: Personalized Picks

We compiled Idaho health insurance information so you can identify plans that fit your financial situation and healthcare requirements.

Data filtered by:


Molina Healthcare	Molina Silver Saver 70 with Four Free PCP Visits	$509	HMO	Silver	$10,150	$7,000	40	No
Molina Healthcare	Molina Silver Core 70	$513	HMO	Silver	$8,990	$6,000	40	No
Molina Healthcare	Molina Silver Core 70 Plus with Adult Vision	$518	HMO	Silver	$8,990	$6,000	40	No
Molina Healthcare	Molina Silver Core 70 Plus with Adult Dental and Vision	$541	HMO	Silver	$8,990	$6,000	40	No

How to Get Cheap Health Insurance in Idaho

The following tips will help you find low-cost coverage that fits your budget.

1
Look Beyond the Cheapest Plans
In Idaho's market, a Bronze plan for a 40-year-old averages $380 monthly with an $8,000 deductible. A Gold plan averages $532 monthly with a $1,000 deductible. The extra $152 per month buys a $7,000 reduction in deductible exposure. At that rate, the Gold plan's higher premium takes more than three and a half years of premium payments to offset the deductible difference if you never file a claim. But if you need care in year one, Gold's $1,000 deductible saves you up to $7,000.
2
Assess Your Medical Spending
Review your explanation of benefits from last year before choosing a plan. In Idaho, the monthly gap between Expanded Bronze ($349) and Gold ($532) is $183. If your annual care costs stay well below $1,000, a Bronze or Expanded Bronze plan's lower premium often comes out ahead. Above $1,000 in care costs, the lower deductible on a Gold plan ($1,000 vs. $8,000 for Bronze) often saves you more than you'd pay in extra premiums over the year.
3
Consider HMO Plans
Molina Healthcare's HMO plans average $520 monthly in Idaho, $32 less per month than Select Health's PPO average of $552. Over a year, that's $384 in premium savings. The trade-off is network restriction: HMO plans in Idaho require a primary care referral for specialist visits and don't cover out-of-network care except in emergencies. If your preferred doctors are already in Molina's network, the savings are real.
4
Verify Subsidy Eligibility
Premium tax credits through Your Health Idaho reduce monthly costs based on household income. A single adult earning up to roughly $36,000 per year may qualify for credits that reduce premiums below the rates shown in this analysis. You must buy through Your Health Idaho's marketplace to qualify, off-marketplace plans from the same insurer don't qualify. Check your income against current federal poverty level thresholds at YourHealthIdaho.org before choosing a plan, because a subsidy can change which metal tier makes financial sense. Learn more about how to get health insurance through the marketplace.
5
Time Your Purchase Right
Idaho's open enrollment through Your Health Idaho runs November 1 through January 15 for most plan years. Missing that window means waiting until the following year unless you have a qualifying life event. Job loss, marriage, birth of a child and loss of other coverage all trigger a 60-day special enrollment period. Outside open enrollment with no qualifying event, short-term plans are the only option and they don't qualify for premium tax credits.
6
Review Provider Networks
Select Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield and St. Luke's Health Plan each run distinct provider networks across Idaho. Seeing an out-of-network provider on an HMO plan often means paying the full billed rate, not a higher copay. Before enrolling, use each insurer's online directory to confirm your primary care doctor and any specialists you see regularly are in-network. Network mismatches are among the most common sources of unexpected out-of-pocket costs on Idaho health plans.

Cheapest Health Insurance in Idaho: Bottom Line

Select Health leads Idaho's market at $535 per month and is the right starting point for most enrollees. But the right plan depends on how much care you use.

If you're healthy and want the lowest monthly cost, St. Luke's Expanded Bronze plan at $349 per month is Idaho's cheapest option for a 40-year-old. The trade-off is an $7,750 deductible, this plan works well only if you rarely file claims.

If you expect regular care, Select Health's Gold plan at $532 per month gives you a $1,000 deductible, the most manageable deductible-to-premium balance in our data. For high-utilization enrollees who expect multiple hospitalizations or high prescription costs, Mountain Health Co-op's Platinum plan caps your total annual exposure at $1,500.

Seniors get the lowest rates through Regence at $1,064 per month. Enrollees who want PPO flexibility will find Select Health's PPO plans at $552 monthly with a $3,000 deductible the only competitive PPO option in Idaho's market.

Affordable Health Insurance in Idaho: FAQ

Find answers to the most common health insurance questions for Idaho residents:

How do I get cheap health insurance in Idaho?

During open enrollment, compare plans across metal tiers from providers like Select Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield and St. Luke's Health Plan. Check eligibility for premium tax credits through Your Health Idaho. HMO plans run $32 less per month than PPO plans in our data, if your preferred doctors are in network, that's $384 in annual savings.

How much does health insurance cost in Idaho?

For a 40-year-old, monthly premiums run from $349 for an Expanded Bronze plan to $658 for Platinum coverage. Select Health's average across all plans is $535 per month. The right cost comparison isn't just the monthly rate, it includes your deductible, which ranges from $500 on a Platinum plan to $8,000 on a Bronze plan.

What is the difference between an HMO and a PPO plan in Idaho?

HMO plans require you to use a network of providers and get referrals for specialist visits. PPO plans let you see any doctor without a referral, including out-of-network providers at a higher cost. In Idaho's market, HMO plans average $520 monthly through Molina Healthcare, while Select Health's PPO plans average $552, a $32 monthly difference. If out-of-network flexibility matters to you, the PPO premium gap is worth paying. If your doctors are in-network, the HMO savings add up to $384 per year.

Which metal tier is right for me?

Bronze and Expanded Bronze plans have the lowest monthly premiums ($349 to $380 for a 40-year-old) but the highest deductibles ($7,750 to $8,000). Gold plans average $532 monthly with a $1,000 deductible. Platinum plans cost $658 monthly but cap your total annual exposure at $1,500. If you rarely use care, Bronze keeps your monthly cost low. If you expect multiple hospitalizations or high prescription costs, Platinum's $1,500 ceiling pays for itself.

Does Idaho require health insurance?

Idaho does not require residents to have health insurance and the federal individual mandate penalty was eliminated in 2019. Going without coverage means you'll pay all medical costs out-of-pocket and can only enroll during open enrollment or qualifying life events.

When is open enrollment for health insurance in Idaho?

Idaho's open enrollment through Your Health Idaho runs November 1 through January 15 for most plan years. Outside that window, you can only enroll if you have a qualifying life event, job loss, marriage, birth of a child or loss of other coverage, which triggers a 60-day special enrollment period.

Our Methodology

We gathered plan information from Your Health Idaho for consumers aged 18 to 60, specifically examining costs for 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60-year-olds. The cheapest overall rankings focus on 40-year-olds' monthly premiums, as this age group is the most common demographically and provides a clear comparison. Age-specific rankings use their respective premium costs. Cheaper monthly premiums mean higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums when you need care. Data was collected in May 2026.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he has produced original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek so people can make coverage decisions with confidence. His insurance insights have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other media outlets.

Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.

Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.) and began his career in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

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Sources

HealthCare.gov. "Health Insurance Marketplace." Accessed May 18, 2026.
Your Health Idaho. "SPECIAL ENROLLMENT." Accessed May 18, 2026.