Wellcare provides the cheapest health insurance policies with an average monthly premium of $740. Availability varies by county, but Wellcare is the most affordable provider overall. Anthem also offers competitive rates.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Kentucky: Affordable Plans for 2026
Updated: January 2, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Wellcare is Kentucky's most affordable health insurance provider, with an average monthly premium of $740.
Wellcare offers the cheapest rates for teens, young adults, adults, seniors and HMO plans. Anthem has the lowest Bronze and Catastrophic plan rates.
Compare at least three insurers during Open Enrollment to find affordable coverage. Spending 30 minutes comparing plans can save you hundreds annually.
Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in Kentucky
| Wellcare Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc | $740 | $42 | $8,880 | $504 |
| Anthem | $803 | $21 | $9,636 | $252 |
* We calculate average monthly rates by taking the rounded average of each provider’s monthly plan rates in Kentucky. We calculate average monthly savings by subtracting the statewide average monthly rate from each provider’s average to show how much cheaper they are than the overall state average. Your actual rates will vary based on age, location and chosen plan.
WellCare
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
5/5Affordability
2.5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Avg. Monthly Rate
$740Avg. MOOP
$8,078Avg. Deductible
$5,118
Cheapest Kentucky Health Insurance Providers By Profile
Age, plan type and metal tier affect which insurer charges the lowest premiums for your situation. Balance monthly rates against deductibles and MOOP costs when selecting coverage.
| Teens | Wellcare Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc | $451 | $5,407 | $8,059 | $6,378 |
| Young Adults | Wellcare Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc | $505 | $6,064 | $8,059 | $6,378 |
| Adults | Wellcare Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc | $617 | $7,409 | $8,059 | $6,378 |
| HMO | Wellcare Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc | $617 | $7,409 | $8,059 | $6,378 |
| With Health Savings Account Eligibility | Anthem | $714 | $8,568 | $8,200 | $3,640 |
| Seniors | Wellcare Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc | $1,291 | $15,489 | $8,059 | $6,378 |
* Rates shown are averages for silver-tier plans, using the following ages for each group: teens age 18, young adults age 26, adults age 40, seniors age 60. For plan type costs, we used average rates for 40-year-olds.
Cheapest Kentucky Health Insurance By Metal Level
Metal tiers control both your monthly premium and out-of-pocket costs when receiving care. Bronze plans charge less each month but require higher deductibles and expense limits. Platinum plans cost more monthly yet reduce what you'll pay for medical services. Pick Bronze when you rarely need doctors and want lower monthly bills, while Gold plans suit people with frequent appointments and regular prescriptions.
Anthem leads Kentucky's Bronze tier at $547 monthly, while Wellcare offers the lowest Silver and Gold rates at $617 and $687. Kentucky doesn't offer Platinum coverage.
| Catastrophic | Anthem | $520 | $6,240 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
| Expanded Bronze | Wellcare Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc | $526 | $6,307 | $8,700 | $7,850 |
| Bronze | Anthem | $547 | $6,568 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
| Silver | Wellcare Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc | $617 | $7,409 | $8,059 | $6,378 |
| Gold | Wellcare Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc | $687 | $8,242 | $7,475 | $1,125 |
* Rates shown are the provider's average at the given metal tier for 40-year-olds.
Compare Cheap Kentucky Health Insurance Plans
Review the table to find Kentucky's most affordable health insurance plans matching your requirements:
Data filtered by:
HMO
Silver
40
No
| Wellcare Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc | Clear Silver | $602 | HMO | Silver | $7,000 | $7,000 | 40 | No |
| Wellcare Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc | Focused Silver | $613 | HMO | Silver | $8,400 | $6,300 | 40 | No |
| Wellcare Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc | Clear Silver + Vision + Adult Dental | $613 | HMO | Silver | $7,000 | $7,000 | 40 | No |
| Wellcare Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc | Complete Silver | $614 | HMO | Silver | $8,125 | $6,675 | 40 | No |
| Anthem | Anthem Silver Pathway X Transition 6000 ($0 Virtual PCP + $0 Select Drugs + Incentives) | $616 | HMO | Silver | $9,900 | $6,000 | 40 | No |
| Wellcare Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc | Enhanced Asthma/COPD Care Silver with $0 Drug Options | $618 | HMO | Silver | $8,350 | $5,900 | 40 | No |
| Wellcare Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc | Focused Silver + Vision + Adult Dental | $624 | HMO | Silver | $8,400 | $6,300 | 40 | No |
| Wellcare Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc | Complete Silver + Vision + Adult Dental | $626 | HMO | Silver | $8,850 | $5,950 | 40 | No |
| Wellcare Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc | Enhanced Asthma/COPD Care Silver with $0 Drug Options + Vision + Adult Dental | $630 | HMO | Silver | $8,350 | $5,900 | 40 | No |
| Anthem | Anthem Silver Pathway X Transition 4000 Adult Dental/Vision ($0 Virtual PCP + $0 Select Rx) | $652 | HMO | Silver | $9,900 | $4,000 | 40 | No |
How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in Kentucky
Shopping for health insurance gets confusing when you're comparing dozens of plans with different premiums, deductibles and benefits. Follow these steps to locate affordable coverage meeting your medical needs without exceeding your monthly budget.
- 1Choose a plan type within your budget
Your health circumstances and income determine which type of plan and metal tier work best. Calculate your monthly premium budget, assess your current health status and evaluate your injury or illness risk based on age, location and lifestyle.
- 2Check if you qualify for subsidies
Your household income and size determine eligibility for 2026 health insurance subsidies. Subsidies apply to incomes between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Lower incomes receive larger subsidies, with credit amounts decreasing as income rises.
- 3Explore Medicare options if you qualify
Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans cost less than marketplace coverage. Compare eligibility requirements and benefits for each program.
- 4Verify prescription coverage
Check which tier your medications fall under for each insurer. Some plans place common prescriptions on lower tiers with smaller copays, potentially saving you hundreds annually.
- 5Shop during Open Enrollment period
Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15. You may qualify for Special Enrollment if you've lost your job, divorced or had a child. Compare coverage types, customer ratings, costs and whether your doctors accept the plan.
- 6Research Kentucky insurance regulations
Kentucky follows federal marketplace rules but has specific state regulations affecting coverage options. Review Kentucky's insurance department resources to understand local consumer protections, complaint processes and any state-specific benefits that might influence your plan selection and costs.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Kentucky: Bottom Line
Wellcare and Anthem provide Kentucky's lowest health insurance premiums. Request quotes from at least three providers across different metal tiers, comparing not just monthly costs but also deductibles, maximum out-of-pocket limits and network coverage to find a plan matching both your budget and your family's medical needs throughout the year.
Cheap Kentucky Health Insurance: FAQ
Below are answers to typical questions about affordable health insurance in Kentucky:
What is the cheapest health insurance in Kentucky?
WellCare offers the cheapest health insurance, with Silver plans starting at $617 monthly for 40-year-olds.
What are the downsides of a cheap health insurance plan?
Cheap plans charge higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs when you need medical care. You'll pay less monthly but more when using services. Higher-premium plans cost more upfront but reduce what you pay for doctor visits, prescriptions and procedures.
Do I qualify for subsidies on health insurance in Kentucky?
Subsidies reduce monthly premiums through HealthCare.gov, Kentucky's health insurance marketplace. Enter your household income during enrollment to check eligibility.
When can I enroll in health insurance in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, you can enroll in health insurance during Open Enrollment from November 1 to January 15 for coverage starting the following year. You might also qualify for Special Enrollment if you experience a qualifying life event like losing job-based coverage, getting married or having a baby.
How We Decided the Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in Kentucky
Kentucky offers hundreds of health insurance plans, and premiums vary by age. We analyzed rate data from Kynect, the state's health insurance marketplace, to identify which insurers offer the lowest premiums for different demographics.
Our Analysis Approach
We collected plan data for consumers aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60 to cover the full age spectrum from teens through pre-Medicare seniors. We ranked providers by their average monthly premiums for 40-year-olds as our baseline "cheapest overall" category, since this age reflects Kentucky's median health insurance consumer and provides the most relevant comparison for most shoppers.
For age-specific rankings (teens, young adults, adults, seniors), we used the corresponding ages listed above. This approach reveals which insurers offer the best rates for your specific age group, not just generic "cheapest" rankings that may not apply to you.
Important Cost Tradeoff
Bronze and Silver plans (the lowest monthly premiums) charge $6,300 to $10,600 deductibles and $8,059 to $10,600 maximum out-of-pocket costs. You'll save monthly but pay more when you need care. Compare premiums and potential out-of-pocket expenses based on your expected medical usage.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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.