Updated: May 22, 2024
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Health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs differ by metal tier selection. In Maine, Taro Health offers the most affordable Bronze, Silver and Gold plans, while Community Health Options provides the cheapest Platinum option.
If you are looking to balance monthly premiums with quality claims and coverage, MoneyGeek also analyzed the best health insurance in Maine.
CheapestHealth InsuranceMaineMost Affordable Health Insurance in Maine
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We downloaded plan data for Maine directly from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Plan data was updated with the CMS exchange data released in October, the latest available data for the 2024 enrollment period.
Health insurance costs vary significantly across metal tiers, with varying trade-offs relationship between higher premiums and lower deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.
The most cost-effective plan within the Silver tier in Maine is the TARO Clear Choice Silver 4200, offered by Taro Health at a monthly cost of $507. For those willing to accept higher out-of-pocket expenses in exchange for lower monthly rates, Bronze plans might be a suitable alternative.
Here are the most affordable health insurance plans from each metal tier:
If you're looking for affordable options, explore more cheap health insurance plans that cater to various needs and preferences.
| Bronze | PlanTARO Direct Primary Care Bronze ($0 PCP, Mental Health + $15 Labs) | CompanyTaro Health | Monthly Cost$426 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 |
| Silver | PlanTARO Clear Choice Silver 4200 (No Direct Primary Care, for DPC select DPC Silver) | CompanyTaro Health | Monthly Cost$507 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,100 |
| Gold | PlanTARO Direct Primary Care Gold ($0 PCP, Mental Health, Labs, Generics, $0 Deduct) | CompanyTaro Health | Monthly Cost$547 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 |
| Platinum | PlanHealth Options Clear Choice Platinum PPO NE | CompanyCommunity Health Options | Monthly Cost$807 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$3,000 |
In the Maine health insurance marketplace, consumers can choose from different metal tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. These tiers help signify the balance between monthly premiums and the out-of-pocket expenses a consumer will face when accessing health care services.
Generally, Bronze plans have the lowest monthly premiums but the highest out-of-pocket costs. On the other hand, Platinum plans offer the most comprehensive coverage with higher premiums but significantly lower out-of-pocket expenses. Gold and Silver plans provide a middle ground with moderate premiums and costs when utilizing services.
People with incomes below 250% of the Federal Poverty Line may qualify for cost-sharing reductions on Silver plans. These reductions lower the amount someone has to pay out of pocket for deductibles, copayments and co-insurance, making health care more accessible and affordable.
The TARO Clear Choice Silver 4200 from Taro Health is the most affordable Silver plan in Maine, with a monthly cost of $507.
The three most affordable Silver health plans available in Maine are:
Silver plans cater to individuals looking for a balance between affordable monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs when accessing health care services. Customers who qualify for cost-sharing reductions can benefit from reduced costs on deductibles, copayments and co-insurance, making Silver plans particularly attractive for those with moderate income.
| Taro Health | Monthly Cost$507 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,100 | PlanTARO Clear Choice Silver 4200 (No Direct Primary Care, for DPC select DPC Silver) |
| Taro Health | Monthly Cost$509 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,000 | PlanTARO Direct Primary Care Silver ($0 PCP, Mental Health, Labs, Generics) |
| Harvard Pilgrim Health Care | Monthly Cost$525 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,500 | PlanClear Choice Maine's Choice Plus HMO Silver 5500 |
| Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | Monthly Cost$530 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,500 | PlanAnthem Clear Choice Silver X Tiered 5500 |
| Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | Monthly Cost$531 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,500 | PlanAnthem Silver X Tiered 6000 |
The most affordable Gold tier health plan in Maine is the TARO Direct Primary Care Gold ($0 PCP, Mental Health) offered by Taro Health, with a monthly cost of $547.
The three most affordable Gold plans in Maine include:
Gold plans are ideal for customers who expect to need frequent medical care. These plans come with higher monthly premiums but offer lower out-of-pocket expenses.
| Taro Health | Monthly Cost$547 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 | PlanTARO Direct Primary Care Gold ($0 PCP, Mental Health, Labs, Generics, $0 Deduct) |
| Harvard Pilgrim Health Care | Monthly Cost$588 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$5,000 | PlanClear Choice Maine's Choice Plus HMO Gold 2500 |
| Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | Monthly Cost$609 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$5,000 | PlanAnthem Clear Choice Gold X Tiered 2500 |
| Taro Health | Monthly Cost$618 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$5,000 | PlanTARO Clear Choice Gold 2500 (No Direct Primary Care, for DPC select DPC Gold) |
| Community Health Options | Monthly Cost$650 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$5,000 | PlanHealth Options Clear Choice Gold $2500 PPO NE |
The most affordable Bronze plan in Maine is the TARO Direct Primary Care Bronze ($0 PCP, Mental Health, Generic Rx) from Taro Health, available at a monthly cost of $426.
Here are the three most affordable Bronze health plans in Maine:
Bronze plans are typically good for customers who want lower monthly premiums and can handle higher out-of-pocket costs when accessing care. These plans are suitable for individuals who are generally healthy and do not expect to require frequent medical care.
| Taro Health | Monthly Cost$426 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 | PlanTARO Direct Primary Care Bronze ($0 PCP, Mental Health + $15 Labs) |
| Taro Health | Monthly Cost$429 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$7,200 | PlanTARO Clear Choice Bronze 7200 HSA (No Direct Primary Care, Only Traditional PCP) |
| Taro Health | Monthly Cost$443 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 | PlanTARO Clear Choice Bronze 9450 (No Direct Primary Care, for DPC select DPC Bronze) |
| Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | Monthly Cost$446 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 | PlanAnthem Bronze X Tiered 8000 |
| Harvard Pilgrim Health Care | Monthly Cost$449 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$7,500 | PlanClear Choice Maine's Choice Plus HMO HSA Bronze 6300 |
The most cost-effective Catastrophic health plan in Maine is the Anthem Catastrophic X 9450 from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, available at a monthly cost of $245 for 26-year-olds.
The three most affordable Catastrophic plans in Maine are:
Catastrophic plans are available to adults under 30 or those with a hardship exemption. These plans have low monthly premiums but high out-of-pocket expenses, making them ideal for those who want to minimize monthly expenses while still having a safety net for medical emergencies. They are not recommended for those who require frequent medical visits or prescriptions.
| Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | Monthly Cost$245 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 | PlanAnthem Catastrophic X 9450 |
| Community Health Options | Monthly Cost$245 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 | PlanHealth Options Clear Choice Catastrophic HMO NE |
| Harvard Pilgrim Health Care | Monthly Cost$267 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 | PlanClear Choice HMO Catastrophic 9450 |
There is only one Platinum plan available in Maine: the Health Options Clear Choice Platinum PPO NE from Community Health Options, with a monthly cost of $807.
Platinum plans are designed for individuals who expect to need a significant amount of medical care and prefer to have higher monthly premiums in exchange for fewer out-of-pocket costs when they receive medical services.
| Community Health Options | Monthly Cost806.7275 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket3000.0000000000000000 | PlanHealth Options Clear Choice Platinum PPO NE |
Cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) help lower expenses for Silver health insurance plans by reducing out-of-pocket costs like copayments and deductibles. To qualify, individuals must earn between 100% to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. With CSRs, maximum out-of-pocket costs can vary significantly; someone eligible for a high CSR level might see their out-of-pocket maximum drop from $7,900 to $2,500, deeply cutting potential health care expenses.
In Maine, the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is the most popular plan type. Other available plan types include Preferred Provider Organization (PPO).
The most affordable HMO plan in Maine is the TARO Clear Choice Silver 4200 from Taro Health, costing $507 per month.
| Taro Health | Monthly Cost$507 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,100 | PlanTARO Clear Choice Silver 4200 (No Direct Primary Care, for DPC select DPC Silver) |
| Taro Health | Monthly Cost$509 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,000 | PlanTARO Direct Primary Care Silver ($0 PCP, Mental Health, Labs, Generics) |
| Harvard Pilgrim Health Care | Monthly Cost$525 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,500 | PlanClear Choice Maine's Choice Plus HMO Silver 5500 |
| Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | Monthly Cost$530 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,500 | PlanAnthem Clear Choice Silver X Tiered 5500 |
| Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | Monthly Cost$531 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,500 | PlanAnthem Silver X Tiered 6000 |
In Maine, the most common health insurance plan type is HMO, but PPO is also available.
HMO plans typically offer lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs. They emphasize preventive care and have a simple structure, requiring members to select a primary care physician and get referrals for specialist care. The main limitation of HMO plans is the restriction to a network of doctors and hospitals. Going outside of this network for care typically results in higher costs or no coverage at all, except in emergencies.
PPO plans provide more flexibility to see specialists and health care providers without a referral. Members can see any doctor or specialist within the PPO network without selecting a primary care physician, and out-of-network care is partially covered. PPOs usually come with higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs than HMOs. The freedom of choice and the broader network come at the cost of higher monthly payments and often a higher deductible.
In Maine, health insurance rates and availability of certain plans varies by county. Comparing the most affordable plans in the largest and smallest counties by population shows this variation:
The following table shows all available plans in each county in Maine.
| Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | Monthly Cost$480 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,500 | PlanAnthem Clear Choice Silver X Tiered 5500 |
| Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | Monthly Cost$481 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,500 | PlanAnthem Silver X Tiered 6000 |
In Maine, age impacts how much you pay for health insurance. An 18-year-old with a Silver plan pays about $414 a month, but a 60-year-old pays a lot more for the same Silver plan — around $1,229 every month. That's a difference of $815.
Metal tiers also make a difference in how much insurance costs. A Bronze plan is around $478 monthly for a 40-year-old, but a Gold plan can cost about $654 per month — $176 more each month than Bronze. Better plans with more coverage tend to cost more money.
MoneyGeek analyzed all the health insurance options available in Maine, including private insurance plans in the marketplace, which come in different metal tiers like Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Other options include Medicaid and Medicare, depending on your eligibility.
In Maine, the open enrollment period typically runs from November 1 through January 16 each year. This period allows residents to shop for private health insurance coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace, compare plans and enroll in a policy that meets their needs. If you miss the deadline, you'll generally have to wait until the next open enrollment period to sign up for private coverage unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). SEPs are available for individuals who experience certain life events, such as marriage, childbirth or loss of other health coverage.
Medicaid is a health care program providing medical benefits to low-income individuals and families. In Maine, eligibility depends on various factors, including income, family size and specific situations such as pregnancy or disability. To qualify, applicants must meet the income requirements — a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level — and be residents of Maine. Each state, including Maine, operates its own Medicaid program within federal guidelines, allowing for some variability in coverage and eligibility criteria.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for people aged 65 or older, though it also serves younger individuals with disabilities or certain diseases. In Maine, eligibility is based on age, disability or whether you have end-stage renal disease or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The program is comprised of several parts:
For those seeking more comprehensive coverage, MoneyGeek found the best Medicare Advantage Plans in Maine as well as the best Medicare Supplement plans in Maine.
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 Maine to help you learn more.
The cheapest silver plan in Maine is the TARO Clear Choice Silver 4200 by Taro Health with a monthly cost of $507. The cheapest gold plan in Maine is TARO Direct Primary Care Gold ($0 PCP, Mental Health) also provided by Taro Health, costing $547 monthly
Although you'll pay a lower monthly premium for a cheap health insurance plan, you may pay higher out-of-pocket costs when accessing health care services. More expensive plans cover more comprehensive services and considerably lower your out-of-pocket maximums.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick has analyzed the property and casualty insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. Currently, he leads P&C insurance content production at MoneyGeek. Fitzpatrick has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
