Kaiser Permanente offers the cheapest health insurance plans in Maryland, with an average monthly premium of $279. Availability varies, so check out Aetna Health, UnitedHealthcare and CareFirst BlueChoice for other affordable health plans.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Maryland: Affordable Plans for 2025
Updated: December 1, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Kaiser Permanente offers Maryland's most affordable health insurance, saving policyholders an average of $219 per month compared to the state average.
Kaiser Permanente offers top-rated full coverage Platinum plans, with affordable pricing starting at $470 monthly.
To find the cheapest health insurance, start by choosing a coverage level you can afford, check if you qualify for subsidies and compare plans from several companies.
Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in Maryland
| Kaiser Permanente | $279 | $219 |
| Aetna Health | $283 | $215 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $362 | $135 |
| CareFirst BlueChoice | $440 | $58 |
*These plans reflect rates for 40-year-olds who are not considered low-income.
Cheapest Maryland Health Insurance Plans by Profile
While we've summarized the cheapest companies for most in Maryland, the most affordable plan for you will differ widely depending on your desired coverage tier and age. Below are the cheapest companies by category for most in the area:
- Cheapest For Young Adults: UnitedHealthcare ($290 monthly)
- Cheapest For Seniors: UnitedHealthcare ($769 monthly)
- Cheapest Bronze Plan: UnitedHealthcare ($265 monthly)
- Cheapest Silver Plan: UnitedHealthcare ($362 monthly)
- Cheapest Gold Plan: UnitedHealthcare ($355 monthly)
- Cheapest Full Coverage (Platinum Plan): Kaiser Permanente ($470 monthly)
While these are a good measure of the most affordable plans, they only represent the cheapest for 40-year-olds (26-year-olds for young adults and 60 for seniors), and your cheapest company and plan may differ for your profile. So below, we've created a filterable table that you can modify by plan tier and age to find your lowest rate match.
Data filtered by:
Silver
40
| UnitedHealthcare | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Indiv Med Ded | $362 | $50 | $9,200 |
Cheapest Health Insurance Plans by County in Maryland
While Kaiser Permanente ranks as the cheapest provider overall, UnitedHealthcare dominates in affordability and availability for Silver plans in every county. Below, you can review which company and plan are most affordable in your area.
| Allegany County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Anne Arundel County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Baltimore City | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Baltimore County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Calvert County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Caroline County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Carroll County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Cecil County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Charles County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Dorchester County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Frederick County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Garrett County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Harford County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Howard County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Kent County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Montgomery County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Prince George's | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Queen Anne's County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Somerset County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| St. Mary's County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Talbot County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Washington County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Wicomico County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
| Worcester County | UnitedHealthcare | $342 | UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) |
How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in Maryland
Find affordable health insurance in Maryland:
- 1Determine coverage plan needs and affordability
Your coverage plan type and tier depend on your health situation and income. Figure out how much you can afford for monthly premiums based on your current health, risk for injury or illness, location, age and lifestyle.
- 2Find out your subsidy eligibility
If you earn between $14,580 and $54,000, you may qualify for premium tax credits that reduce costs by 40% to 100%. Those earning below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level ($36,450) can get cost-sharing reductions that lower out-of-pocket expenses up to 73%.
- 3Consider federal programs for eligible age groups
If you're of suitable age, explore Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans. These plans may offer more affordable and flexible alternatives to traditional plans.
- 4Review prescription formularies
Check how insurers cover medications you take regularly. Plans that place your medications on lower tiers with smaller copays can save you hundreds of dollars each year while ensuring you can afford the prescriptions you need.
- 5Compare plans during Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15. You can also enroll during Special Enrollment periods if you experience certain life changes like job loss or changes in family size. Compare plan types, costs, customer reviews and network availability to find the most affordable coverage that fits your needs.
MONEYGEEK TIP: MAKE SURE TO APPLY PROMPTLY
Avoid technical issues by applying at least five days before the enrollment deadline. Have your income verification, Social Security numbers and immigration documents ready to make the process smoother.
Most Affordable Health Insurance in Maryland: Bottom Line
Kaiser Permanente, Aetna Health, UnitedHealthcare and CareFirst BlueChoice are Maryland's most affordable health insurance companies. While we recommend these affordable options, you should compare as many plan types and tier quotes as possible from multiple companies to get the best deal.
Cheap Maryland Health Insurance: FAQ
Below are frequently asked questions about finding affordable health insurance in Maryland:
What is the cheapest health insurance in Maryland?
Kaiser Permanente offers the cheapest health insurance in Maryland, with Silver plans starting at $279 monthly for 40-year-olds. Your ideal option varies so consider exploring CareFirst BlueChoice, UnitedHealthcare and Aetna Health based on your income and coverage preferences.
What are the downsides of a cheap health insurance plan?
Compared to higher-priced plans, cheap health insurance has higher out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles and copays. More expensive plans reduce out-of-pocket expenses and offer more extensive health care coverage.
How We Decided the Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in Maryland
MoneyGeek obtained data directly from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on available health insurance plans in Maryland based on consumers aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60.
We considered the cheapest overall to be those with the lowest monthly premium costs for 40-year-olds, as most in the state are near this age demographic, and for simplicity. However, cheaper plans tend to have higher out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles, meaning you may pay more if you receive care.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like 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.