Wellcare Health offers the cheapest health insurance in Massachusetts at $614 per month on average, saving residents $186 monthly compared to the statewide average. Fallon Health follows at $622 monthly ($178 in savings), and Tufts Health Plan Direct ranks third at $627 ($173 in savings).
Cheapest Health Insurance in Massachusetts: Affordable Plans for 2026
Updated: December 29, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Wellcare Health, Fallon Health and Tufts Health Plan Direct have the cheapest health insurance in Massachusetts, with average monthly rates ranging from $614 to $627.
Wellcare Health offers the most affordable health insurance in Massachusetts across most demographics and HMO plans ($614 monthly). Coverage for children averages $264 monthly, teens $264, young adults $416, adults $490 and seniors $832. UnitedHealthcare leads for EPO plans ($961).
Cheapest Health Insurance Providers in Massachusetts
| Wellcare Health | $614 | $186 | $7,368 | $2,232 |
| Fallon Health | $622 | $178 | $7,464 | $2,136 |
| Tufts Health Plan Direct | $627 | $173 | $7,524 | $2,076 |
| Health New England | $751 | $49 | $9,012 | $588 |
| Mass General Brigham Health Plan | $867 | $67 | $10,404 | $804 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $960 | $160 | $11,520 | $1,920 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $973 | $173 | $11,676 | $2,076 |
| Harvard Pilgrim Health Care | $991 | $191 | $11,892 | $2,292 |
*Average monthly costs represent the mean of all plan rates for each provider in Massachusetts, rounded to the nearest dollar. Monthly savings show the cost difference between each provider's average rate and the statewide benchmark.
WellCare
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Avg. Monthly Rate
$614Avg. MOOP
$6,820Avg. Deductible
$1,710
Most Affordable Massachusetts Health Insurance By Category
Your rate depends on your age, plan type and metal tier. Compare monthly premiums against deductibles and out-of-pocket limits to find the best health insurance provider in Massachusetts.
Wellcare Health offers the cheapest rates across most demographics in Massachusetts. You'll pay higher deductibles ($1,710 average) and out-of-pocket limits ($6,820 average) for those low premiums.
| Teens | Wellcare Health | $264 | $3,169 | $10,150 | $2,000 |
| Young Adults | Wellcare Health | $416 | $4,993 | $10,150 | $2,000 |
| Adults | Wellcare Health | $490 | $5,879 | $10,150 | $2,000 |
| HMO | Wellcare Health | $490 | $5,879 | $10,150 | $2,000 |
| Seniors | Wellcare Health | $832 | $9,981 | $10,150 | $2,000 |
| EPO | UnitedHealthcare | $961 | $11,537 | $10,150 | $2,000 |
*These are average rates for all plan types and metal levels, with teens at 18, young adults at 26, adults at 40 and seniors at 60. For plan type costs, we used average rates for 40-year-olds.
Most Affordable Massachusetts Health Insurance By Metal Level
Wellcare Health leads Bronze coverage at $402 monthly and Silver at $490 for 40-year-olds. Fallon Health offers the cheapest Gold plans at $617 monthly with a $1,500 deductible, while Wellcare Health has the lowest Platinum rates at $777.
| Bronze | Wellcare Health | $402 | $4,823 | $8,450 | $3,800 |
| Silver | Wellcare Health | $490 | $5,879 | $10,150 | $2,000 |
| Gold | Fallon Health | $617 | $7,405 | $6,500 | $1,500 |
| Platinum | Wellcare Health | $777 | $9,326 | $3,000 | $0 |
Cheap Massachusetts Health Insurance: Personalized Picks
Compare Massachusetts health insurance plans by age group, coverage type and benefit level to discover rates for your situation.
Data filtered by:
HMO
Silver
40
No
| Wellcare Health | Standard High Silver: WellSense Clarity Silver 2000 II | $490 | HMO | Silver | $10,150 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
| Fallon Health | Standard Silver: Community Care Connector High Silver II | $491 | HMO | Silver | $10,150 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
| Tufts Health Plan Direct | Standard High Silver: Tufts Health Direct Silver 2000 II | $527 | HMO | Silver | $10,150 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
| Health New England | Standard Silver: HNE Silver A II | $651 | HMO | Silver | $10,150 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
| Mass General Brigham Health Plan | Standard Silver: Select HMO 2000 25/60 II | $673 | HMO | Silver | $10,150 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
| Mass General Brigham Health Plan | Standard Silver: Complete HMO 2000 25/60 II | $795 | HMO | Silver | $10,150 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | Standard Silver: HMO Blue Basic II | $900 | HMO | Silver | $10,150 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
| Harvard Pilgrim Health Care | Standard Silver II | $905 | HMO | Silver | $10,150 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
How to Get Cheap Health Insurance in Massachusetts
Massachusetts health insurance rates differ across insurers and plan types. Use these strategies to find low-cost coverage that works for your health care needs.
- 1Compare multiple metal tiers
Don't default to the cheapest Bronze or Catastrophic plan. Silver and Gold plans provide better value when you factor in lower deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, especially if you need regular medical care.
- 2Evaluate your actual health care needs
Review last year's health care spending. If you only visited the doctor twice and didn't need prescriptions, a high-deductible plan saves money. For example, if you spent $500 last year on two routine doctor visits and one urgent care trip, a Bronze plan with a $6,000 deductible might save you $150 monthly compared to a Gold plan.
- 3Consider HMO plans
HMO plans cost less than PPO options in Massachusetts. You'll need to stay within the provider network, but Wellcare Health and other HMO providers save you $100 or more monthly.
- 4Check for subsidies
Premium tax credits from the Health Insurance Marketplace reduce your monthly costs based on your income. Even middle-income families qualify for assistance. Check your eligibility before purchasing a plan.
- 5Shop during Open Enrollment
Open enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15 each year. Missing this window means waiting until next year unless you qualify for a special enrollment period due to major life changes like marriage, birth or job loss.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Massachusetts: Bottom Line
Wellcare Health is the cheapest health insurance provider in Massachusetts, followed by Fallon Health and Tufts Health Plan Direct. Compare rates from all three insurers across metal tiers and plan types to find your lowest cost.
Affordable Health Insurance in Massachusetts: FAQ
We answer common questions about Massachusetts health insurance:
How do I get cheap health insurance in Massachusetts?
Shop during open enrollment (November 1 to January 15) and compare plans from Wellcare Health, Fallon Health and Tufts Health Plan Direct across multiple metal tiers. Check your eligibility for premium tax credits through the Health Insurance Marketplace. HMO plans cost less than PPO options in Massachusetts.
How much does health insurance cost in Massachusetts?
Health insurance in Massachusetts costs an average of $800 monthly ($9,600 annually) across all plan types and metal levels. Monthly rates range from $213 to $2,113 depending on your age, coverage tier and plan type.
Does Massachusetts require health insurance?
Massachusetts requires residents to have health insurance or face state tax penalties. While the federal individual mandate ended in 2019, Massachusetts maintains its own requirement with penalties for uninsured residents who don't qualify for exemptions. Coverage provides financial protection from high medical costs and covers preventive care and treatment.
Our Methodology
Comparing health insurance in Massachusetts means sorting through multiple providers with different rate structures across age groups and plan types. We analyzed every available plan from federal marketplace data to identify which insurers offer the lowest premiums for Massachusetts residents.
Research Approach
We collected premium data for five ages: 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. These ages show how rates change from young adult coverage through near-Medicare eligibility, revealing the full cost range Massachusetts residents face at different life stages.
Why We Focus on 40-Year-Olds
Our primary affordability rankings use 40-year-old rates because this age sits at the midpoint of the working-age population in Massachusetts. Using one consistent age removes variables and provides clear comparisons across providers without age distorting the results.
Age-Specific Rankings
We also ranked insurers separately at each age bracket. A provider that's cheapest for young adults might not be most affordable for someone near 60, so these age-specific rankings help you find the best rate for your life stage.
All data comes from federal sources and covers metal tiers and plan types available to Massachusetts residents through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
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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.