Ambetter offers New York's cheapest health insurance rates at $718 monthly, $510 less than the state average. Plans are available in all New York counties. HealthFirst, Univera Healthcare, MVP and MetroPlusHealth also charge below-average premiums across the state.
Cheapest Health Insurance in New York: Affordable Plans for 2026
Updated: December 30, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Ambetter is the most affordable New York health insurance company with $718 monthly premiums, saving you $510 compared to the state average.
Ambetter leads across all household types (individuals, couples, families) and plan categories, with Silver-tier INN plans starting at $718 monthly.
Compare plan networks and prescription coverage during Open Enrollment (November 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026) to find cheap health insurance that covers your doctors.
Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in New York
Ambetter | $718 | $510 | $8,616 | $6,120 |
HealthFirst | $972 | $256 | $11,664 | $3,072 |
Univera Healthcare | $1,049 | $179 | $12,588 | $2,148 |
MVP | $1,088 | $140 | $13,056 | $1,680 |
MetroPlusHealth | $1,169 | $59 | $14,028 | $708 |
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield | $1,189 | $39 | $14,268 | $468 |
Independent Health | $1,199 | $29 | $14,388 | $348 |
We calculate average monthly rates by taking the rounded average of each provider's monthly plan rates in New York. Monthly savings show the gap between each insurer's rate and the state average, revealing how much less you'd pay than typical premiums. Your actual rate depends on your age, county and plan choice.
Ambetter
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Monthly Cost
$718Deductible
$2,450MOOP
$10,150
Most Affordable New York Health Insurance by Category
Finding affordable health insurance in New York means looking beyond monthly premiums. Your health insurance costs in New York depend on household size and plan type. Ambetter offers the lowest Silver-tier INN rates across most household categories at $756 monthly for individuals, scaling to $2,272 for families. All Silver-tier plans share the same $10,150 MOOP and $2,450 deductible regardless of provider.
Individuals | Ambetter | $718 | $8,616 | $10,150 | $2,450 |
Couples | Ambetter | $1,513 | $18,155 | $10,150 | $2,450 |
Families | Ambetter | $2,272 | $27,267 | $10,150 | $2,450 |
Parent and Child | Ambetter | $1,286 | $15,432 | $10,150 | $2,450 |
HMO | MVP | $1,035 | $12,422 | $10,150 | $2,450 |
EPO | Univera Healthcare | $985 | $11,818 | $10,150 | $2,450 |
INN | Ambetter | $756 | $9,078 | $10,150 | $2,450 |
Rates shown are averages for Silver-tier plans. For plan type costs, we used average rates for individuals. MOOP and deductible amounts are consistent across all providers for Silver-tier coverage in New York.
Cheapest New York Health Insurance by Metal Level
Metal tiers determine your balance between monthly premiums and costs when you need care. Bronze plans charge the lowest premiums but carry the highest deductibles, while Platinum plans cost more monthly but minimize out-of-pocket expenses. Bronze coverage works best for individuals with infrequent doctor visits, saving hundreds monthly. Gold or Platinum plans prove more budget-friendly for individuals with regular prescriptions or ongoing treatment over 12 months.
Ambetter offers the cheapest rates across all New York metal tiers, from $234 monthly for Catastrophic plans to $1,194 for Platinum coverage.
Catastrophic | Ambetter | $234 | $2,808 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
Bronze | Ambetter | $564 | $6,768 | $8,050 | $5,500 |
Silver | Ambetter | $756 | $9,078 | $10,150 | $2,450 |
Gold | Ambetter | $979 | $11,750 | $10,150 | $775 |
Platinum | Ambetter | $1,194 | $14,331 | $2,000 | $0 |
These are average rates for individuals at each metal tier. Your costs depend on age, household size and plan type. Platinum plans feature $0 deductibles, so coverage kicks in immediately.
Find Affordable New York Health Insurance
Your New York health insurance rate depends on household size, metal tier and plan type. Use the table below to filter options by your specific situation and find coverage that fits your budget.
Data filtered by:
INN
Bronze
Individual
No
| Ambetter | Ambetter from Fidelis Care Bronze, Bronze, ST, INN, Fidelis Care HBX Network, Dep25, Free Telemedicine Program, Pediatric Dental | $569 | INN | Bronze | $10,150 | $4,125 |
| Ambetter | Ambetter from Fidelis Care Bronze, Bronze, ST, INN, Fidelis Care HBX Network, Dep29, Free Telemedicine Program, Pediatric Dental | $597 | INN | Bronze | $10,150 | $4,125 |
| Health First | Healthfirst Bronze Leaf, Bronze, ST, INN, Dep25, Pediatric Dental, Fitness & Wellness Rewards, PCP 3 | $733 | INN | Bronze | $10,150 | $4,125 |
| Health First | Healthfirst Bronze Leaf, Bronze, ST, INN, Dep29, Pediatric Dental, Fitness & Wellness Rewards, PCP 3 | $740 | INN | Bronze | $10,150 | $4,125 |
| MetroPlus Health Plan | BronzePlus-B1, ST, INN, Pediatric Dental, Dep25, Metro-MP | $785 | INN | Bronze | $10,150 | $4,125 |
| Independent Health | Standard, Bronze, ST, INN, IHC Network Marketplace, Dep25 | $786 | INN | Bronze | $10,150 | $4,125 |
| Independent Health | Standard, Bronze, ST, INN, IHC Network Marketplace, Dep29 | $793 | INN | Bronze | $10,150 | $4,125 |
| Anthem | Anthem Gatekeeper X, Bronze, ST, INN, Individual Network, Dep 25, Pediatric Dental | $808 | INN | Bronze | $10,150 | $4,125 |
| MetroPlus Health Plan | BronzePlus-B1, ST, INN, Pediatric Dental, Dep29, Metro-MP | $809 | INN | Bronze | $10,150 | $4,125 |
| Anthem | Anthem Gatekeeper X, Bronze, ST, INN, Individual Network, Dep 29, Pediatric Dental | $842 | INN | Bronze | $10,150 | $4,125 |
How to Get the Cheapest Health Insurance in New York
Health insurance costs in New York can feel a lot, especially if you’re trying to keep premiums as low as possible. Getting the cheapest health insurance in New York starts with two things: what your budget can handle each month and which doctors, meds and hospitals you actually use.
The good news is that New York runs everything through NY State of Health, so you can see private plans and public programs in one place and stack every dollar of savings you qualify for.
- 1Decide what coverage you need and what you can spend
On NY State of Health, compare plan types and metal tiers side by side. HMOs and EPOs often keep premiums lower if you’re comfortable using in-network doctors, while PPOs cost more but may include some out-of-network coverage. Bronze plans usually trade lower premiums for higher costs when you get care, while Silver, Gold and Platinum plans raise the premium and lower what you pay at the doctor or hospital.
- 2Check if you qualify for low-cost or no-cost programs
Before you settle on a private plan, see if you or your family qualify for Medicaid, the Essential Plan, Child Health Plus or financial help on a Qualified Health Plan. New York treats these as “insurance affordability programs,” and they can drop premiums to very low amounts or even $0 for eligible households. Many Essential Plan enrollees pay no premium and have no deductible, with very low copays.
- 3Use NY State of Health tools to compare prices quickly
The Marketplace has a built-in “Compare Plans and Estimate Cost” tool. You enter your household size, income, ZIP code and basic health needs, and it shows which plans and programs you can get, plus estimated monthly costs and savings. It’s one of the fastest ways to see if a slightly higher premium might save you money over the year in lower deductibles and copays.
- 4Weigh provider networks and prescriptions against price
A cheap premium only helps if the plan covers the doctors and medicines you rely on. In New York, many lower-cost plans use tighter networks, so check that your primary care doctor, specialists and preferred hospitals are in network. Then look at each plan’s drug list to see how your regular prescriptions are covered, since those copays can add up fast if you take daily meds.
- 5Enroll at the right time and revisit your options each year
For 2026 coverage, New York’s Open Enrollment for Qualified Health Plans runs from November 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026. Medicaid, the Essential Plan and Child Health Plus stay open year-round. Premiums and plan lineups change each year, and the state Department of Financial Services reviews and often reduces insurers’ requested rate increases, so checking again each enrollment season can uncover a cheaper option that still fits your needs.
Bottom Line
Ambetter, HealthFirst and Univera Healthcare offer New York's cheapest health insurance, with Ambetter leading at $718 monthly across most household types and metal tiers. Compare networks and prescription coverage from multiple insurers during Open Enrollment (November 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026) to find affordable coverage that meets your needs.
Most Affordable New York Health Insurance: FAQ
We've answered some common questions about buying cheap health insurance in New York:
What is the cheapest health insurance in New York?
Ambetter offers the cheapest health insurance in New York at $718 monthly on average, followed by HealthFirst at $972 and Univera Healthcare at $1,049. Your actual rate depends on your age, county and metal tier choice. Compare quotes from multiple insurers during Open Enrollment to find affordable coverage matching your needs.
What are the downsides to a cheap health insurance plan?
Health insurance plans with cheap monthly premiums tend to have high out-of-pocket maximums, meaning you will spend more for medical services in the long run. Less valuable metal tiers, like Bronze, often come with low monthly premiums and high MOOP expenses.
Can I buy my own health insurance in New York?
Yes, you can buy individual health insurance in New York through NY State of Health. Shop during Open Enrollment (November 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026) for private plans. Medicaid, Essential Plan and Child Health Plus accept applications year-round if you qualify based on income and household size.
What's the cheapest way to get health insurance?
Check if you qualify for New York's Essential Plan or Medicaid first. Many enrollees pay $0 premiums with no deductible. If you don't qualify, compare Bronze plans (starting at $564 monthly) for low premiums or Silver plans ($756 monthly) with subsidies. Use NY State of Health's comparison tool to match your budget with coverage.
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How We Ranked Cheapest Plans in New York
We gathered and analyzed health insurance plan data from the New York State of Health marketplace for residents across multiple household types: individuals, couples, families and parent-child households. Our analysis focused on Silver-tier INN plan premiums for individuals, as Silver plans represent the most popular metal tier and INN coverage balances network access with affordability. For household-specific rankings, we analyzed average rates across all applicable household configurations. Metal tier comparisons reflect individual rates across Catastrophic, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum coverage levels.
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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.