Cheapest Health Insurance in New York: Affordable Plans for 2026

Ambetter has the cheapest health insurance in New York, averaging $718 per month, followed by Healthfirst at $972 and Univera Healthcare at $1,049.

Compare affordable health insurance plans from New York providers below.

Written by Patrick Bryant

Updated: October 7, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways

Ambetter is the cheapest health insurance company in our New York analysis at $718 per month, $510 below the $1,228 state average.

Ambetter also has the lowest Silver HMO rates for every household type in our analysis, ranging from $718 per month for an individual to $2,156 for a family.

The cheapest insurer changes by plan type. MVP Health Care has the lowest HMO rates in four of five metal tiers, while Univera Healthcare has the lowest EPO rates across every available tier we reviewed.

Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in New York

Ambetter is the cheapest health insurance company in New York in our analysis, averaging $718 per month, which is $510 below the $1,228 state average. Healthfirst is the second most affordable at $972, so choosing Ambetter over Health First could save you $254 per month or $3,048 per year in premiums.

These insurer averages combine plans across multiple metal tiers and plan types, so the cheapest company can change depending on the coverage you choose. Your actual premium and available insurers also depend on your age, county and plan.


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 across all plan types and metal levels. Monthly savings show the gap between each insurer's rate and the state average.

Ambetter

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Monthly Cost
$718
Deductible
$2,450
MOOP
$10,150

pros
- Lowest monthly premiums in New York
- Five metal tiers let you choose your deductible level
- Rewards program provides gift cards for preventive care visits
cons
- High deductibles mean paying more before coverage starts
- Narrower provider network than competitors like Excellus
Ambetter from Fidelis Care is the most affordable health insurance provider in New York. Premiums average $718 monthly for individuals, saving you $510 per month ($6,120 annually) compared to the state average. For Silver plans, Ambetter also has the lowest rates across every household type we analyzed: $718 for an individual, $1,286 for a parent and child, $1,513 for a couple and $2,156 for a family.

Ambetter offers Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health in Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Catastrophic tiers. These plans cover ACA essential benefits like preventive care, mental health services, prescriptions and hospital care. Members have access to 24/7 virtual care, telehealth and online tools to manage claims, payments and find providers.

Compare Cheap New York Health Insurance Plans

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:


MVP Health Care	MVP Premier Silver 1, Silver, ST, INN, NY Individual On Exchange HMO, Dep25, Telemedicine, Wellness	$1,030	HMO	Silver	$10,150	$2,450
MVP Health Care	MVP Premier Silver 1, Silver, ST, INN, NY Individual On Exchange HMO, Dep29, Telemedicine, Wellness	$1,040	HMO	Silver	$10,150	$2,450
CDPHP	HMO Copayment 30, Silver, ST, INN, HMO Network, Dep25	$1,182	HMO	Silver	$10,150	$2,450
CDPHP	HMO Copayment 30, Silver, ST, INN, HMO Network, Dep29	$1,186	HMO	Silver	$10,150	$2,450

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Get your real quotes from trusted insurance providers.

Cheapest HMO Health Insurance in New York

MVP Health Care has the cheapest HMO health insurance in New York in four of the five metal tiers in our analysis. Its Expanded Bronze plan is the lowest-cost HMO at $780 per month, while CDPHP has the cheapest standard Bronze plan at $873.

MVP's Gold HMO averages $1,263 per month with a $775 deductible and $10,150 maximum out-of-pocket cost. Platinum costs $284 more per month, or $3,408 more per year, but eliminates the deductible and reduces the maximum out-of-pocket cost to $2,000. Shoppers can compare that guaranteed premium increase with the potential reduction in cost sharing.


Bronze	CDPHP	$873	$9,100	$4,813
Expanded Bronze	MVP Health Care	$780	$8,050	$5,500
Silver	MVP Health Care	$1,035	$10,150	$2,450
Gold	MVP Health Care	$1,263	$10,150	$775
Platinum	MVP Health Care	$1,547	$2,000	$0

* Rates are based on state averages for a single adult.

Cheapest EPO Health Insurance in New York

Univera Healthcare has the cheapest EPO health insurance in New York across every available metal tier in our analysis. With no standard Bronze EPO plans available in New York, Expanded Bronze is its lowest-cost EPO plan at $758 per month.

Univera's Gold EPO averages $1,256 per month with a $775 deductible and $10,150 maximum out-of-pocket cost. Platinum costs $232 more per month, or $2,784 more per year, while eliminating the deductible and reducing the maximum out-of-pocket cost to $2,000. Compare that additional premium with how much cost sharing you're comfortable taking on.


Expanded Bronze	Univera Healthcare	$758	$8,050	$5,500
Silver	Univera Healthcare	$985	$10,150	$2,450
Gold	Univera Healthcare	$1,256	$10,150	$775
Platinum	Univera Healthcare	$1,488	$2,000	$0

* Rates are based on state averages for a single adult.

Cheapest New York Health Insurance by Household Type

Ambetter has the cheapest Silver tier health insurance plans in New York for every household type. An individual averages $718 per month, while a parent and child pay $1,286, an increase of $568. A couple averages $1,513, or $795 more than individual coverage, and a family averages $2,156 per month.

The family premium is three times the $718 individual rate, showing how household composition can change the total cost even when the insurer, plan type and metal tier stay the same. These figures are based specifically on Silver coverage, so rates will differ for other metal tiers.


Individual	Ambetter	$718	$10,150	$2,450
Parent and Child	Ambetter	$1,286	$10,150	$2,450
Couple	Ambetter	$1,513	$10,150	$2,450
Family	Ambetter	$2,156	$10,150	$2,450

* Rates are based on state averages for Silver tier plans.

Average Cost of Health Insurance in New York

Metal tier has a larger effect on New York health insurance premiums than choosing between an HMO and EPO. HMO premiums range from $798 per month for Expanded Bronze to $1,678 for Platinum, an $880 difference. EPO premiums range from $846 for Expanded Bronze to $1,660 for Platinum, an $814 difference.

By comparison, HMO and EPO premiums are relatively close within the same metal tier. Silver averages $1,109 per month for an HMO and $1,099 for an EPO, a $10 difference. The premium gap between HMO and EPO plans is $28 for Gold and $18 for Platinum. If you have access to both plan types in your area, metal tier will have a bigger impact on cost, while the HMO-versus-EPO decision should depend more on provider networks, referral requirements and how you prefer to access care.


HMO	$873	$798	$1,109	$1,373	$1,678
EPO	N/A	$846	$1,099	$1,401	$1,660

* Rates are state averages for single adults in New York by plan type and metal tier, based on MoneyGeek's analysis of 2026 New York State of Health plan filings. Your actual premium will vary by age, location and plan.

How to Get the Cheapest Health Insurance in New York

When shopping for cheap health insurance in New York, compare both premiums and what you'll pay when you use care. Ambetter's Bronze plans cost $154 less per month than its Silver plans on average but have a deductible that's $3,050 higher. Start with that premium-versus-cost-sharing tradeoff, then compare eligibility for income-based programs, provider networks and prescription coverage.

1
Decide what coverage you need and what you can spend
On NY State of Health, compare plan types and metal tiers side by side. Ambetter's Bronze plan costs $564 per month compared with $718 for Silver, a difference of $154 per month or $1,848 per year. The Silver deductible is $2,450 compared with $5,500 for Bronze, a $3,050 reduction.

That $1,848 annual premium difference provides a useful benchmark for comparing the two tiers. Bronze keeps your guaranteed premium lower but exposes you to a higher deductible, while Silver requires more premium spending in exchange for lower upfront cost sharing.
2
Check if you qualify for low-cost or no-cost programs
Before you settle on a private plan, check whether your household qualifies for Medicaid, the Essential Plan, Child Health Plus or subsidized coverage on a Qualified Health Plan. New York's Essential Plan covers adults earning up to 250% of the federal poverty level.

Essential Plan enrollees often pay no premium and no deductible, with copays as low as $0 to $15 per visit. That's a savings of $718 or more monthly compared to Ambetter's cheapest Silver plan. Medicaid and Child Health Plus accept applications year-round, so income changes during the year can qualify you mid-calendar.
3
Use NY State of Health tools to compare prices quickly
Insurer choice creates a $481 monthly range in the statewide rates shown in our analysis, from $718 with Ambetter to $1,199 with Independent Health. That's a $5,772 annual premium difference before considering deductibles, provider networks, prescription coverage or financial assistance.

Use NY State of Health to compare the plans available in your county and determine whether you qualify for subsidies or other coverage programs.
4
Weigh provider networks and prescriptions against price
A cheap premium only helps if the plan covers the doctors and medicines you rely on. Lower-cost plans from Ambetter and Healthfirst use tighter networks than mid-priced competitors like Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

Check that your primary care doctor, specialists and preferred hospitals are in-network before enrolling. Then look at each plan's drug formulary. New York Silver plans set the same $2,450 deductible across providers, but prescription copays vary. A plan that charges $50 per fill for a daily medication costs $600 more per year than one that charges $0 for the same drug tier.
5
Enroll at the right time and revisit your options each year
New York's Open Enrollment for Qualified Health Plans runs from November 1 to January 31. Medicaid, the Essential Plan and Child Health Plus stay open year-round, so a job loss or income change at any point qualifies you immediately for those programs.

Plan lineups and rates change every year. Ambetter's $510 monthly advantage over the state average is based on 2026 data. That gap may narrow or widen when 2027 plans are released. Check your current plan's rate and network against competitors each Open Enrollment before auto-renewing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ambetter is the cheapest health insurance company in our New York analysis at $718 per month. That's $254 less per month than Healthfirst at $972 and $331 less than Univera Healthcare at $1,049. Your actual premium and available insurers depend on your county, age, metal tier and plan choice.

A lower health insurance premium can come with higher cost sharing when you need care. Ambetter's Bronze coverage costs $564 per month with a $5,500 deductible, while its Silver coverage costs $718 with a $2,450 deductible. Bronze saves $154 per month, or $1,848 per year, in premiums but increases the deductible by $3,050.

Also compare provider networks, prescription coverage and maximum out-of-pocket costs. The plan with the lowest premium may not have the lowest total cost for someone who expects frequent medical care.

Yes, you can buy individual health insurance in New York through NY State of Health. Shop during Open Enrollment (November 1 to January 31) for private plans. Medicaid, Essential Plan and Child Health Plus accept applications year-round if you qualify based on income and household size.

First, check whether you qualify for Medicaid, New York's Essential Plan or Child Health Plus, since these programs provide lower-cost coverage to eligible residents. If you need a Qualified Health Plan, compare the premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs of plans available in your county through NY State of Health and check whether you qualify for financial assistance.

Our Methodology

We analyzed 2026 health insurance plan data from the NY State of Health marketplace across all available carriers, plan types and metal tiers. Our primary analysis used Silver tier INN plan premiums for a single adult because Silver is the most popular metal tier and INN plans are the most widely available option in New York. Household rankings are based on average premiums for individuals, couples, families and parent-child households. Metal tier comparisons use individual premiums across Catastrophic, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum plans. Carrier averages represent the rounded mean premium for each insurer within the applicable metal tier and household type.

About Patrick Bryant

Patrick Bryant is the Vertical Lead for Health Insurance at MoneyGeek, where he researches insurance products, writes consumer guides and maintains the scoring methodologies behind our provider comparisons. He analyzed more than 100 health insurance carriers across all 50 U.S. states and multiple policy types. His methodologies are reviewed quarterly to reflect current market conditions and carrier data.

Read Full Bio »

Sources

HealthCare.gov. "Health Insurance Marketplace." Accessed November 15, 2026.
CMS.gov. "What are you looking for today?." Accessed November 15, 2026.
NY State of Health. "Individual and Family Plans." Accessed November 15, 2026.