Ambetter is the cheapest health insurance provider in New York, with rates averaging $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: July 2, 2026
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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 averaging $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 across all plan types and metal levels. Monthly savings show the gap between each insurer's rate and the state average. 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
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:
HMO
Silver
Individual
No
| 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 |
Your Next Step:
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 across four of the five metal tiers. Its Expanded Bronze plan is the most affordable option at $780 per month, while CDPHP has the cheapest Bronze plan at $873 per month.
MVP Health Care's Gold plan averages $1,263 per month and keeps the deductible low at $775. Platinum coverage costs $1,547 per month but eliminates the deductible entirely and lowers the maximum out-of-pocket cost to $2,000. The higher premium is most worthwhile if you expect frequent medical care or high health care expenses during the year.
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 provides the cheapest EPO health insurance in New York across every available metal tier. With no standard Bronze EPO plans available in New York, Expanded Bronze is the most affordable option at $758 per month.
Univera's Platinum plan averages $1,488 per month and has no deductible with a $2,000 maximum out-of-pocket, compared to a $775 deductible and $10,150 maximum out-of-pocket on its Gold plan. Gold is usually the better value for people with moderate health care needs, while Platinum can pay off if you anticipate frequent doctor visits, ongoing treatment or expensive prescriptions.
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 health insurance in New York for every household type in our analysis. Average premiums range from $234 per month for an individual to $667 per month for a family, based on all available plan types and metal tiers. Adding a child increases the average premium to $398 per month, while covering two adults as a couple averages $468 per month.
Because these figures include every metal tier, your actual premium will vary depending on the level of coverage you choose, with Bronze and Expanded Bronze plans generally costing less than Silver, Gold and Platinum plans but carrying higher deductibles.
Individual | Ambetter | $234 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
Parent and Child | Ambetter | $398 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
Couple | Ambetter | $468 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
Family | Ambetter | $667 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
* Rates are based on state averages across all plan types and metal tiers.
Average Cost of Health Insurance in New York
HMO Expanded Bronze is the cheapest health insurance option in New York, averaging $798 per month. New York doesn't offer standard Bronze EPO plans, so Expanded Bronze EPO plans are the lowest-cost EPO option at $846 per month. Across Silver, Gold and Platinum, HMO and EPO premiums stay within about $30 per month of each other.
With only a small difference in premiums, the better choice depends on how you prefer to access care. HMO plans require you to choose a primary care doctor and get referrals before seeing specialists. EPO plans don't require referrals, but they still don't cover nonemergency care outside the plan's provider network.
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
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.
- 1Decide what coverage you need and what you can spend
On NY State of Health, compare plan types and metal tiers side by side. The difference between Ambetter's cheapest Bronze plan ($564 monthly) and its Silver plan ($718 monthly) is $154 per month or $1,848 per year. That extra cost buys a deductible that drops from $5,500 to $2,450.
Bronze works in your favor if you rarely use medical care beyond an annual checkup. Silver's lower deductible is likely worth the higher premium if you expect more than one medical event in the year.
- 2Check 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.
- 3Use NY State of Health tools to compare prices quickly
Running a comparison on NY State of Health pulls plan options, subsidy eligibility and out-of-pocket estimates in one view, faster than checking each insurer's site separately. In MoneyGeek's New York rate data, that comparison spans a $481 monthly rate range across Silver-tier plans from the same NY State of Health marketplace. Compare plans at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or use the quote tool on this page to see options available in your county.
- 4Weigh provider networks and prescriptions against price
A cheap premium only helps if the plan covers the doctors and medicines you rely on. MoneyGeek's New York rate data shows that, 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.
- 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, 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.
Bottom Line
Ambetter at $718 is my top pick for cost-focused shoppers who don't have established specialists. It won't work for everyone. Check your specific providers and prescriptions against its network before enrolling.
HealthFirst at $972 is the next most affordable option, with a broader footprint in the New York City metro for enrollees whose doctors aren't in Ambetter's network. Univera Healthcare and Independent Health cover regional hospital systems in western and upstate New York that Ambetter and HealthFirst don't reach. Compare at least two plans before enrolling.
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 is the cheapest health insurance in New York with $718 monthly average cost, 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?
Low premiums mean higher costs when you use care. Ambetter's Bronze plan costs $564 monthly but carries a $5,500 deductible, meaning you pay the first $5,500 of covered medical costs yourself each year before the plan covers anything beyond preventive care. Its Silver plan costs $192 more per month but cuts that deductible to $2,450. Cheaper plans also tend to use narrower provider networks, which can mean your current doctors aren't covered. Check both the deductible and the provider network before choosing based on premium alone.
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 or Silver plans at $756 monthly with subsidies. Use NY State of Health's comparison tool to match your budget with coverage.
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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.
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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.
Sources
- HealthCare.gov. "Health Insurance Marketplace." Accessed July 3, 2026.
- CMS.gov. "What are you looking for today?." Accessed July 3, 2026.
- NY State of Health. "Individual and Family Plans." Accessed July 3, 2026.