Jefferson Health Plans charges $488 monthly for Pennsylvania's cheapest health insurance. That's $196 below the $684 state average. Partners Insurance Company, Inc. runs $549 per month. UPMC Health Plan costs $619. Lower premiums from Jefferson come with a catch: higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums mean you'll save monthly but pay more per doctor visit. So if you see your doctor frequently, Partners or UPMC might actually cost less annually despite higher premiums.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Pennsylvania (2026)
Updated: January 2, 2026
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Key Takeaways
The most affordable health insurance options in Pennsylvania are Jefferson Health Plans at $488 monthly, followed by Partners Insurance Company, Inc. at $549 and UPMC Health Plan at $619.
We found Jefferson Health Plans offers the best rates for most Pennsylvania residents, including teens, young adults, seniors and adults, plus it is the cheapest for the HMO market, while other carriers dominate PPO and EPO options.
Cheapest Health Insurance Providers in Pennsylvania
| Jefferson Health Plans | $488 | $196 | $5,856 | $2,352 |
| Partners Insurance Company, Inc. | $549 | $135 | $6,588 | $1,620 |
| UPMC Health Plan | $619 | $65 | $7,428 | $780 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $651 | $33 | $7,812 | $396 |
| Oscar | $658 | $26 | $7,896 | $312 |
| Ambetter Health of Pennsylvania, Inc. | $720 | $36 | $8,640 | $432 |
| Highmark Inc. | $784 | $100 | $9,408 | $1,200 |
| Geisinger Health System | $810 | $126 | $9,720 | $1,512 |
| Geisinger Quality Options, Inc. | $916 | $232 | $10,992 | $2,784 |
* We determine average monthly costs by rounding the mean of all monthly plan rates for each provider in Pennsylvania. We calculate average monthly savings by comparing each provider's average rate against the statewide average.
Jefferson Health Plans
MoneyGeek Rating
4.3/ 5
5/5Affordability
3.9/5Deductible
2.5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$488Average MOOP
$10,533Average Deductible
$3,767
Most Affordable Pennsylvania Health Insurance by Category
The best health insurance provider isn't determined solely by comparing overall average premiums. Your personal rate varies based on factors such as age, plan type and metal tier selection. Informed buyers also weigh how monthly costs balance against deductibles and out-of-pocket limits.
Jefferson Health Plans provides the most affordable rates across most demographics in Pennsylvania. This comes with higher deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs.
| Teens | Jefferson Health Plans | $345 | $4,144 | $10,600 | $4,133 |
| Young Adults | Jefferson Health Plans | $387 | $4,648 | $10,600 | $4,133 |
| Adults | Jefferson Health Plans | $483 | $5,801 | $10,600 | $4,133 |
| HMO | Jefferson Health Plans | $483 | $5,801 | $10,600 | $4,133 |
| EPO | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $503 | $6,036 | $9,333 | $2,000 |
| PPO | Partners Insurance Company, Inc. | $527 | $6,328 | $10,600 | $2,600 |
| Seniors | Jefferson Health Plans | $1,027 | $12,318 | $10,600 | $4,133 |
* These are average rates for all plan types and metal levels, with teens at 18 years old, young adults at 26 years old, adults at 40 years old and seniors at 60 years old. For plan type costs, we used average rates for 40-year-olds.
Most Affordable Pennsylvania Health Insurance by Metal Level
For 40-year-olds in Pennsylvania, Jefferson Health Plans provides the most affordable Bronze and Silver coverage at $311 and $483 monthly, respectively. UPMC Health Plan leads Gold plans at $395 per month with a $2,900 deductible.
| Bronze | Jefferson Health Plans | $311 | $3,729 | $10,400 | $6,167 |
| Gold | UPMC Health Plan | $395 | $4,742 | $6,000 | $2,900 |
| Silver | Jefferson Health Plans | $483 | $5,801 | $10,600 | $4,133 |
| Platinum | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $545 | $6,539 | $5,000 | $0 |
Your health insurance costs depend on several key factors such as age, plan type, metal level and coverage needs. Using comprehensive Pennsylvania data, we've identified options so you can find plans matching your specific situation and budget.
Cheap Pennsylvania Health Insurance: Personalized Picks
When shopping for cheap health insurance, multiple factors affect your rate, including age, plan type, metal level and coverage needs. We've collected statewide data for Pennsylvania to help you filter options based on your unique situation and budget.
Data filtered by:
HMO
Silver
40
No
| Jefferson Health Plans | Jefferson Health Plans + Total + Silver + HMO + On Exchange | $455 | HMO | Silver | $10,600 | $5,500 | 40 | No |
| Jefferson Health Plans | Jefferson Health Plans + Balanced + Silver + HMO + On Exchange | $468 | HMO | Silver | $10,600 | $6,900 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | Keystone HMO Silver Proactive Essential | $490 | HMO | Silver | $9,200 | $5,000 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | Keystone HMO Silver Proactive Basic | $510 | HMO | Silver | $9,200 | $2,500 | 40 | No |
| Jefferson Health Plans | Jefferson Health Plans + $0 Deductible + Silver + HMO + On Exchange | $527 | HMO | Silver | $10,600 | $0 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | Keystone HMO Silver Basic | $540 | HMO | Silver | $9,000 | $5,500 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | Keystone HMO Silver Proactive Lite | $582 | HMO | Silver | $9,200 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | Keystone HMO Silver Proactive | $588 | HMO | Silver | $9,200 | $0 | 40 | No |
| Oscar | Silver Simple PCP Saver | $611 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,750 | 40 | No |
| Oscar | Silver Classic | $618 | HMO | Silver | $8,900 | $5,600 | 40 | No |
How to Get Cheap Health Insurance in Pennsylvania
Use these strategies to find quality coverage that you can afford.
- 1Look Beyond the Cheapest Plans
Don't automatically pick the lowest-cost Bronze plan available. While premiums are lower, you could end up paying more overall due to high deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. Gold and Silver plans often deliver better value if you visit doctors regularly or take prescription medications.
- 2Assess Your Medical Spending
Review last year's health care expenses to guide your choice. If you spent $400 on three doctor visits and lab work, a high-deductible plan with a $7,000 deductible might save you $120 monthly compared to a premium plan with lower out-of-pocket costs.
- 3Explore HMO Options
HMO plans deliver premium savings compared to PPO coverage in Pennsylvania. You'll need to choose providers within the network and get referrals for specialists, but the monthly savings can be substantial if these limitations work for your lifestyle.
- 4Verify Subsidy Eligibility
Premium tax credits through the Health Insurance Marketplace can reduce your monthly costs based on household income. Families earning up to four times the federal poverty level may qualify for assistance, so check your eligibility before buying any plan.
- 5Time Your Purchase Right
Open enrollment gives you access to the most plans and competitive rates. Missing this annual window means waiting until next year unless you experience a qualified life event like marriage, job loss or moving that triggers special enrollment.
- 6Review Provider Networks Carefully
Confirm your current doctors and preferred hospitals accept your chosen plan before enrolling. Network restrictions can force you to switch providers or pay much higher out-of-network costs, potentially eliminating any premium savings you gained from selecting that plan.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Pennsylvania Bottom Line
For Pennsylvania residents, Jefferson Health Plans provides the most affordable rates across multiple coverage tiers. Both Partners Insurance Company, Inc. and UPMC Health Plan round out the top three with competitive pricing.
Your optimal rate comes from comparing different plan types and metal levels from several companies.
Affordable Health Insurance in Pennsylvania: FAQ
Find answers to the most common health insurance questions for Pennsylvania residents:
How do I get cheap health insurance in Pennsylvania?
Check if you qualify for premium tax credits through the Health Insurance Marketplace and compare plans across multiple metal tiers during open enrollment. Consider affordable options from Jefferson Health Plans, Partners Insurance Company, Inc., and UPMC Health Plan. HMO plans offer lower rates, but balance monthly premiums against deductibles.
How much does health insurance cost in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania health insurance averages $714 monthly or $8,572 annually across all plan types and metal levels. Monthly premiums span from $182 to $2,156 varying by age, chosen coverage tier and plan type.
Does Pennsylvania require health insurance?
Pennsylvania does not require residents to have health insurance. The federal individual mandate penalty was eliminated in 2019, so you won't face tax penalties at either the federal or state level for being uninsured. Not having coverage still means risking high medical expenses.
Our Methodology
We gathered plan information from Pennie for consumers aged 18 to 60, specifically examining costs for 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60-year-olds. Our cheapest overall rankings focus on 40-year-olds' monthly premiums as this age group is the most common demographically and provides a clear comparison.
Age-specific rankings reflect their respective premium costs. Lower premiums often come with higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, which could increase your costs when receiving care.
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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.