Sanford provides the cheapest health insurance policies with an average monthly premium of $612. Availability varies by county, but Sanford is the most affordable provider overall. Avera and Wellmark also offer competitive rates.
Cheapest Health Insurance in South Dakota: Affordable Plans for 2026
Updated: December 21, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Sanford is South Dakota's most affordable health insurance provider, with an average monthly premium of $612.
Avera offers the cheapest rates for children, teens, young adults, adults, seniors and HMO plans. Sanford has the lowest Gold and PPO rates, and Wellmark provides the most affordable EPO coverage.
Compare at least three insurers during Open Enrollment to find affordable coverage. Spending 30 minutes comparing plans can save you hundreds annually.
Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in South Dakota
| Sanford Health Plan | $612 | $39 | $7,344 | $468 |
| Avera Health Plans | $660 | $9 | $7,920 | $108 |
| Wellmark Of South Dakota, Inc. | $736 | $85 | $8,832 | $1,020 |
* We calculate average monthly rates by taking the rounded average of each provider’s monthly plan rates in South Dakota. We calculate average monthly savings by subtracting the statewide average monthly rate from each provider’s average to show how much cheaper they are than the overall state average. Your actual rates will vary based on age, location and chosen plan.
Sanford Health Plan
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.2/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Avg. Monthly Rate
$612Avg. MOOP
$7,415Avg. Deductible
$5,013
Cheapest South Dakota Health Insurance Providers By Profile
Your age, plan type and metal level determine which provider offers the lowest rates. Compare premiums against deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs when choosing coverage.
| Children | Avera Health Plans | $326 | $3,916 | $5,998 | $3,021 |
| Teens | Avera Health Plans | $389 | $4,673 | $5,998 | $3,021 |
| Young Adults | Avera Health Plans | $437 | $5,241 | $5,998 | $3,021 |
| Adults | Avera Health Plans | $545 | $6,542 | $5,998 | $3,021 |
| HMO | Avera Health Plans | $545 | $6,542 | $5,998 | $3,021 |
| EPO | Wellmark Of South Dakota, Inc. | $740 | $8,880 | $5,325 | $3,007 |
| PPO | Sanford Health Plan | $753 | $9,035 | $5,867 | $2,748 |
| Seniors | Avera Health Plans | $1,158 | $13,892 | $5,998 | $3,021 |
* Rates shown are averages for silver-tier plans, using the following ages for each group: teens age 18, young adults age 26, adults age 40, seniors age 60. For plan type costs, we used average rates for 40-year-olds.
Cheapest South Dakota Health Insurance By Metal Level
Metal tiers determine your monthly premiums and what you'll pay when you need care. Bronze plans cost less monthly but charge higher deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. Platinum plans have higher premiums but lower costs when you use medical services. Choose Bronze if you rarely see doctors and want to minimize monthly payments. Gold plans work better for frequent medical appointments and prescriptions.
Avera offers South Dakota's cheapest Silver plans at $545 monthly, while Sanford provides the lowest Gold coverage at $574. Platinum plans aren't available in South Dakota.
| Catastrophic | Sanford Health Plan | $294 | $3,528 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
| Expanded Bronze | Avera Health Plans | $432 | $5,185 | $7,025 | $5,375 |
| Silver | Avera Health Plans | $545 | $6,542 | $5,998 | $3,021 |
| Gold | Sanford Health Plan | $574 | $6,882 | $6,450 | $1,406 |
* Rates shown are the provider's average at the given metal tier for 40-year-olds.
Compare Cheap South Dakota Health Insurance Plans
Check the table below to discover the cheapest health insurance options in South Dakota tailored to your requirements:
Data filtered by:
PPO
Silver
40
No
| Sanford Health Plan | Sanford Individual Simplicity Standardized $6,000 | $722 | PPO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| Avera Health Plans | Connectplus Standard $6000 | $749 | PPO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| Avera Health Plans | Connectplus $4500 | $757 | PPO | Silver | $6,143 | $2,864 | 40 | No |
| Sanford Health Plan | Sanford Individual Simplicity $3,500 | $765 | PPO | Silver | $5,971 | $2,214 | 40 | No |
| Avera Health Plans | Connectplus Myweighforward $6000 | $771 | PPO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| Sanford Health Plan | Sanford Individual Simplicity $4,750 | $771 | PPO | Silver | $5,971 | $2,929 | 40 | No |
| Avera Health Plans | Connectplus $0 Silver | $822 | PPO | Silver | $6,536 | No Data | 40 | No |
How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in South Dakota
Shopping for health insurance can feel daunting with numerous plans featuring varying premiums, deductibles and coverage options. Use these steps to identify affordable coverage that fits your healthcare requirements without straining your budget.
- 1Determine what coverage plan you need and can afford
Your health circumstances and income determine which type of plan and metal tier work best. Calculate your monthly premium budget, assess your current health status and evaluate your injury or illness risk based on age, location and lifestyle.
- 2Find out your subsidy eligibility
Your household income and size determine eligibility for 2026 health insurance subsidies. Subsidies apply to incomes between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Lower incomes receive larger subsidies, with credit amounts decreasing as income rises.
- 3Consider federal programs if you're 65 or older
Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans cost less than marketplace coverage. Compare eligibility requirements and benefits for each program.
- 4Review prescription formularies
Check which tier your medications fall under for each insurer. Some plans place common prescriptions on lower tiers with smaller copays, potentially saving you hundreds annually.
- 5Compare plans during Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15. You may qualify for Special Enrollment if you've lost your job, divorced or had a child. Compare coverage types, customer ratings, costs and whether your doctors accept the plan.
Cheapest Health Insurance in : Bottom Line
Sanford, Avera and Wellmark offer South Dakota's lowest health insurance rates. Compare quotes from at least three insurers across multiple metal tiers to match your budget and coverage needs.
Cheap South Dakota Health Insurance: FAQ
We answer common questions about affordable health insurance in South Dakota:
What is the cheapest health insurance in South Dakota?
Sanford offers the cheapest health insurance, with Silver plans starting at $753 monthly for 40-year-olds.
What are the downsides of a cheap health insurance plan?
Cheap plans charge higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs when you need medical care. You'll pay less monthly but more when using services. Higher-premium plans cost more upfront but reduce what you pay for doctor visits, prescriptions and procedures.
Do I qualify for subsidies on health insurance in South Dakota?
Subsidies reduce monthly premiums through HealthCare.gov, South Dakota's federal marketplace. Enter your household income during enrollment to check eligibility.
When can I enroll in health insurance in South Dakota?
You can enroll in South Dakota health insurance during Open Enrollment from November 1 to January 15. However, you may qualify for Special Enrollment throughout the year if you experience a qualifying life event like marriage, job loss or having a baby.
How We Decided the Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in South Dakota
South Dakota offers hundreds of health insurance plans, and premiums vary by age. We analyzed rate data from the federal health insurance marketplace to identify which insurers offer the lowest premiums for different demographics.
Our Analysis Approach
We collected plan data for consumers aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60 to cover the full age spectrum from teens through pre-Medicare seniors. We ranked providers by their average monthly premiums for 40-year-olds as our baseline "cheapest overall" category, since this age reflects South Dakota's median health insurance consumer and provides the most relevant comparison for most shoppers.
For age-specific rankings (teens, young adults, adults, seniors), we used the corresponding ages listed above. This approach reveals which insurers offer the best rates for your specific age group, not just generic "cheapest" rankings that may not apply to you.
Important Cost Tradeoff
Bronze and Silver plans (the lowest monthly premiums) charge $3,021 to $10,600 deductibles and $5,998 to $10,600 maximum out-of-pocket costs. You'll save monthly but pay more when you need care. Compare premiums and potential out-of-pocket expenses based on your expected medical usage.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like 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.