Cheapest Health Insurance in Tennessee (2026)

Oscar has the lowest carrier average at Silver EPO in Tennessee at $734 per month for a 40-year-old. Its Silver plan variants range from $734 to $738, so the choice between them is about benefits rather than price. In our analysis of 2026 Tennessee rate filings, Oscar was the only carrier among the six we reviewed to hold the Silver average below every Ambetter and BCBS plan in the state.

Gold is worth the extra cost over Silver for most adults who see a doctor more than twice a year. Alliant's Gold deductible at $1,313 is $1,787 lower than Silver's $3,100. Any year you spend more than $348 on deductible-covered care, Gold costs less overall than Silver.

*Average monthly rates represent the rounded mean of each provider's monthly plan rates in Tennessee. Monthly savings show how much less each provider costs compared to the statewide average of $765. Providers priced above the state average show $0 savings. Your actual rates will vary based on age, location and chosen plan.

At $950 monthly, Alliant's Platinum costs $187 more per month than Gold. Add each tier's annual premium to its maximum out-of-pocket and the totals nearly match, Platinum comes to $15,300 and Gold to $15,419. If you are managing chronic conditions or are planning surgery get coverage from day one without a deductible to clear first.

Compare 2026 Tennessee health insurance plans by carrier, metal tier and age:

All Tennessee marketplace carriers use EPO plans. EPO plans don't cover out-of-network care except in emergencies. Your network check before enrolling matters more here because there's no out-of-network option outside emergencies on any Tennessee marketplace plan.

At Bronze, Blue Cross Blue Shield has the lowest average at $590. Its $7,950 deductible means you pay the first $7,950 of care before coverage begins. Bronze works only for people who have no current medical needs and are buying coverage against unexpected catastrophic costs. Silver or Gold costs less in total for everyone else.

Alliant raised its 2026 rates by a smaller amount than any other Tennessee carrier, across every age group we analyzed outside adults. Base premiums are lower at younger age profiles, so a smaller rate increase produces a larger absolute monthly advantage over carriers that raised rates more aggressively.

*Rates are averages across all available plan types and metal tiers for each age group. Alliant Health Plans serves Southeast Tennessee. Your actual rate varies by location and plan choice.

Oscar's $6,608 MOOP is $846 higher than Alliant's $5,762. For adults with chronic conditions or regular prescription costs, Alliant's lower MOOP means the total annual cost is lower than Oscar's once your claims reach the deductible.

For children, Alliant's $5,762 maximum out-of-pocket exceeds the full annual premium of $5,244. A high-use year adds up to $11,006 in total cost before any cost-sharing above the MOOP. Low monthly rates on children's plans don't cap your annual exposure.

Oscar is our first recommendation at the Silver EPO tier for a 40-year-old. Its $734 is the lowest carrier average at Silver in Tennessee and the $0 virtual urgent care covers urgent sick visits remotely without counting toward your deductible.

Before enrolling, confirm your primary care doctor and any specialists are in Oscar's network. Its coverage concentrates in Nashville and Memphis.

For Gold or Platinum, Alliant is our recommendation, if you live in Southeast Tennessee. At Gold, Alliant's deductible reduction versus Silver exceeds the annual premium increase for any adult who uses care more than twice a year. Nashville and Memphis residents should compare Cigna Healthcare and UnitedHealthcare for Gold-tier pricing before enrolling.

We gathered plan data from six carriers through HealthCare.gov at ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Monthly premium accounts for 60% of the score, maximum out-of-pocket for 20% and deductible for 20%, reflecting that recurring costs shape long-term affordability more than one-time variables.

Lower average premiums earn higher scores. Carriers with lower average MOOPs and deductibles score higher in those dimensions. Lower monthly premiums come with higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, which can increase your costs when you need care.