Cheapest Health Insurance in Tennessee (2026)

Oscar has the lowest carrier average in Tennessee at $747 per month for a 40-year-old. Its Silver plan variants range from $734 to $739, so the choice between them comes down to benefits. Only Alliant's two Silver plans, at $699 and $731, cost less than Oscar's $734, and every Ambetter and BCBS Silver plan in our data costs more.

Alliant's Gold deductible, the amount you pay for covered care before the plan starts sharing costs, is $1,313. That's $1,787 lower than the $3,100 deductible on Oscar's $734 Silver. Counting premiums and deductibles only, Alliant's Gold costs less overall than Oscar's $734 Silver in any year you spend $1,661 to $3,100 on covered care.

*Average monthly rates represent the rounded mean of each provider's monthly plan rates in Tennessee for 40-year-olds. Monthly savings show how much less each provider costs compared to the statewide average of $766, the mean of the six providers' averages. Providers priced above the state average show $0 savings.

At $950 monthly, Alliant's Platinum costs $187 more per month than Gold. If you are managing chronic conditions or are planning surgery, Platinum gets you coverage from day one without a deductible to clear first.

Compare 2026 Tennessee health insurance plans by carrier, metal tier and age. At Silver for a 40-year-old, Alliant's $699 plan is cheapest.

All Tennessee marketplace carriers use EPO plans, and Alliant Health Plans has the cheapest EPO plan at every metal tier except Bronze. EPO plans don't cover out-of-network care except in emergencies.

*Silver figures are for Alliant's cheapest Silver plan for a 40-year-old. Expanded Bronze plans are Bronze plans that pay a larger share of costs and, unless HSA-eligible, cover at least one major service before the deductible.

At Bronze, Blue Cross Blue Shield has the lowest average at $590. Alliant's Expanded Bronze costs $28 less at $562 with a lower deductible, but Alliant sells plans only in Southeast Tennessee. Its $7,950 deductible means you pay the first $7,950 of care before coverage begins, though in-network preventive care is covered at no cost. 

Bronze works best for people who have no current medical needs and are buying coverage against unexpected catastrophic costs. For everyone else, Silver and Gold plans carry lower deductibles, down to $1,313 at Gold.

Alliant is the cheapest carrier for every age group we analyzed outside adults.

*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 caps yearly out-of-pocket costs below Oscar's, though Alliant's $771 average premium is $24 a month higher.

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 annual premium plus 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 Silver rate in Tennessee outside Alliant, which sells only in Southeast 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 $1,787 deductible reduction compared with Oscar's $734 Silver exceeds Gold's $348 annual premium increase. 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 for five age groups, from children to seniors. Monthly premium accounts for 60% of the score, maximum out-of-pocket for 20% and deductible for 20%. These weights reflect that recurring costs shape long-term affordability more than deductible and MOOP costs, which apply only when you use care.

Lower average premiums produce 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.