Cheapest Health Insurance in Vermont: Affordable Plans for 2026

MVP Health Care offers the cheapest health insurance plans in Vermont for the 2026 plan year.

Discover affordable health insurance in Vermont below.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: May 19, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways

MVP Health Care is Vermont's most affordable health insurance provider, with an average monthly premium of $1,135.

MVP Health Care has the lowest rates across all demographic categories and HMO plans.

Vermont's marketplace has two carriers. Comparing both across multiple metal tiers for your age takes under an hour and can save $1,464 or more annually, depending on which carrier and tier you choose.

Vermont's health insurance marketplace has just two carriers writing individual plans through Vermont Health Connect. That limited competition shapes pricing in ways most shoppers don't realize before they compare plans.

When we analyzed 2026 rates across all available plans, the spread between the two carriers for a 40-year-old on a Silver plan was $191 per month or $2,292 per year, for the same metal-tier coverage. MVP Health Care holds the affordability advantage across every profile and plan type we reviewed. Blue Cross Blue Shield is the only alternative and it costs more at every tier.

Vermont gives shoppers one real decision, not dozens. Choose MVP Health Care if your doctors accept its HMO network. Choose Blue Cross Blue Shield if you need EPO structure.

Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in Vermont

MVP Health Care holds the affordability advantage across every profile and every plan type except EPO, where Blue Cross Blue Shield leads. Blue Cross Blue Shield costs more at every tier overall. Neither carrier offers PPO plans in Vermont's 2026 marketplace.


MVP Health Care	$1,135	$65	$13,620	$780
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$1,257	$57	$15,084	$684

* We calculate average monthly rates by taking the rounded average of each provider’s monthly plan rates in Vermont. 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.

MVP Health Care

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Avg. Monthly Rate
$1135
Avg. MOOP
$7519
Avg. Deductible
$4628

pros
- Wide network of local providers throughout Vermont
- HSA-eligible plans available for Bronze tier coverage
- Strong emphasis on preventive care services
cons
- Only offers HMO plans with no PPO or EPO options
- Some plans require prior authorization for medical services
MVP Health Care is Vermont's most affordable health insurance provider at $1,135 average monthly. Monthly premiums span from $841 for Bronze coverage for 18-year-olds to $1,580 for Platinum plans for 60-year-olds. It includes HSA-eligible Bronze plans and a wide network of local providers throughout Vermont.

MVP Health Care sells only HMO plans, which means your care must stay in-network and most specialist visits require a referral from your primary care doctor. For Vermonters in rural areas with limited local provider networks or anyone who sees out-of-state specialists regularly, that restriction creates real access gaps Blue Cross Blue Shield's EPO structure doesn't impose.

In MoneyGeek's 2026 Vermont Health Connect data, MVP Health Care was the only carrier to win every demographic category at the same Silver rate, from teens at 18 to seniors at 60.
MVP Health Care is worth skipping if you see specialists frequently without referrals, travel regularly for medical care or rely on out-of-state providers. HMO plans won't cover those visits. The out-of-pocket costs from out-of-network care can quickly offset the savings on your monthly premium. Blue Cross Blue Shield's EPO plans start at $933 monthly for a 40-year-old on a Bronze plan and don't require referrals.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Customer Experience

5/5Coverage Points

Avg. Monthly Rate
$1,257
Avg. MOOP
$9,700
Avg. Deductible
$3,625

pros
- No referral required for specialist visits
- $933 monthly Bronze EPO entry point
- Cheapest plan also carries lowest deductible
cons
- Costs $122 more monthly than MVP Health Care
- In-network coverage only, no out-of-network access
- Silver MOOP of $9,700 exceeds MVP's $9,075
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont is the state's only EPO health insurance option in the individual marketplace, averaging $1,257 monthly. Bronze EPO plans start at $933 monthly for 40-year-olds.

In MoneyGeek's Vermont rate data, Blue Cross Blue Shield costs $122 more per month than MVP Health Care on average. For buyers who need EPO structure, that gap is the price of skipping referrals.

The Silver-tier gap between the two carriers is $191 per month. Choosing Blue Cross Blue Shield over MVP Health Care on Silver costs nearly as much as upgrading from MVP's Bronze tier to its Silver tier, which runs $272 more monthly.
Blue Cross Blue Shield costs more at every tier than MVP Health Care. EPO plans still restrict you to in-network providers, so it doesn't solve an out-of-network access problem. It only removes the referral step.

The Silver-tier premium gap adds up to $2,292 per year. If referral-free specialist access isn't a hard requirement for your situation, MVP Health Care at $1,113 monthly on Silver is the stronger value.

Cheapest Vermont Health Insurance Providers By Profile

MVP Health Care has the lowest rates across every demographic profile we analyzed. Blue Cross Blue Shield leads only on EPO plans. Comparing premiums against deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs matters when selecting the best coverage that matches your health care usage patterns and budget constraints throughout the year, especially when you're planning for prescription costs and expected medical visits.


Teens	MVP Health Care	$1,113	$13,353	$9,075	$3,050
Young Adults	MVP Health Care	$1,113	$13,353	$9,075	$3,050
Adults	MVP Health Care	$1,113	$13,353	$9,075	$3,050
Seniors	MVP Health Care	$1,113	$13,353	$9,075	$3,050
HMO	MVP Health Care	$1,113	$13,353	$9,075	$3,050
With Health Savings Account Eligibility	MVP Health Care	$1,144	$13,724	$6,594	$4,119
EPO	Blue Cross Blue Shield	$1,304	$15,644	$9,700	$3,625

* 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 Vermont Health Insurance By Metal Level

MVP Health Care wins across all Vermont metal tiers for 40-year-olds, with Bronze at $841 monthly and Platinum at $1,366. Going from Gold to Platinum costs $2,712 more per year. In return, the deductible drops from $3,250 to $500 and the maximum out-of-pocket falls from $6,850 to $1,600. For anyone with predictable high medical costs, ongoing prescriptions or scheduled procedures, that trade-off can work in their favor despite the higher monthly cost.


Bronze	MVP Health Care	$841	$10,096	$9,330	$7,960
Silver	MVP Health Care	$1,113	$13,353	$9,075	$3,050
Gold	MVP Health Care	$1,140	$13,680	$6,850	$3,250
Platinum	MVP Health Care	$1,366	$16,387	$1,600	$500

* Rates shown are the provider's average at the given metal tier for 40-year-olds.

Compare Cheap Vermont Health Insurance Plans

Check the table below to discover the cheapest health insurance options in Vermont suited to your situation:

Data filtered by:


Blue Cross Blue Shield	BCBSVT Bronze Plan	$933	EPO	Bronze	$10,150	$6,450	40	No
Blue Cross Blue Shield	BCBSVT Vermont Preferred Bronze Plan	$951	EPO	Bronze	$9,950	$9,950	40	No
Blue Cross Blue Shield	BCBSVT Bronze Integrated Plan	$987	EPO	Bronze	$10,150	$10,150	40	No

The cheapest BCBS EPO Bronze plan at $933 monthly also carries the lowest deductible of the three options at $6,450. The two more expensive plans price at $951 and $987 monthly, yet both set their deductibles equal to their maximum out-of-pocket costs.

Paying more here doesn't buy a lower deductible. The $933 plan is cheaper and reaches its out-of-pocket cap more quickly than the plans above it on the list.

How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in Vermont

Use these five tips to identify affordable coverage that fits your health care requirements without straining your budget:

1
Choose a plan type within your budget
Vermont's individual marketplace has only two insurers: MVP Health Care and Blue Cross Blue Shield. MVP Health Care costs $1,464 less per year on average. But if your doctors don't accept its HMO network, those savings disappear against out-of-pocket costs for out-of-network care. Check your providers' network participation before choosing based on premium alone.
2
Check if you qualify for subsidies
Subsidies reduce monthly premiums through Vermont Health Connect for households earning between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. At MVP Health Care's $1,135 average monthly rate, a subsidy saves $2,400 annually. Enter your household income during enrollment to see your actual net premium.
3
Weigh Bronze Against Silver Before Defaulting to the Lowest Premium
MVP Health Care's Bronze plans average $841 monthly for a 40-year-old, which is $272 less per month than its Silver plans. Bronze deductibles average $7,960 vs. $3,050 for Silver. If you use medical services more than twice a year, the Silver tier's lower deductible often costs less in total annual spending.

If you're 65 or older or meet income requirements, government programs cost less than marketplace plans. Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans are worth checking before you enroll in a Vermont Health Connect plan.
4
Verify prescription coverage
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.
5
Shop during Open Enrollment period
Vermont's Open Enrollment runs November 1 through January 15. Missing it means waiting until the next cycle unless you have a qualifying life event such as job loss or a change in family status. Coverage selected by December 15 starts January 1. Plans selected between December 16 and January 15 start February 1. Enrolling a month earlier means one additional month of coverage worth $1,135 at MVP Health Care's average Silver rate.
6
Review network providers carefully
Confirm that your preferred doctors and specialists accept the plan and that your hospitals are in network. Out-of-network care can result in much higher costs or no coverage at all. Contact providers directly or check the insurer's online directory to verify current participation before enrolling in any Vermont health plan.

Cheapest Health Insurance in Vermont: Bottom Line

MVP Health Care is the right choice for most Vermont shoppers. It costs $122 less per month than Blue Cross Blue Shield on average and wins every demographic category in MoneyGeek's rate data.

Choose Blue Cross Blue Shield only if EPO structure is a hard requirement for your situation. Compare both carriers across the metal tier that fits your budget before enrolling through Vermont Health Connect.

Cheap Vermont Health Insurance: FAQ

Below we address frequently asked questions about affordable health insurance in Vermont:

What is the cheapest health insurance in Vermont?

MVP Health Care offers Vermont's most affordable health insurance, with Silver plans averaging $1,113 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 Vermont?

Subsidies reduce monthly premiums through Vermont Health Connect, Vermont's health insurance marketplace. Enter your household income during enrollment to check eligibility.

When can I enroll in health insurance in Vermont?

Vermont's Open Enrollment period runs November 1 through January 15 for coverage starting the following year. You can also enroll outside this window if you experience a qualifying life event like job loss, marriage or having a baby, which triggers a Special Enrollment period.

What is the difference between HMO and EPO plans in Vermont?

MVP Health Care's HMO plans require referrals and in-network care at $1,113 monthly on Silver. Blue Cross Blue Shield's EPO plans cost $191 more at $1,304 monthly on Silver and skip referrals. Choose HMO to pay less. Choose EPO if you see specialists without referrals.

Is a Bronze or Silver plan cheaper in Vermont?

Bronze plans have lower monthly premiums but higher costs when you use care. MVP Health Care's Bronze plans average $841 monthly for a 40-year-old versus $1,113 for Silver, a $272 monthly difference.

Bronze deductibles average $7,960 compared to $3,050 for Silver. If you expect more than two medical visits per year or take regular prescriptions, Silver's lower deductible often costs less in total annual spending despite the higher monthly premium.

How We Decided the Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in Vermont

We analyzed rate data from Vermont Health Connect across five age profiles to identify the lowest-premium carrier for each demographic.

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 Vermont'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 $3,050 to $7,960 deductibles and $9,075 to $9,330 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.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he has produced original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek so people can make coverage decisions with confidence. His insurance insights have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other media outlets.

Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.

Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). He began his career in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

Read Full Bio »