Cheapest Wisconsin Health Insurance (2023 Plans)

There are a number of other metal tiers available to Wisconsin citizens, each with its own set of deductibles, premiums and maximum out-of-pocket costs. Several other Wisconsin providers offer low-cost medical coverage, including Dean Health Plan for Bronze, Expanded Bronze and Gold plans and Group Health Cooperative-SCW for Platinum plans.

MoneyGeek also found the best health insurance in Wisconsin by analyzing providers and plans balance cost and service.

At $365 per month, Security Health Plan's Enrich $5,500 - 30% Copay plan is the cheapest Silver-tier plan for the typical Wisconsin resident.

Health insurance premiums are categorized into metal tiers. A more expensive plan usually provides more comprehensive coverage. These are the cheapest plans for the respective metal tiers:

• Catastrophic: Enrich Protection from Security Health Plan ($221 per month)
• Bronze: Dean Focus Network Bronze Standard 9100X from Dean Health Plan ($263 per month)
• Expanded Bronze: Dean Focus Network Bronze Copay PCP 8000X from Dean Health Plan ($285 per month)
• Silver: Enrich $5,500 - 30% Copay from Security Health Plan ($365 per month)
• Gold: Dean Focus Network Gold HSA HDHP 2000X from Dean Health Plan ($403 per month)
• Platinum: Select Platinum 1000 Ded/4000 MOOP Primary Care Preferred from Group Health Cooperative-SCW ($483 per month)

In general, the cheapest health insurance plans cover only the most basic medical needs, whereas more expensive policies (like Gold or Platinum plans) cover a wider range of medical needs and have lower maximum out-of-pocket costs.

Security Health Plan offers the cheapest Silver plan in Wisconsin. The average monthly cost of an Enrich $5,500 - 30% Copay plan is $365. The top three cheapest Silver plans in Wisconsin are:

• Enrich $5,500 - 30% Copay from Security Health Plan: $365 per month
• Enrich $5,000 - 20% HDHP from Security Health Plan: $380 per month
• Enrich $3,500 - 30% from Security Health Plan: $384 per month

Health insurance plans in the Silver tier are popular because they provide more protection than Bronze plans and have lower deductibles. You may also qualify for cost-sharing reductions.

In Wisconsin, an HMO is the most accessible plan type for residents, though it's not necessarily the cheapest. MoneyGeek's recommendations in this section are HMO plans.

The Dean Focus Network Gold HSA HDHP 2000X (Free Transportation) plan from Dean Health Plan is the cheapest Gold plan in Wisconsin at $403 per month. The three cheapest plans include:

• Dean Focus Network Gold HSA HDHP 2000X (Free Transportation) from Dean Health Plan: $403 per month
• MercyCare HMO Gold Standard from MercyCare Health Plans: $404 per month
• Select Gold 4450 Ded/7450 MOOP Primary Care Preferred from Group Health Cooperative-SCW: $411 per month

Insurance deductibles for Gold plans are typically lower than those for less expensive options. If you need medical care frequently, you may want to consider upgrading to a Gold plan, which offers more comprehensive protection.

Dean Focus Network Bronze Standard 9100X (Free Virtual Visits & Transportation) is the lowest-priced Bronze plan available in Wisconsin, with monthly premiums of around $263. The most affordable options include:

• Dean Focus Network Bronze Standard 9100X (Free Virtual Visits & Transportation) from Dean Health Plan: $263 per month
• Dean Focus Network Bronze Value Copay 9050X (Free Virtual Visits & Transportation) from Dean Health Plan: $284 per month
• Dean Bronze Standard 9100X (Free Virtual Visits & Transportation) from Dean Health Plan: $301 per month

Bronze plans feature the lowest premiums per month but the highest deductibles, so you may end up paying more out of pocket for routine care.

Wisconsin's most affordable Expanded Bronze plan is the Dean Focus Network Bronze Copay PCP 8000X (Free Virtual Visits & Transportation) from Dean Health Plan for roughly $285 per month. In this tier, the three most affordable health insurance plans in Wisconsin are as follows:

• Dean Focus Network Bronze Copay PCP 8000X (Free Virtual Visits & Transportation) from Dean Health Plan: $285 per month
• Dean Focus Network Bronze Standard 7500X (Free Virtual Visits & Transportation) from Dean Health Plan: $294 per month
• Dean Focus Network Bronze Copay Plus 9050X (Free Virtual Visits & Transportation) from Dean Health Plan: $297 per month

Before the deductible is reached, most Expanded Bronze plans pay the full cost of doctor's visits and one major service. However, a copayment or co-insurance can be necessary.

In Wisconsin, the least expensive Catastrophic plan is Security Health Plan's Enrich Protection policy, which comes in at roughly $177 per month for a 26-year-old. In this tier, the three most affordable options are as follows:

• Enrich Protection from Security Health Plan: $177 per month
• Dean Focus Network Catastrophic Safety Net (Free Transportation) from Dean Health Plan: $183 per month
• Essentia Choice Care with Medica Catastrophic ($0 Virtual Care with Designated Providers) from Medica: $195 per month

Insurance policies for catastrophic events typically have the lowest rates but the highest deductibles. You will be responsible for paying for your own routine medical costs out of pocket.

At $483 per month, the Select Platinum 1000 Ded/4000 MOOP Primary Care Preferred plan from Group Health Cooperative-SCW is Wisconsin's cheapest Platinum option. These three plans are the most affordable options available:

• Select Platinum 1000 Ded/4000 MOOP Primary Care Preferred from Group Health Cooperative-SCW: $483 per month
• Select Platinum No Ded/2200 MOOP from Group Health Cooperative-SCW: $512 per month
• Select Platinum 500 Ded/1500 MOOP from Group Health Cooperative-SCW: $513 per month

Premiums are typically the highest for Platinum plans, but members have the fewest out-of-pocket expenses. People who anticipate significant medical treatment can benefit greatly from choosing this tier.

State subsidies help Wisconsinites with earnings at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) pay for health care.

According to MoneyGeek’s research, the most affordable health insurance plan in Wisconsin for low-income residents is Dean Health Plan's Dean Focus Network Silver Copay PCP 4500X (Free Virtual Visits & Transportation) plan, with maximum out-of-pocket costs that vary as follows:

• Income lower than $20,385 per year (less than 150% of FPL): Dean Health Plan - Dean Focus Network Silver Copay PCP 4500X (Free Virtual Visits & Transportation) ($900 MOOP)
• Income from $28,386 to $27,180 per year (151% to 200% of FPL): Dean Health Plan - Dean Focus Network Silver Copay PCP 4500X (Free Virtual Visits & Transportation) ($3,000 MOOP)
• Income from $27,181 to $47,565 per year (201% to 250% of FPL): Dean Health Plan - Dean Focus Network Silver Copay PCP 4500X (Free Virtual Visits & Transportation) ($5,600 MOOP)

Silver plans in Wisconsin are the only ones eligible for cost-sharing reductions. It's important to keep in mind that having more than one person in your household could affect these values.

In Wisconsin, HMOs are the most common type of health insurance. Plan types like Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) and Point of Service (POS) are also available.

The most affordable EPO, PPO and POS plans in Wisconsin are as follows:

• EPO: CGHC EPO Silver $6000 Deductible/20% - Envision Network from Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative ($387 per month)
• PPO: Robin Select $3,500 HSA Silver from HealthPartners ($464 per month)
• POS: Premier POS $5,500 - 30% Copay from Security Health Plan ($607 per month)

PPO and EPO plans, unlike HMO and POS plans, allow you to see specialists without a referral if you're willing to pay higher premiums.

Plan availability may be limited in different counties. So, the cheapest plan in one county might not always be the cheapest one in another.

Take a look at this comparison between the lowest-cost Silver option in Wisconsin's largest county, Milwaukee, with those in the state's smallest county, Menominee:

• Milwaukee County: Anthem Silver Pathway/Lean 5800/40% Standard from Anthem (BCBS): $395 per month
• Menominee County: SimplyOne $5,500 - 30% Copay from Security Health Plan: $456 per month

Below is a table detailing the Silver plans that are available in your county.

Individuals' health care rates may vary depending on their policy's metal tier and their age. In this example, we examine the average rate by metal tier for the typical Wisconsinite's monthly premium at age 40:

• Catastrophic: $886
• Bronze: $1,343
• Expanded Bronze: $1,886
• Silver: $2,234
• Gold: $2,539
• Platinum: $2,385

Policy costs typically increase as policyholders get older. For example, the average monthly cost of a Silver plan in Wisconsin is $1,790 for a 26-year-old and $4,743 for a 60-year-old.

MoneyGeek found the cheapest health insurance in Wisconsin by using data from private health insurance plans. During the open enrollment period, consumers have the opportunity to research and buy the health plan that best suits their needs.

Medicaid and Medicare are also an option for Wisconsin residents if they qualify for federal aid. Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income Americans, while Medicare is for seniors and those with disabilities.

Open enrollment for private health insurance normally takes place between November 1 and January 15. The Health Insurance Marketplace will be open for enrollment throughout this time.

Note that if you want your insurance to start on January 1, the deadline to sign up is December 15. If you enroll early, you'll have more time to make adjustments to your plan before the enrollment period ends.

Health insurance can be purchased at a variety of tiers in Wisconsin, including Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Less expensive metals have lower monthly premiums and greater deductibles.

• Bronze: These plans have cheaper premiums per month but higher out-of-pocket expenses. They are good for those who are typically healthy and anticipate making few visits to their primary care physician and specialists.
• Expanded Bronze: These plans are slightly more expensive than Bronze plans but cover the cost of at least one major medical service before you meet your deductible.
• Silver: Silver plans strike a balance between affordability and coverage. Cost-sharing subsidies may reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, such as your copayments, co-insurance and deductibles, if you qualify.
• Gold: These have higher monthly premiums than Silver and Bronze options but lower copayments and deductibles for those who need more frequent visits.
• Platinum: These have the highest monthly premiums but the most comprehensive coverage. People who need medical attention frequently may consider these plans.

Catastrophic insurance is available to those who qualify (those under 30 or with a hardship exemption). Despite having the lowest premiums, these plans frequently have high out-of-pocket costs.

Medicaid is a federal program that provides medical care at no cost or a greatly reduced cost to those who qualify based on their income level.

Women who are expecting a child, low-income children, seniors and disabled individuals may qualify for Medicaid in Wisconsin.

Medicare, like Medicaid, is a government health care program that is much more cost effective than private insurance.

If you are a citizen or permanent resident of the United States and have been here for at least five years, you are eligible for Medicare in Wisconsin after you reach age 65. MoneyGeek reviewed the best Medicare Advantage plans in Wisconsin to help you find the best plan for your needs.

If you are under the age of 65, you may still qualify if you have received Social Security benefits for the last 24 months or if you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a kidney transplant or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Health insurance rates and availability in Wisconsin may be affected by a number of factors. Read on for MoneyGeek's most frequently asked questions and answers.