Best Health Insurance for Kids (2026)

Updated: April 25, 2026

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Key Takeaways
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Anthem offers the best health insurance for kids with premiums starting at $311 a month.

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Ambetter's $5,467 out-of-pocket maximum offers the strongest financial protection for children.

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Child-only health plans average $409 a month for an HMO and $475 for a PPO.

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Medicaid and CHIP provide free or low-cost coverage for children whose families meet state income requirements.

Which Health Insurance Companies Are Best for Children in 2026?

Anthem ranks as the best health insurance for kids on the Marketplace, with average monthly premiums of $311 and broad pediatric preventive coverage built into every plan. Kaiser Permanente is the closest alternative at $319 a month, with the lowest deductible among top-ranked insurers at $3,100. Families who may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP should check eligibility at HealthCare.gov before comparing Marketplace plans, since those programs usually cost less than any private option. 

Look beyond price to see which plan includes strong pediatric networks and affordable prescriptions because the best health insurance for children has to balance your budget with everyday care like checkups, vaccines and sick visits.

Low Premiums
Anthem
$311
$7,248
$4,241
Low MOOP
Ambetter
$381
$5,467
$3,302
Low Deductible
Kaiser Permanente
$319
$5,657
$3,100

Rates shown are average Marketplace premiums for children ages 0 to 14 in 2026. Actual costs vary by age, state, plan selection and subsidy eligibility. Plans cover children ages 0 to 18 or 19 depending on the insurer.

Best Affordable Child Health Insurance

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

MoneyGeek Rating
4.8/ 5
4.6/5Affordability
5/5Customer Experience
5/5Denial Rate

  • Monthly Cost

    $311

  • Out-of-Pocket Maximum

    $7,248

  • Deductible

    $4,241

Best Child Health Insurance with Low MOOP

Ambetter

Ambetter

MoneyGeek Rating
4.8/ 5
4.7/5Affordability
5/5Customer Experience
5/5Denial Rate

  • Out-of-Pocket Maximum

    $5,467

  • Monthly Cost

    $381

  • Deductible

    $3,302

Best Kids Health Insurance With Low Deductible

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente

MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ 5
4.5/5Affordability
5/5Customer Experience
5/5Denial Rate

  • Monthly Cost

    $319

  • Out-of-Pocket Maximum

    $5,657

  • Deductible

    $3,100

Best Health Insurance for Children by Plan Type & Metal Level

HMO plans are the most affordable for child-only coverage, averaging $409 a month nationally, while PPO plans cost about $66 more per month for greater specialist flexibility without referrals. Metal tier affects how costs split between you and the insurer: lower-tier Bronze plans carry higher per-visit costs that add up quickly for children who need frequent care, while higher-tier Gold plans cost more monthly but reduce what your child pays at each appointment.

Data filtered by:
EPO
Bronze
Yes
Blue Cross Blue Shield$377$7,847$7,097
Cigna Healthcare$349$7,613$5,625

Best Health Insurance for Kids by State

State availability determines which insurers a family can access and a plan ranked highly nationally may not offer child-only policies in every state. CHIP and Medicaid income thresholds also vary by state, so the most cost-effective path for your family depends on where you live.

Data filtered by:
Alabama
EPO
Bronze
Yes
UnitedHealthcare$222$7,950$7,950

How Much Is Health Insurance per Month for a Kid?

Child-only Marketplace plans are priced separately from adult plans under the ACA, which keeps premiums lower for children than for adults on the same coverage tier. An HMO for a child averages $409 a month nationally, while EPO plans average $430, POS plans $467 and PPO plans $475. Families who qualify for Medicaid or CHIP can often cover children at little or no cost, well below any of these Marketplace costs.

HMO$409$4,910
EPO$430$5,162
POS$467$5,606
PPO$475$5,696

How to Get Health Insurance for Your Child?

Parents can get health insurance for a child through Medicaid, CHIP, an ACA Marketplace plan or an employer plan. The right starting point depends on household income. Families who may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP should check eligibility first at HealthCare.gov, since those programs typically cost less than any private plan. Private Marketplace and employer options apply when public programs aren't available or income exceeds state thresholds.

Medicaid for children
Medicaid is often the first stop for children in families with limited income. Kids qualify at higher income levels than adults in many states, and coverage is free or very low cost. You apply through your state’s Medicaid agency or, in many states, by starting an application on HealthCare.gov and choosing the Medicaid option when it appears. If your child qualifies, the state sends you information on how to pick a plan and use benefits.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
If your income is too high for Medicaid but still feels tight, CHIP can fill that gap. It is designed specifically for kids and teens whose families do not qualify for Medicaid but cannot easily afford private coverage. You apply through your state’s Medicaid or CHIP office or by using the application path shown on InsureKidsNow.gov, which links directly to each state. Once approved, your child is enrolled in a CHIP plan run by the state or a partner insurer.
Health Insurance Marketplace plans
You can also buy coverage for your child through the Health Insurance Marketplace. At HealthCare.gov or your state Marketplace site, you create an account, list everyone in your household and see plan options that cover children. The same application checks if your child should be moved to Medicaid or CHIP instead, which keeps you from guessing. During Open Enrollment, or after a qualifying life event like a birth or loss of other coverage, you can choose a child-only plan or add them to a family plan.
Coverage through an employer
If you or your co-parent has job-based insurance, adding a child through that plan is often one of the smoothest routes. You usually complete a benefits form through your employer’s HR or online portal and provide basic details like your child’s name, date of birth and Social Security number if available. Many plans give you a short window after a birth, adoption or loss of other coverage to add a child, so it helps to let HR know as soon as your situation changes.
Buying a child-only plan directly from an insurer
Some families prefer to go straight to an insurance company or a licensed broker to buy a child-only policy outside the Marketplace. This can make sense if you want plans from a company that is not listed on your state Marketplace or you already work with a trusted agent. The insurer will walk you through an application that looks similar to what you would complete on the Marketplace, but you will not get Marketplace-based premium tax credits on these plans.
Short-term health plans for children
Short-term health insurance is sometimes offered to cover children for a brief gap, for example between moves or while waiting for other coverage to begin. Federal rules treat these as limited, non–ACA-compliant plans, which means they do not have to follow the same benefit and consumer protection standards as Marketplace, Medicaid or CHIP coverage. Families should look closely at what these plans leave out before using them and view them as a temporary fallback, not a main source of long-term coverage.

How Do You Choose the Right Health Insurance Plan for Your Child?

Finding the best health insurance for your child starts with one question: what do they actually need over the next year. Once you’re clear on their doctors, medicines and likely visits, it’s much easier to tell which plans truly support your family and which just look cheap on the surface. 

As you compare options on HealthCare.gov, your state Marketplace, Medicaid or CHIP, keep in mind that rules and eligibility vary by state, and speaking with a licensed insurance professional can help you understand what fits your situation best.

  1. 1
    Start with the benefits your child will use

    Look for strong coverage of well-child visits, vaccines, sick visits, urgent care, mental health services and, if needed, therapies or specialist care. Medicaid and CHIP plans for kids are required to cover a broad set of preventive and treatment services, including dental and vision in most states.

  2. 2
    Get a clear picture of what you'll spend across the whole year

    Instead of zeroing in on the premium, take a step back and look at what the plan could cost you over twelve months. A plan that looks cheap each month can add up quickly if every visit or prescription comes with a high bill. It’s smarter to look at your family’s likely medical use for the year and compare plans based on the whole financial picture and not just the price on the front.

  3. 3
    Make sure your child’s doctors and hospital are in network

    Check whether your child’s pediatrician, specialists and nearby children’s hospital take the plan. Using in-network care usually means much lower bills. Think about office location, hours and how comfortable you and your child feel with the provider.

  4. 4
    Check prescription and equipment coverage

    If your child takes regular medicine, uses an inhaler, insulin, an EpiPen or medical equipment, search the plan’s drug list. Confirm the medication is covered and note the copay tier. If your child has allergies, asthma, diabetes or another ongoing condition, this step can make a big difference in real costs.

  5. 5
    Match the plan type to how your family uses care

    Think about how often your child sees doctors and how far you’re willing to travel. A more limited network might work if most of your child’s care happens in one clinic. If you split time between homes or cities, a broader network could be worth paying more for.

  6. 6
    Look at out-of-area and emergency care

    If your child spends part of the year in another state for school, with relatives or on long visits, see how the plan handles urgent or emergency care away from home, and whether telehealth visits with their usual doctor are covered.

  7. 7
    Review plan quality ratings if they’re available

    On federal and state Marketplaces you’ll see star ratings for member experience, clinical quality and customer service. When plans have similar prices and networks, these ratings can help you pick the option that treats families better when something goes wrong.

  8. 8
    Consider your child’s next 12 months, not just today

    Think about upcoming milestones: sports seasons, mental health support, planned surgeries, braces or evaluations for learning or developmental needs. A plan with a slightly higher premium but better specialist and mental health coverage may protect your child more effectively over the full year.

Health Insurance for Kids: Bottom Line

Choosing the best health insurance for children means balancing monthly costs with financial protection. Anthem's $311 premiums work well for budget-conscious families, while Ambetter's lower out-of-pocket limits protect against unexpected bills. Child-only plans cost $409 to $475 monthly. Start your search through HealthCare.gov, Medicaid, CHIP or employer coverage.

Best Health Insurance for Children: FAQ

We've answered the most frequently asked questions about health insurance for kids below, covering CHIP eligibility, plan types, child-only coverage and how to choose between public and private options:

Does my child need health insurance?

Which insurance is best for a child?

Can I buy health insurance for my child only?

What is the most affordable health insurance for kids?

Does my child qualify for CHIP?

What type of insurance is best for kids?

What insurance should I get for my child?

How We Ranked the Best Health Insurance Companies for Children

Finding health insurance for children means balancing family budgets with comprehensive medical care that supports healthy development. Kids need regular checkups, vaccinations and unexpected injury coverage, but costs can strain household finances when you're covering multiple family members. We designed our analysis to identify which insurers provide the best financial protection for parents seeking quality children's health coverage.   

We compared health insurance companies using three factors weighted by importance to families with children:   

Affordability score (50%): Health care costs impact your family budget significantly when covering children's routine and emergency care. We evaluate three cost factors that roll up into your overall affordability score:   

  • Monthly premium: The provider with the lowest average monthly cost scores highest since keeping premiums low matters most when covering multiple family members.
  • Deductible: The amount you pay before insurance covers costs. Lower deductibles score highest since children's unexpected injuries and illnesses can create immediate medical bills.
  • Maximum out-of-pocket: The MOOP caps what you'll pay annually beyond premiums. Lower MOOPs score better since a single hospitalization can devastate your family's finances.

Quality score (40%): We evaluated plan performance using child-specific metrics to ensure kids get appropriate medical care. The Quality Rating System provides a 5-star rating measuring medical care, member experience and plan administration. Child and Adolescent Well-Care Visits Score reflects how consistently plans ensure young members receive preventive checkups and health screenings. Childhood Immunization Status Score indicates how effectively plans promote complete early childhood immunization. Providers with higher scores rank better. 

Denial rate score (10%): Fewer denials mean less hassle getting your child's coverage approved when they need care. Insurers with lower denial rates score highest.   

How We Score Different Plan Types and Metal Tiers 

We normalized scores within each category for fair comparisons. The top insurer in each group receives a 5 out of 5, with others scored proportionally.   

We used Silver HMO plans to identify our best for low premiums, best for medical care and best for low MOOP. However, each plan type (HMO, PPO, EPO and POS) and metal tier (Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum) is scored independently.   

Sample Consumer 

MoneyGeek collected data on all available health plans for consumers ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Monthly premiums are based on 0-14 years for parents looking for children's coverage since this represents the core pediatric age range, though health plans are available for 0-18 or 19 years of age so actual costs may vary. We analyzed costs using data from federal and state marketplaces and downloaded plan data directly from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Plan data was updated with the CMS exchange data released in November for the 2026 enrollment period.

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About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

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.) and began his career in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

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