Most Affordable Health Insurance Providers (2025)

When buying affordable health insurance, you face a key trade-off: low out-of-pocket maximums or low premiums. Knowing this helps you to choose the right balance for your situation, unless you qualify for low-income health plans, which can offer both.

If you’re healthy and don’t anticipate a lot of care, a plan belonging to a lower metal tier (such as Catastrophic or Bronze) may be the cheapest option. But if you expect to need much care, consider purchasing a plan with higher premiums but low maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs.

MoneyGeek found the cheapest health insurance companies based on metal tiers, location, and other factors. For our top picks, we defined “cheapest” by monthly premiums unless otherwise stated.

MoneyGeek analyzed providers offering plans on the federal marketplace, which houses most state-specific health insurance platforms. Of the companies MoneyGeek surveyed across the U.S., here are the most affordable health insurance companies by plan type:

Low-income health insurance plans help people with limited earnings afford medical coverage. If your income falls below a certain level, you might qualify for Medicaid, which provides free or very low-cost coverage.

If you earn between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, you can get subsidized marketplace plans where the government helps pay your premium. Silver-tier plans are especially valuable for low-income earners since they unlock cost-sharing reductions that lower your deductibles and co-pays.

HSA-eligible health insurance plans are high-deductible plans that let you pair coverage with a Health Savings Account. You pay lower monthly premiums in exchange for a higher deductible, and you can save pre-tax money in an HSA to cover medical expenses. The money grows tax-free and comes out tax-free for qualified medical costs. These plans work best if you're healthy and want to build tax-advantaged savings.

We found the cheapest health insurance companies across all metal levels. Note that the cheapest is based on the average across metal levels of companies available in at least six states.

The premiums shown here represent the average cost for a plan paid per month across all plan types. Your actual rate may vary depending on your income, plan type, metal tier, and location.

The costs and coverage of health insurance vary greatly between states and by income. This table shows the cheapest health insurance plans for each state at a bronze metal level and age 40. Your actual costs will vary based on your location, plan type, metal level, and age:

Health insurance costs vary not only by state but also by city. More specifically, health insurance options and costs vary by rating areas within the state. This table shows the cheapest health insurance companies in major U.S. cities for people 40 years old seeking bronze or expanded bronze metal levels. Your actual costs will vary based on your location, plan type, metal level, and age:

Wondering why your quote is so different from your friend's? Health insurance costs vary widely based on personal factors like your age and location, plus the coverage you choose. Knowing what insurers look at helps you find ways to lower your premiums.

• Age: Older adults may pay two to three times more than younger people, since they generally need more medical care. Premiums increase gradually as you age, with the steepest jumps occurring after 50. However, Hawaii and Massachusetts prohibit or limit age-based pricing, resulting in more uniform rates across age groups.
• Location: Healthcare costs and state regulations vary significantly across the country, affecting your premiums. Urban areas with more providers may offer different rates than rural regions with limited competition.
• Plan Type and Metal Tier: Higher metal tiers like gold and platinum charge more each month but cost less when you need care. PPO plans cost more than HMO plans due to greater provider flexibility.
• Network Size: Plans with broader provider networks charge higher premiums for the added flexibility. Narrow networks keep costs down by limiting your choice of doctors and hospitals.
• Tobacco Use: Smoking increases your premiums by up to 50% in most states, reflecting the higher health risks smokers face. Some insurers offer discounts if you complete smoking cessation programs, and some states restrict tobacco surcharges differently.
• Family Size: Covering a spouse and children costs more than individual coverage, though family plans provide better value than separate policies. Each additional family member increases your premium.
• Income Level: Your earnings determine eligibility for subsidies and tax credits that can dramatically reduce your monthly costs. If you earn between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, you might qualify for premium assistance. Note that California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan prohibit using credit as a rating factor.
• Deductible Amount: Plans with higher deductibles charge lower premiums but require you to pay more before coverage kicks in. Consider your typical healthcare usage when choosing between low premiums and low deductibles.

Finding affordable health insurance takes some strategy, but following these steps helps you identify the best coverage for your budget. Start by exploring all your options, then compare costs beyond just the monthly premium.
Check if you qualify for employer coverage: Workplace health insurance is usually the most affordable option since employers cover a large portion of premiums. Even if you have to pay the full cost, group rates through an employer beat individual marketplace prices.

1. Stay on a parent's plan if you're under 26: Young adults can remain on their parent's health insurance until age 26, regardless of whether you live with them, are married or financially independent. This costs less than buying your own policy.
2. Explore your spouse's coverage options: Compare the cost of joining your spouse's employer health insurance plan versus keeping separate policies. Family plans provide better value than two individual policies, especially if one employer offers stronger subsidies.
3. Determine if you qualify for Medicaid or subsidies: Visit HealthCare.gov to see if your income qualifies you for Medicaid or premium tax credits. If you earn between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, subsidies can dramatically reduce your monthly costs.
4. Compare metal tiers based on your healthcare usage: Bronze plans offer the lowest premiums but highest out-of-pocket costs when you need care. If you qualify for cost-sharing reductions, Silver plans become more valuable since those subsidies only apply to that tier.
5. Choose between HMO and PPO networks: HMO plans are cheaper than PPOs, but they require you to stay in-network and get referrals for specialists. If you rarely see doctors, the savings might outweigh the restrictions.
6. Consider high-deductible plans with HSAs: If you're healthy and can afford higher upfront costs, pairing a high-deductible health plan with a Health Savings Account lets you save pre-tax money while paying lower monthly premiums.
7. Shop during open enrollment: Marketplace plans are only available during open enrollment (November 1 to January 15 in most states) unless you qualify for a special enrollment period due to major life changes like marriage, job loss or moving.

Compare multiple health insurance plans before deciding. What looks cheap upfront might cost more when you factor in deductibles, co-pays and coverage limitations for the care you actually need.

If you don’t qualify for low-cost plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace, consider these cheap alternatives:

Medicaid provides low- to no-cost health insurance to qualified people. Medicaid eligibility is based on income and family size, which vary across states. In addition to people with limited income or resources, people who are pregnant or have a disability may also be eligible for this government-funded health insurance program.

Medicare is another government-funded health program that subsidizes medical expenses for certain people. You may qualify for Medicare if you’re 65 and older or have a disability.

You can get Medicare hospital and prescription coverage through Original Medicare with Medicare Supplement plans or Medicare Advantage. For help finding the right plan, explore our guide to the best Medicare Advantage plans.

Short-term health insurance bridges temporary gaps in your medical coverage. Because it isn’t Affordable Care Act-compliant, these plans don’t include essential health benefits or cover pre-existing conditions. They’re not recommended for those with extensive health needs or those who need care for more than a few months.

Discover the best short-term health insurance companies in our comprehensive guide.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) may save uninsured people or those with little to no income from visiting ERs and other expensive forms of health care. FQHCs provide preventative services on a sliding fee scale based on your ability to pay, which saves you money.

When looking for health insurance, it’s common to have questions about finding low-cost options. If so, you may benefit from answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about affordable health insurance.

MoneyGeek accessed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) public use files, which includes data from the 34 states that use the federal marketplace, Healthcare.gov.

MoneyGeek gathered data on all available health plans for consumers aged 18, 26, 40, 50, and 60. Monthly premiums are based on a 40-year-old buyer unless otherwise noted. Plans analyzed in each section include the relevant cited metal tiers, which include Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The four plan types (EPO, POS, PPO, HMO) were also taken into account. To be considered for the companies listed, the company must be available in at least six states.

This analysis defines the cheapest as those plans which have the lowest monthly premium. However, plans with cheaper premiums often have higher deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) expenses, potentially resulting in higher costs overall if you need medical services. Those with incomes below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level can reduce their deductibles and MOOP by qualifying for cost-sharing reductions.