Most Affordable Health Insurance Providers (2026)

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 vary by state. Read our state-specific guides to find the cheapest health insurance where you live.

Why does your quote differ so much from your friend's quote? Health insurance costs change widely based on personal factors like your age and location plus the coverage you choose. Understanding what insurers examine helps you find ways to lower your premiums.

• Age: Older adults can pay two to three times more than younger people because they need more medical care. Premiums climb gradually as you age. The steepest jumps happen after 50. Hawaii and Massachusetts prohibit or limit age-based pricing. This creates more uniform rates across age groups.
• Location: Healthcare costs and state regulations change significantly across the country. This shapes your premiums. Urban areas with more providers can have different rates than rural regions with limited competition.
• Plan Type and Metal Tier: Higher metal tiers like gold and platinum charge more monthly but cost less when you need care. PPO plans cost more than HMO plans because they have 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. This reflects the higher health risks smokers face. Some insurers discount your premium if you complete smoking cessation programs. Some states restrict tobacco surcharges differently.
• Family Size: Covering a spouse and children costs more than individual coverage. 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. These can dramatically reduce your monthly costs. Earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level might qualify you for premium assistance. 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 starts. Consider your typical healthcare usage when choosing between low premiums and low deductibles.

 Following these steps helps you identify the best coverage for your budget

1. Stay on a parent's plan if you're under 26: Stay on your parent's health insurance until age 26, as this costs less.
2. Explore your spouse's coverage options: Compare the cost of having your own policy versus joining your spouse's employer health insurance plan.
3. Determine if you qualify for Medicaid or subsidies: Visit HealthCare.gov to see if you qualify for Medicaid or premium tax credits.
4. Compare metal tiers based on your health care usage: Bronze plans have the lowest premiums but highest out-of-pocket costs when you get care. Silver plans are better if you qualify for cost-sharing reductions.
5. Choose between HMO and PPO networks: HMO plans are cheaper but you have to stay in-network and get referrals for specialists.  
6. Consider high-deductible plans with HSAs: Combining a high-deductible health plan with a Health Savings Account lets you save pre-tax money while paying less each month. This is a good choice if you are healthy and can afford to pay up front.
7. Shop during open enrollment: You can look for Marketplace plans during open enrollment (Nov. 1 to Jan. 15 in most states)

Look at multiple health insurance plans before deciding.

If you don't qualify for low-cost plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace, these alternatives may help:

• Medicaid for Low- to No-Cost Health Insurance: Medicaid provides low- to no-cost health insurance to people who qualify based on income and family size, which vary by state. People who are pregnant or have a disability may also be eligible, even if their income isn't limited.
• Medicare Health Insurance for People 65 and Older:  Medicare is a government-funded health program that covers medical expenses for people 65 and older or those with a disability. You can get hospital and prescription coverage through Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement plans or Medicare Advantage. Look at our guide to the best Medicare Advantage plans.
• Short-Term Health Insurance: This type of insurance covers temporary gaps in medical coverage. Because these plans aren't Affordable Care Act-compliant, they don't include essential health benefits or cover pre-existing conditions. They work best for people who need coverage for a few months and have minimal health needs. Use our best short-term health insurance companies guide to find a provider.
• Community Health Centers: Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) may save people from visiting ERs. FQHCs provide preventative services where you pay what you can.

Find answers to 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. We also manually collected health insurance quotes from individual state marketplaces for the remaining U.S. states that are not in the federal marketplace.

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.