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 plans are high-deductible health plans you can pair with a Health Savings Account. You trade a lower monthly premium for a higher deductible, then use pre-tax HSA dollars to cover medical costs. That money grows tax-free and stays tax-free when spent on qualified expenses. If you're generally healthy and want to build tax-advantaged savings, these plans can stretch your health care dollars further.

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.

Your quote differs from your neighbor's because health insurance costs are calculated on a mix of personal factors and the coverage you select. Age, location, plan type and tobacco use all move the number.

• Age: Older adults can pay two to three times more than younger adults. Premiums climb as you age, with the steepest jumps after 50. Hawaii and Massachusetts limit age-based pricing, which creates more uniform rates in those states.
• Location: Healthcare costs and state regulations vary across the country, which shapes what you pay. Urban areas with more providers don't always mean lower rates; competition, local claims history and state rules all factor in.
• Plan Type and Metal Tier: PPO plans cost more than HMO plans because of greater provider flexibility. Higher metal tiers like Gold and Platinum charge more monthly but reduce your out-of-pocket costs when you need care.
• Network Size: Broader networks cost more. Narrow-network plans keep premiums down by limiting your choice of doctors and hospitals.
• Tobacco Use: Smokers pay up to 50% more in most states, reflecting higher actuarial risk. Some insurers discount that surcharge if you complete a cessation program, and a few states restrict how tobacco surcharges are applied.
• Family Size: Adding a spouse or children increases your premium, but family plans are cheaper than buying separate individual policies for each person.
• Income Level: Your earnings determine eligibility for subsidies and premium tax credits. Households earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level may qualify for premium assistance.
• Deductible Amount: Higher deductibles mean lower premiums but more out-of-pocket spending before coverage kicks in. Choose based on how often you use care, not just what's cheapest upfront.

These steps can help you lower your health insurance costs without sacrificing the coverage you need.

1. Stay on a parent's plan if you're under 26: Health insurance until age 26 through a parent's employer plan is often the cheapest option for young adults, since you're not paying the full premium.
2. Check your spouse's employer plan: Compare what you'd pay for your own policy against the cost of joining your spouse's employer health insurance. Employer-sponsored plans frequently cost less than individual coverage.
3. See if you qualify for Medicaid or subsidies: Visit HealthCare.gov to check eligibility for Medicaid or premium tax credits. Households earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level may qualify for premium assistance.
4. Match your metal tier to how often you use care: Bronze plans carry the lowest premiums but the highest out-of-pocket costs. Silver is worth it if your income qualifies you for cost-sharing reductions, which only apply to that tier.
5. Weigh HMO savings against flexibility: HMO plans cost less than PPOs, but you'll need to stay in-network and get referrals for specialist visits. If you rarely see specialists, the savings usually outweigh the restrictions.
6. Pair a high-deductible plan with an HSA: A high-deductible health plan comes with lower monthly premiums, and a Health Savings Account lets you set aside pre-tax dollars for medical costs. This works best if you're healthy and have enough savings to cover the deductible when needed.
7. Shop during open enrollment: Marketplace plans are available during open enrollment, which runs Nov. 1 through Jan. 15 in most states. Missing the window means waiting until the next cycle unless you qualify for a special enrollment period.

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.