Best Cheap Health Insurance in Virginia in 2025
Kaiser Permanente has the best health insurance in Virginia. A Silver plan costs as little as $424 per month before discounts.
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Best and cheapest health insurance in Virginia
Cheapest health insurance companies in Virginia
Sentara Health Plans has the cheapest health insurance in Virginia. Silver plans start at $353 per month.
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Affordable health insurance in Virginia
Company |
Cost
| |
|---|---|---|
| Sentara Health Plans | $353-$398 | |
| Innovation Health | $387-$443 | |
| Anthem HealthKeepers | $391-$455 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $409-$490 |
- Sentara sells the cheapest health insurance throughout Virginia, including in the major cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk and Richmond.
- The cheapest health insurance isn't always the best. Kaiser Permanente has higher rates than many companies, but it has some of the best coverage and service.
- Anthem HealthKeepers is the most popular company in Virginia. Almost half of all health plans in Virginia are from Anthem.
Best health insurance companies in Virginia
Kaiser Permanente sells the best health insurance in Virginia.
Kaiser consistently has excellent customer service and coverage options. Kaiser Permanente also runs its own medical offices and hospitals, which can make getting medical care faster and easier.
Best-rated health insurance companies in Virginia
Company |
Editor rating
|
ACA rating
|
|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente | 5.0 | |
| Sentara Health Plans | 4.0 | |
| Aetna | 3.0 | |
| Anthem HealthKeepers | 3.0 | |
| Innovation Health | 3.0 |
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Most popular health insurance in Virginia: Anthem
Anthem HealthKeepers is the most popular health insurance company in Virginia, with nearly half of all health plans in the state.
Anthem is part of a company called Elevance and is a Blue Cross Blue Shield company. It's a great choice if you want the flexibility to go to different doctors since many medical offices and hospitals take Anthem coverage.
How much does health insurance cost in Virginia?
Health insurance in Virginia costs $421 per month, on average. But the average cost is just $75 per month if you get discounts based on your income.
- Silver plans are a good choice for most people because they give you good coverage at an affordable rate, and you might qualify for discounts that give you cheaper medical care.
- Consider a Gold plan if you make more than $37,650 per year as a single person or $78,000 per year as a family of four. Gold plans cost around the same as Silver plans in Virginia. And if you make too much to get the extra discount on medical care, a Gold plan is a better deal.
- Catastrophic plans, which require you to pay a very high amount for your medical care, are only available if you're younger than 30 or otherwise qualify for an exemption. Catastrophic plans cost an average of $209 per month for a 21-year-old.
- You'll pay more for health insurance as you get older since age makes you more likely to need medical care.
Get affordable health insurance in Virginia with subsidies
Virginia health insurance costs $75 per month, on average, if you qualify for discounts based on how much money you make each year.
About 87% of health insurance shoppers in Virginia qualify for discounts based on their income. Discounts on your monthly rate are called rate subsidies. In Virginia, about one-third of people who qualify for subsidies pay $10 or less each month for health insurance.
If you make between $15,606 and $60,240 per year as a single person or $31,200 and $124,800 per year as a family of four, you qualify for rate subsidies. But if you qualify for Medicaid, you can't get marketplace subsidies.
If you buy a Silver plan, you might also qualify for savings on your medical care bills with another discount called a cost-sharing reduction.
Cheap Virginia health insurance plans by city
Sentara sells the cheapest health insurance throughout Virginia.
That includes cities like Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk and Richmond. But just because a plan is cheap doesn't mean it's the best option for you. Think about your health needs alongside your monthly budget to choose the best plan.
Cheapest health insurance by VA county
County | Cheapest Silver plan | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Accomack | Sentara M Silver 6600 | $392 |
| Albemarle | Sentara M Silver 6600 | $392 |
| Alexandria City | Sentara M Silver 6600 | $353 |
| Alleghany | Sentara M Silver 6600 | $392 |
| Amelia | Sentara M Silver 6600 | $373 |
Cheapest Silver plan with rates for a 40-year-old
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Best health insurance by level of coverage
To find the best health insurance for you, try to match a plan with your health needs. For example, you might want to choose a Platinum or Gold plan if you think you'll have to go to the doctor often. If you are generally healthy and don't expect to go to the doctor, a Bronze plan might be fine.
If you aren't sure how much coverage you need, start by looking at Silver plans. These are good middle-ground options for most people. Comparing Silver plans might also help you decide if you need more or less coverage.
Platinum plans: Best for expensive medical care
| Platinum plans pay for about 90% of your medical care. |
Platinum is the highest-tier plan you can buy, which means it costs the most each month and also covers the highest amount of your medical care. Overall, these plans could save you money if you need expensive health care, and you'll generally pay less out of your own pocket for medical care.
Platinum plans cost an average of $534 per month in Virginia.
Gold plans: Best for frequent medical care
| Gold plans pay for about 80% of your medical care. |
Gold plans are a good option if you go to the doctor often or if you expect to need expensive care in the next year, like if you are having or plan to have a baby or need surgery. You'll pay a bit less per month than you will for a Platinum plan, but you'll still have a high level of coverage.
Gold plans cost about the same as Silver plans in Virginia. Gold plans are a good option unless you make less than $37,650 as a single person or $78,000 per year as a family of four. Then a Silver plan might be better because you qualify for an extra discount.
You'll pay an average of $421 per month for a Gold plan in Virginia.
Silver plans: Best for average medical needs and low incomes
| Silver plans pay for about 70% of your medical care. |
Silver plans are a good option for most people with average medical needs. In Virginia, they usually cost about the same as Gold plans, but you might be able to get special discounts that lower your medical bills, making them a better option.
Silver plans cost $421 per month, on average, in Virginia.
Bronze plans: Best for people who are healthy and have savings
| Bronze plans pay for about 60% of your medical care. |
Bronze plans have the lowest monthly rates, but you also have to pay more when you go to the doctor. That's because these plans usually have higher deductibles, coinsurance and copays, the costs that you pay before your insurance kicks in, compared to Gold and Silver plans.
If you are young or generally healthy and don't get medical care often, a Bronze plan can be a good choice. But make sure you have the savings in the bank to pay for a bigger portion of your medical bills. If something serious happens like a major illness, severe injury or expensive medical treatment, you could have to pay up to $9,200 for your medical care in a given year.
Bronze plans cost an average of $335 per month in Virginia.
Cheap or free health insurance in Virginia if you have a low income
If you can't afford to buy health insurance, or if you have health insurance but still struggle to pay for medical care, you have a few options.
Medicaid in Virginia
Medicaid is a government health insurance program for people with low incomes.
In Virginia, you have to make less than around $21,000 per year as a single person or $44,000 per year as a family of four to qualify for Medicaid.
If you're under age 19 or pregnant, you may be able to make more and still get Medicaid coverage. Medicaid can drastically lower or get rid of your medical costs.
Use cost-sharing reductions for cheaper medical care
If you buy a Silver plan, you might qualify for extra discounts that can lower your medical bills. These discounts are called Obamacare or Affordable Care Act (ACA) cost-sharing reductions, and they lower your copays, coinsurance and deductibles. You qualify if you make between $15,060 and $37,650 per year as an individual or $31,200 and $78,000 per year as a family of four.
Are health insurance rates going up in Virginia?
Health insurance is about 5% more expensive, on average, in Virginia for 2025 compared to 2024. Silver and Gold plans cost 3% more each month, while Bronze plans are 4% more expensive. Platinum plans saw the biggest increase, with rates going up 7% for 2025 versus 2024.
Tier | 2024 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $323 | $335 | 4% |
| Silver | $409 | $421 | 3% |
| Gold | $407 | $421 | 3% |
| Platinum | $497 | $534 | 7% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
You can buy a health insurance plan on the Virginia health insurance marketplace. Every plan has to cover at least 10 common health situations, called "minimum essential coverage."
- Doctor visits
- Preventive and wellness care
- Emergency care
- Hospital stays
- Prescription medications
- Lab services
- Pregnancy, maternity and newborn care
- Pediatric care
- Mental health and substance use care
- Rehab services
The difference between plans is how much of your medical bills they'll pay. Bronze plans pay the least, while Platinum plans pay the most. So if you go to the emergency room, you'll have coverage no matter what plan tier you buy. But you'll have to pay a higher bill with a Bronze plan.
COBRA insurance in Virginia
COBRA insurance costs an average of $711 per month for a single person in Virginia.
In contrast, a Silver plan from Virginia's marketplace costs $421 per month, on average.
The cost you pay for COBRA will depend on the plan you had with your job. If you leave or lose your job, you can keep your health insurance for up to 18 months through COBRA. But you have to pay full price for the plan, so it's expensive.
It's almost always cheaper to buy a plan from the marketplace, but COBRA might be a better choice if your plan has a specific type of coverage you need.
Short-term health insurance in Virginia
You may want to consider short-term health coverage if you only need a policy for a short period of time, like if you are between jobs or have just graduated and are looking for your first job. You have to buy short-term plans directly from health insurance companies.
Pros of short-term health insurance in Virginia
Cons of short-term health insurance in Virginia
Frequently asked questions
How do I get health insurance in Virginia?
You can buy an Obamacare health insurance plan in Virginia by going to Virginia's Insurance Marketplace, the state's new health insurance website. Health insurance plans for 2025 must be purchased through the new state marketplace. You won't be able to use HealthCare.gov.
How much is health insurance in Virginia?
A Silver health insurance plan costs an average of $421 per month in Virginia for a 40-year-old. Your rate will vary based on your age, your family size, where you live, whether you smoke or use tobacco, the plan tier you buy and the company you choose.
What is the best health insurance in Virginia?
Kaiser Permanente is the best health insurance company in Virginia based on its rates, plan quality and customer satisfaction. But the best health insurance for you depends on your medical needs and monthly budget. To choose the right plan, think about how often you get medical care, how expensive your health care and medications are and how much you can afford to spend each month. Then, compare plans to find one that fits your needs.
Methodology
ValuePenguin sourced health insurance rates and plan details for 2025 from Virginia's state health insurance exchange, Virginia's Insurance Marketplace. Average rates are for a 40-year-old with a Silver plan, unless another age or plan tier is specifically noted. Rates for plans with subsidies are based on all shoppers during the 2024 open enrollment period who got advanced premium tax credits (APTCs) on their monthly bill.
Company ratings were assigned to each company based on the company's average rates, plan quality, customer satisfaction and unique features. The information about COBRA plan costs and popular plan levels in Virginia is from KFF.
Other sources include the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and S&P Global Capital IQ.
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.