Cheap Health Insurance Plans in 2024
Kaiser Permanente has the cheapest health insurance plans in 2024, and its Bronze plans cost an average of $373 per month.
Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Your Area
Cheap Health Insurance
Find Cheap Health Insurance in Your Area
Bronze health plans are a good option for cheap health insurance, although they don't give you as much coverage as Silver plans.
Kaiser Permanente has the cheapest Bronze health insurance plans in 2024, with an average rate of $373 per month.
Blue Cross Blue Shield is also a good deal. It has the cheapest Bronze health insurance plans in 24 states. If you're a young adult who needs health insurance, Aetna is the cheapest option.
ValuePenguin reviewed health insurance rates for hundreds of companies and subsidiaries to find the cheapest health insurance in 2024. Our experts looked at overall rates, rates in each state and company availability. To ensure that our recommendations were not only cheap but also offered good coverage, ValuePenguin's editors also reviewed each company's coverage and service. See the full methodology.
Cheapest health insurance overall: Kaiser Permanente
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Editor's rating
- Cost: $373
Kaiser Permanente has the cheapest Bronze health insurance plans in 2024.
Pros:
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Cheap rates
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Excellent customer service
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Runs Kaiser Permanente medical offices
Cons:
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Can only use Kaiser Permanente doctors
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Only available in eight states
Kaiser Permanente has the cheapest health insurance rates in 2024 for Bronze plans. If you want cheap health insurance and you live in Washington, D.C. or one of the eight states where Kaiser sells plans, getting a quote from Kaiser is a good idea.
If you're looking for the best cheap health insurance, Kaiser is a great option. Not only are its rates low, but it also has some of the best customer service in the industry. HealthCare.gov gives Kaiser Permanente 4.9 out of 5.0 stars for customer satisfaction. And Kaiser Permanente has 81% fewer complaints about its health insurance than expected for a company its size.
Kaiser Permanente also runs its own hospitals and medical offices, and its plans require that you go to these locations to get most medical care. This can make getting the care you need easier and can help streamline the billing process, but it also means you're limited in the doctors you can see. If you want the freedom to pick a doctor yourself, Blue Cross Blue Shield is a better option.
Cheapest health insurance for most people: Blue Cross Blue Shield
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Editor's rating
- Cost: $470
Blue Cross Blue Shield has the cheapest Bronze in nearly half the country.
Pros:
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Cheap rates in many states
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Lets you go to most doctors and hospitals
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Most plans come with extra perks
Cons:
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Quality of service depends on where you live
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has the cheapest Bronze health insurance for most people. In 24 states, a BCBS company has the cheapest Bronze health insurance plan.
Blue Cross Blue Shield is also one of the best health insurance companies overall. More than 90% of doctors and hospitals take BCBS insurance, which makes it easier to get coverage for your medical care. And most Blue Cross Blue Shield plans have perks like discounts on fitness programs, meal services and more.
But the customer service you get from Blue Cross Blue Shield depends on where you live. In Florida, for example, Blue Cross Blue Shield has great service, with 76% fewer complaints compared to an average company its size.
But one of the Blue Cross Blue Shield companies in Colorado has more than seven times the number of expected complaints. Before you buy a plan, it could be a good idea to talk to current members about their experience, if you can.
Cheapest health insurance for young adults: Aetna
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Editor's rating
- Cost: $308
Aetna has cheap rates for young adults with their own health plans.
Pros:
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Cheap rates for young adults
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Good rates for older adults
Cons:
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Only available in 17 states
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Service quality depends on where you live
If you're a young adult and need your own health insurance, Aetna is a good option. A Bronze plan from Aetna costs an average of $308 per month, which is cheaper than most companies. Kaiser Permanente also has cheap rates for 21-year-olds, but it's only available in eight states. Aetna is available in 17 states.
Aetna is also one of the cheapest health insurance companies overall, with Bronze plans that cost an average of $394 per month for a 40-year-old. But if you live in states where Kaiser Permanente sells plans, Kaiser is probably cheaper than Aetna. And in most other states, Blue Cross Blue Shield is cheaper for older people.
But the quality of Aetna's customer service depends on where you live. For example, in Florida, Aetna has 85% fewer complaints than expected based on its size. But in Texas, Aetna gets 83% more complaints than expected. Before you buy a plan, do some research on the Aetna company in your area.
Find Cheap Health Insurance in Your Area
Cheapest health insurance by state
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has the cheapest Bronze plan for most people in 24 states.
Where you live has a big impact on your health insurance costs. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield is a cheap option in Arizona. But in Kentucky, Aetna has the cheapest rates.
Cheapest Bronze
Cheapest Silver
State | Cheapest Bronze plan | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | UnitedHealthcare Bronze Essential | $379 |
| Alaska | Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Bronze | $512 |
| Arizona | Blue AdvanceHealth Bronze - PimaFocus Network | $287 |
| Arkansas | Ambetter Standard Expanded Bronze | $381 |
| California | LA Care Bronze 60 HMO | $282 |
Monthly rates are based on a 40-year-old nonsmoker.
Cheapest Bronze
State | Cheapest Bronze plan | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | UnitedHealthcare Bronze Essential | $379 |
| Alaska | Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Bronze | $512 |
| Arizona | Blue AdvanceHealth Bronze - PimaFocus Network | $287 |
| Arkansas | Ambetter Standard Expanded Bronze | $381 |
| California | LA Care Bronze 60 HMO | $282 |
Monthly rates are based on a 40-year-old nonsmoker.
Cheapest Silver
State | Cheapest Silver plan | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Ambetter Standard Silver | $496 |
| Alaska | Moda Pioneer Alaska Standard Silver | $840 |
| Arizona | BannerAetna Silver S | $342 |
| Arkansas | Ambetter Standard Silver | $424 |
| California | LA Care Silver 70 HMO | $335 |
Monthly rates are based on a 40-year-old nonsmoker.
Blue Cross Blue Shield has the most affordable Bronze plan in about half the states and the cheapest Silver plan in 16 states. Ambetter also has low-cost options, with the cheapest Bronze plan in six states and the cheapest Silver plans in 12 states.
Overall, Maryland and New Hampshire have the cheapest health insurance costs, with average rates less than $400 per month for a Silver plan. Health insurance is most expensive in Alaska and Vermont, where average rates are more than $900 per month.
How to choose the most affordable health insurance plan
Focus on choosing the right type of plan before you focus on getting the cheapest health insurance.
Getting the right coverage will have a bigger impact on your total costs than the company you pick. The cheapest health insurance for you depends on your household income and your medical needs.
If you're young and healthy, a Bronze plan is probably the cheapest option. Bronze plans have the cheapest monthly rates, but you'll pay more when you go to a doctor. If you go to the doctor often or need expensive medical care, a Gold or Platinum plan might be cheaper overall. You'll pay more each month, but your health care bills will be lower. Silver plans are in the middle and are also the most popular.
4 types of affordable health insurance
Bronze health insurance plan
Bronze plans can be a good option for affordable health insurance if you are young and generally healthy.
- Typically the cheapest rates
- Free preventive care
- How much you pay depends on your income
Bronze plans are usually the most affordable health insurance options if you don't have coverage through a job. Plans cover essential health benefits like prescription drugs, mental health services and preventive care. About 80% of people can find a Bronze health insurance plan for $10 per month after tax credits. That's because there are extra discounts you can get until 2025.
A Bronze plan is typically the most affordable health insurance with full medical benefits. The average cost of a Bronze plan for 2024 is $462 per month. These plans follow Affordable Care Act (ACA) guidelines. That means they have to include free preventive care as well as coverage for the following benefits:
- Outpatient services
- Emergency services
- Hospitalization
- Maternity and newborn care
- Pediatric services
- Mental health and substance abuse care
- Prescription drugs
- Rehab services
- Laboratory services
If you choose a Bronze plan, make sure you have the money in the bank to pay the high deductible or out-of-pocket maximum if you have an emergency.
The amount you pay for a Bronze plan will depend on the plan you choose and your income. There are two ways you can save on your coverage.
- Choose a cheap plan within the Bronze tier: The cheapest Bronze plans in each state cost an average of $348 per month. That's a typical savings of about $100 per month by shopping around for the best deal.
- Sign up for tax credits: If you have a low- to mid-level income, you can use premium tax credits, also called subsidies, to lower the cost of a Bronze plan. For example, if you earn $40,000 per year, you might only pay $37 per month for a health insurance plan that costs a total of $348 per month. That's because you could get a $311 monthly tax credit.
If you go to the doctor often or need expensive medical care, a Bronze plan isn't the best option. It might give you cheap health insurance, but you'll have to pay for more of your medical costs yourself. If you need medical care often, it's usually more affordable overall to buy a higher-tier plan like Silver, Gold or Platinum.
How to decide between a Bronze and Silver health insurance plan
If you have some medical needs, the stronger benefits of a Silver plan can make it a better deal than a Bronze plan. That's because the extra amount you pay each month for a Silver plan is offset by savings on medical care.
To choose the best plan, think about the tipping point between the cost for a Bronze plan and a Silver plan. For example, if a Silver plan costs $100 more per month, it would need to save you $1,200 per year in medical care to be worth it.
Silver health insurance plan
A Silver plan is the cheapest option for those who expect to need moderate amounts of medical care.
- More expensive than Bronze but has better medical benefits
- Can get lower rates based on your income
- Only plan eligible for "cost-sharing reduction" discounts to lower the cost of medical care
A Silver plan is a better option if you need more than a basic level of medical care or want better coverage. These plans cost a little more each month than Bronze plans, but they're still an affordable health insurance option. Plus, the better benefits can help you save on health care.
Even though Silver plans cost more each month, they lower the amount you spend on medical services, treatment and prescriptions.
Two ways to save on a Silver plan:
- Sign up for tax credits to reduce monthly costs: Like Bronze plans, Silver plans may qualify for cheaper monthly rates through tax credits. The amount of the discount that you get from tax credits is based on your income and family size.
- See if you qualify to reduce your medical costs: If you have a low income, you could pay less for each doctor visit or medical treatment, and you'll also pay less overall before the plan's full benefits begin. That's because you might qualify for cost-sharing reductions, which lower the coinsurance and deductible on a Silver plan. Cost-sharing reductions are only available if you choose a Silver health insurance plan and have a household income of less than $36,450 for an individual or $75,000 for a family of four.
Health insurance tax credits
In most cases, you'll get more affordable health insurance if your income qualifies you for health insurance subsidies, also called tax credits.
About 92% of people with ACA plans get subsidies.
Subsidies can be applied to any company or plan you choose, except Catastrophic coverage. Even if the full price of a plan costs $300 to $500 per month, your portion of the cost could be less than $100.
For example, if you earn $30,000 per year, you would pay an average of $56 per month for a typical health insurance plan.
Medicaid
Medicaid is the cheapest health insurance if you have a low income.
- Free or low-cost health insurance
- Only available if you have a low income
Medicaid eligibility varies by state. In most states, you have to make less than about $20,782 per year as a single person to qualify. A family of four has to make less than $43,056 per year.
Medicaid eligibility depends on how much you make and the size of your household, as well as factors like disability and family status.
Where you live determines the income limits for Medicaid eligibility:
- Those living in one of the states with expanded Medicaid can qualify for coverage with incomes less than about $20,782 as an individual or less than about $43,056 as a family of four.
- In Alaska and Hawaii, you can earn more money and still qualify because the poverty threshold is higher.
- States that have not expanded their Medicaid programs have lower income caps for Medicaid.
The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is another government health insurance program. It offers coverage to children and sometimes to pregnant women. CHIP is geared toward families who have a low income but earn too much to qualify for Medicaid.
Short-term health insurance
Short-term plans can be cheap, but only make sense when you only need coverage for a short time.
- Covers you when you're in between other plans
- May not cover essential medical services
- Usually has restrictions on who can be covered and for how long
Another option for affordable health insurance is a short-term plan. Plans can have rates as low as $100 to $200 per month, but coverage often has restrictions. Plans could have high deductibles or not cover prescriptions or preexisting conditions. This makes them best for situations when you need stopgap coverage or benefits that begin immediately.
Short-term health insurance is usually more affordable than a full-price health insurance plan on the marketplace.
But these plans only give you temporary and limited coverage. For example, a short-term plan could be a cheap option if you have a gap between jobs.
Coverage can last between a few weeks to a year at most, depending on short-term health insurance laws in your state. And plans don't cover the same essential health benefits that you'd get with a Bronze or Silver plan. This could mean a plan may not cover preexisting conditions, maternity care or prescription drugs.
If you recently lost your health insurance, including Medicaid, or had a life event like moving or getting married, you'll qualify to sign up for a cheap health insurance plan immediately through the marketplace, during what's called a special enrollment period.
- This gives you a 30-to-60-day window to access traditional coverage, including Bronze and Silver options.
- You may qualify for discounts such as subsidies and cost reductions.
- You can have a marketplace insurance plan for any length of time. You should cancel the plan if you become eligible for other health insurance.
Frequently asked questions
How can I get affordable health insurance?
First, check to see if you qualify for Medicaid coverage, which will always be the cheapest health insurance option. If you are not eligible, see if you qualify for subsidies. These can lower the cost for individual health insurance plans.
When can I buy cheap health coverage?
You can buy health insurance between Nov. 1 through Jan. 15, during the annual open enrollment period. During this time, you can shop for cheap health insurance from private companies on HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace.
If you need a plan but it's not open enrollment, check to see if you qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP). You could qualify if you have lost a job, had a child, recently gotten married or had another big life change.
How do I choose the most affordable health insurance company?
Start by finding the available companies in your region. Companies vary the plans that they offer by state. Then, get quotes and compare monthly rates, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums to choose the best cheap health insurance for you.
Methodology
Health insurance rates for 2024 Bronze and Silver plans are from the public use files (PUFs) on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website and state marketplaces. Costs are based on a 40-year-old nonsmoker unless otherwise noted. Plan availability and cost vary by county.
Rates for short-term insurance are for a 40-year-old male nonsmoker in Austin, Texas, choosing a minimal coverage plan with a deductible between $10,000 and $25,000 and benefits up to $1 million.
Average subsidy rates are based on KFF's Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator, which uses 2024 plan data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
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.