How Much Is Health Insurance?
The average cost of health insurance for a 30-year-old ranges from $512 a month for a Bronze plan to $1,144 a month for a Platinum plan on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Your actual cost will depend on factors like your location and age, and the details of your insurance plan, such as the deductible.
Average cost of health care by policy tier
Bronze health insurance plans have cheaper premiums than most other plans, but they require higher deductibles
As you move to higher tiers, the amount your policy pays rises, but so do the premiums.
| Tier | Monthly rate | Deductible | What you pay* | What the plan pays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $512 | High | 40% | 60% |
| Silver | $677 | Medium | 30% | 70% |
| Gold | $701 | Low | 20% | 80% |
| Platinum | $1,144 | Lowest | 10% | 90% |
*Based on the coinsurance rate for that metal tier
Your actual rate depends on factors like your age and family size. You also pay more if you smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products.
Plans sold online through the Health Insurance Marketplace, or exchange — as well as many you can buy on your own — follow rules set down in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This means they can’t factor your gender or health history into your rate.
But some private health insurance plans don’t comply with the ACA. These plans may charge you less if you’re healthy. They may also have different rates for men and women.
To start your search for health insurance, check out a comparison of rates from different insurers, and then head to the online exchange. You can also visit health care company websites or get help from a health insurance agent.
Health insurance costs by plan type
Besides the metal plan tiers, health insurance companies also have different policy types:
- HMO (health maintenance organization)
- POS (point of service plan)
- EPO (exclusive provider organization)
- PPO (preferred provider organization)
PPOs usually cost the most and give you the most flexibility. They cover visits to doctors outside of the plan’s network, and you don’t need a referral to see a specialist.
HMOs usually have the lowest costs and most restrictions.You only get coverage for providers within your HMO’s network. They only cover specialist visits with a referral from your primary care provider.
POS (which let you pay less for in-network care) and EPO (which mostly restrict you to in-network providers) plans fall between HMOs and PPOs for cost and flexibility.
Bronze insurance rates by plan type
| Plan type | Monthly rate | Out-of-network care | Specialist referrals |
|---|---|---|---|
| HMO | $493 | Not covered | Required |
| POS | $496 | Covered | Required |
| EPO | $532 | Not covered | Not required |
| PPO | $553 | Covered | Not required |
Health insurance costs by company
Kaiser Permanente has the cheapest health insurance rates among large companies. Its Bronze plans cost an average $454 a month for 30-year-olds.
However, Kaiser is only available in eight states
| Company | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente | $454 |
| Molina | $472 |
| Oscar | $473 |
| Ambetter | $508 |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield | $528 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $536 |
| Medica | $567 |
| Cigna | $589 |
Each company’s rates vary by state and county. It’s good to compare health insurance quotes from a few companies to find the cheapest rate for you and your family.
How much does health insurance cost in my state?
Where you live has a big impact on how much you pay for health insurance. The costs of care vary by state, as do health care needs and regulations.
Maryland has the cheapest health insurance among states, with Bronze plans costing $345 a month for 40-year-olds. Idaho and Virginia are the only other states with average Bronze plan quotes below $400 a month.
Vermont has the most expensive health insurance. Its Bronze plans cost an average of $901 a month.
Health insurance quotes by state
| State | Monthly rate | State vs. U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $499 | -3% |
| Alaska | $721 | +41% |
| Arizona | $565 | +10% |
| Arkansas | $514 | 0% |
| California | $627 | +22% |
| Colorado | $551 | +8% |
| Connecticut | $674 | +32% |
| Delaware | $591 | +15% |
| District of Columbia | $544 | +6% |
| Florida | $691 | +35% |
| Georgia | $584 | +14% |
| Hawaii | $467 | -9% |
| Idaho | $395 | -23% |
| Illinois | $604 | +18% |
| Indiana | $454 | -11% |
| Iowa | $451 | -12% |
| Kansas | $622 | +21% |
| Kentucky | $573 | +12% |
| Louisiana | $589 | +15% |
| Maine | $619 | +21% |
| Maryland | $345 | -33% |
| Massachusetts | $580 | +13% |
| Michigan | $515 | +1% |
| Minnesota | $472 | -8% |
| Mississippi | $648 | +26% |
| Missouri | $575 | +12% |
| Montana | $547 | +7% |
| Nebraska | $727 | +42% |
| Nevada | $634 | +24% |
| New Hampshire | $408 | -20% |
| New Jersey | $556 | +8% |
| New Mexico | $531 | +4% |
| New York | $831 | +62% |
| North Carolina | $627 | +22% |
| North Dakota | $485 | -5% |
| Ohio | $502 | -2% |
| Oklahoma | $570 | +11% |
| Oregon | $550 | +7% |
| Pennsylvania | $509 | -1% |
| Rhode Island | $431 | -16% |
| South Carolina | $488 | -5% |
| South Dakota | $567 | +11% |
| Tennessee | $593 | +16% |
| Texas | $534 | +4% |
| Utah | $628 | +23% |
| Vermont | $901 | +76% |
| Virginia | $396 | -23% |
| Washington | $513 | 0% |
| West Virginia | $817 | +59% |
| Wisconsin | $558 | +9% |
| Wyoming | $870 | +70% |
How age affects your health insurance rate
Age is another big factor in determining your health insurance rate. Young adults usually need less care than older individuals. This helps make your insurance rates low when you’re young.
Unfortunately, your rates go up as you age. For example, Bronze plans cost an average of $1,173 a month for 60-year-olds — more than double the rate of $512 a month for 30-year-olds.
Your health insurance rates are likely to peak in your early 60s. They get affordable again when you turn 65 and sign up for Medicare.
Health insurance costs by age
| Age | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| 21 | $450 |
| 30 | $512 |
| 40 | $570 |
| 50 | $806 |
| 60 | $1,173 |
Financial aid for affordable health care
Federal subsidies can help reduce your health care costs if you meet income requirements, which are all based on the federal poverty level (FPL).
- You can get a premium tax credit if your household income is less than 400% of the FPL. You can use advances on the credit to help pay your monthly premiums for a plan in any tier.
- You may be able to get cost-sharing reductions with an income of up to 250% of the FPL. These lower your deductible, copayments and other out-of-pocket costs, but not your premium. Cost-share reductions are only available for Silver plans.
- You may qualify for Medicaid if your income is less than the FPL, or even slightly above it, depending on where you live. The eligibility requirements vary by state.
- If you earn too much to get Medicaid, your family may still be eligible for aid through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
You can find out which of these programs you qualify for and apply for them on the health care exchange.
The exchange website can also direct you to your state’s health care exchange, if your state has one. Some state exchanges offer additional forms of financial aid.
How to calculate your health care costs
Your premiums show the minimum amount you’ll spend on health care in a given year. Your deductibles, copayments and coinsurance rate how much more you may pay out of pocket as a year unfolds.
Most plans also have a maximum out-of-pocket limit. This is the most you’ll pay in a year before your insurance plan pays for the rest of your covered expenses.
Bronze plans are a good choice if you’re healthy and you don’t need prescription medications. They have lower premiums than most other choices. If medical issues do arise throughout the year, you’ll pay more out of pocket for doctor’s visits and treatment.
Silver and gold plans may be better choices if you have health problems and/or need multiple prescription medications. You pay more up front in premiums but less out of pocket after that.
If you’re under 30, you can sign up for a Catastrophic plan. These have the lowest premiums but also the least coverage. They cover three visits with your primary care provider a year but not much else until your spending reaches your maximum out-of-pocket limit.
Sample health care cost comparison
A comparison of Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans in Ohio helps show how your health care costs can add up over the course of a year.
Health care plan comparison
| Expense | Bronze | Silver | Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | $502 | $683 | $893 |
| Total annual cost* | $6,021 | $8,193 | $10,720 |
| Deductible | $10,600 | $4,000 | $2,000 |
| Coinsurance | 40% | 30% | 20% |
| Primary care visits | Covered after deductible | $35 per visit | $30 per visit |
| Preventive care | Covered | Covered | Covered |
*Twelve monthly premium payments, does not include any discounts
All three plans cover preventive care
On the other hand, if you need $10,000 in care, a Silver or Gold plan may save you money on your overall health care spending.
Projected costs with $10,000 medical expenses
| Annual costs | Bronze | Silver* | Gold* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual premium | $6,021 | $8,193 | $10,720 |
| Deductible | Not met | $4,000 | $2,000 |
| Your coinsurance | $10,000 | $1,800 | $1,600 |
| Total annual costs | $16,021 | $13,993 | $14,320 |
In this scenario, a Silver plan saves you more than $2,000 over a Bronze plan, not counting copayments
Frequently asked questions
A monthly health insurance premium average $512 a month for a 30-year-old nonsmoker on a Bronze plan. The higher tiers (Silver, Gold and Platinum) have higher payments in exchange for more protection, while Catastrophic care plans can cost less than Bronze but cover little until you hit your out-of-pocket maximum.
Most health insurance plans set an out-of-pocket maximum, marking the most that you can pay in any given year. Your insurance plan will pay for all covered expenses for the rest of the year after you hit this limit.
How much you get for a premium tax credit on your health care insurance depends on your income, family size and where you live. To qualify for the tax credit, your household income must be below 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL) guidelines.
Cost-sharing reductions can lower your deductible, copayments and maximum out-of-pocket costs for Silver plans, although they don’t affect your regular premium payment. You must have an income of less than 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL) guidelines to qualify.
Methodology
LendingTree obtains health insurance rates from the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and state marketplaces. These include CMS public use files (PUFs) for marketplace plans in every U.S. state and the District of Columbia.
Your actual rates will vary based on plan availability, the costs of care in your area and other factors.