Michelle MegnaLead Editor, Insurance
Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine editor covering consumer technology, a foreign correspondent for Time and various newswires and local newspaper reporter.
Michelle Megna
Michelle MegnaLead Editor, Insurance
Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine editor covering consumer technology, a foreign correspondent for Time and various newswires and local newspaper reporter.
Lead Editor, Insurance
Patrick T. PadgettHealth Insurance Expert
Patrick T. Padgett is executive vice president/CEO of the Kentucky Medical Association. He served two tours with the United States Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps, one as a military prosecutor and a second working with Naval Intelligence. Patrick joined the KMA staff in 1996 and served for 11 years as KMA’s counsel before being elevated to CEO in 2007.
He has authored a number of papers and booklets, including the KMA Legal Handbook for Kentucky Physicians and is a frequent speaker on such topics as the basics of health insurance, laws and regulations impacting health insurance, healthcare policy, leadership and personal finance.
He is the former chair of the American Medical Association Litigation Center Executive Committee; a former member of the Ronald McDonald House of Kentuckiana Board of Directors; and for the 2023-2024 term, the chair of the Kentucky Humane Society Board of Directors. Patrick is married to his wife Elizabeth, and has two dogs named Henry and Sophie.
Expert Reviewed
Patrick T. Padgett
Patrick T. PadgettHealth Insurance Expert
Patrick T. Padgett is executive vice president/CEO of the Kentucky Medical Association. He served two tours with the United States Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps, one as a military prosecutor and a second working with Naval Intelligence. Patrick joined the KMA staff in 1996 and served for 11 years as KMA’s counsel before being elevated to CEO in 2007.
He has authored a number of papers and booklets, including the KMA Legal Handbook for Kentucky Physicians and is a frequent speaker on such topics as the basics of health insurance, laws and regulations impacting health insurance, healthcare policy, leadership and personal finance.
He is the former chair of the American Medical Association Litigation Center Executive Committee; a former member of the Ronald McDonald House of Kentuckiana Board of Directors; and for the 2023-2024 term, the chair of the Kentucky Humane Society Board of Directors. Patrick is married to his wife Elizabeth, and has two dogs named Henry and Sophie.
Health Insurance Expert
Expert Reviewed
Updated: May 1, 2024, 12:25pm
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Kaiser Permanente is the best affordable health insurance company on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace.
The ACA marketplace at HealthCare.gov lets you compare health plan options, including information about costs, deductibles and coinsurance. It’s a great way to find health insurance if you can’t get coverage through work.
We compared health plans that offer ACA coverage to find the best and most affordable health insurance plan.
Read more
Find The Best Health Insurance
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Show Summary
- Summary: The Best Affordable Health Insurance Companies
- Best Affordable Health Insurance Companies
- How Can I Get Affordable Health Insurance?
- How Much Does Health Insurance Cost?
- What to Consider When Searching for Affordable Health Insurance
- Methodology
- Other Health Insurance Companies We Rated
- Affordable Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Summary: The Best Affordable Health Insurance Companies
Kaiser Permanente and Blue Cross Blue Shield top our list, with UnitedHealthcare also receiving high marks.
| Our expert take | Company | Company - Logo | Forbes Advisor Rating | Forbes Advisor rating | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest Health Insurance Company | Kaiser Permanente |  | 5.0 |  | Get Quotes | On Healthcare.com's Website | |
| Best Provider Network | Blue Cross Blue Shield |  | 5.0 |  | Get Quotes | On Healthcare.com's Website | |
| Best for Customer Satisfaction | UnitedHealthcare |  | 4.6 |  | Get Quotes | On Healthcare.com's Website |
Source: Healthcare.gov. Based on unsubsidized ACA plans. Average costs can vary significantly depending on your state and age.
How We Chose the Best Affordable Health Insurance Companies
Best Affordable Health Insurance Companies
Cheapest health insurance company
Kaiser Permanente
5.0
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
NCQA Quality Rating
4.2 out of 5
Average cost for a bronze plan for a 40-year-old
$351 a month
Average bronze plan deductible
$6,700 a year
On Healthcare.com's Website
4.2 out of 5
$351 a month
$6,700 a year
Editor's Take
Kaiser Permanente has the cheapest prices among the health insurance companies we evaluated. It has superior ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance and offers four different types of metal tiers on the ACA marketplace. We like that Kaiser Permanente provides many choices, which can help you to find the right premium/out-of-pocket cost balance for you.
- Best average ACA plan ratings among the insurers we reviewed.
- Operates an integrated health system, which may reduce potential claims problems and make healthcare more seamless.
- Highest NCQA quality rating of the health insurance companies we analyzed.
- Cheapest health insurance deductible for bronze plans, on average, compared to large insurers.
More:Kaiser Permanente Health Insurance Review
Drawbacks
- Only available in eight states and Washington, D.C.
- Consumer complaints to state insurance commissioners are higher than the industry average.
Marketplace Health Plan Availability
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Virginia
- Maryland
- Oregon
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
Best Provider Network
Blue Cross Blue Shield
5.0
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
NCQA Quality Rating
3.5 out of 5
Average cost for a bronze plan for a 40-year-old
$458 a month
Average bronze plan deductible
$7,173 a year
On Healthcare.com's Website
3.5 out of 5
$458 a month
$7,173 a year
Editor's Take
We like that you can find Blue Cross Blue Shield providers in any state. Blue Cross Blue Shield has over 1.7 million in-network providers that are composed of 33 independent insurers. That means it’s easier to find an in-network provider when you travel. It offers three types of health plans and four metal tiers on the ACA marketplace.
- Lower than average silver plan deductible costs.
- Available nationwide.
- Better-than-average quality ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
More:Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance Review
Drawbacks
- Level of complaints to state insurance commissioners is slightly above average compared to the rest of the industry.
- Higher ACA marketplace premiums than competitors we analyzed.
Marketplace Health Plan Availability
All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Best for customer satisfaction
UnitedHealthcare
4.6
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
NCQA Quality Rating
3.5 out of 5
Average cost for a bronze plan for a 40-year-old
$427 a month
Average bronze plan deductible
$8,177 a year
On Healthcare.com's Website
3.5 out of 5
$427 a month
$8,177 a year
Editor's Take
UnitedHealthcare was the only insurer in our analysis with a lower-than-average level of complaints to state insurance departments. That may mean higher customer satisfaction than competitors. We also like that it has better-than-average plan ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
- Large provider network across the country with 1.5 million providers and 7,000 hospitals and facilities.
- Three metal tiers offered on ACA marketplace.
- Provides other types of insurance, including dental, vision, accident and critical illness plans.
More:UnitedHealthcare Health Insurance Review
Drawbacks
- Premiums are higher than some competitors.
- Doesn’t offer as many metal tiers or types of health plans in the ACA marketplace compared to competitors.
Marketplace Health Plan Availability
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- IIllinois
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
How Can I Get Affordable Health Insurance?
There are multiple avenues to finding cheap health insurance.
 | Work |
 | Affordable Care Act MarketplaceYou may find affordable health insurance costs through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace at HealthCare.gov, especially if you qualify for subsidies. |
 | A Parent or SpouseEmployers often let employees add spouses and dependent children to health plans, which can be cheaper than buying separate coverage. |
 | MedicaidA federal/state program for low-income people, Medicaid offers the same benefits and coverage found in a private health insurance plan but at a lower cost. If you qualify, Medicaid bases costs on your household income. Medicaid premiums can be as low as zero, depending on your income. |
 | Short-Term Health InsuranceMost states allow short-term health insurance plans, which are low-cost but also have limited coverage. For instance, these plans often don’t cover prescriptions, mental health, maternity care or pre-existing conditions. |
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost?
A bronze health insurance plan on the Affordable Care Act marketplace costs an average of $373 monthly for a 30-year-old.
- A 40-year-old pays an average of $420 monthly for the same coverage.
- A 50-year-old pays $587 monthly.
- A 60-year-old pays $890 monthly.
Bronze plans have the lowest health insurance premiums on the ACA marketplace. Silver plans have the next lowest premiums. A silver health insurance plan costs an average of $488 monthly for a 30-year-old, $549 for a 40-year-old, $767 for a 50-year-old and $1,164 for a 60-year-old.
None of these averages factor in subsidies or tax credits, which will lower your overall cost. ACA plans are the only ones that have those tax credits, which can reduce your costs. People with household incomes below 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for subsidies on ACA plans.
Average Cost of Health Insurance by Age
Age plays an important role in how much you pay for ACA marketplace coverage.
| Age of member | Average monthly overall cost | Blue Cross Blue Shield monthly cost | Kaiser Permanente monthly cost | UnitedHealthcare monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Age 21 | $397 | $444 | $348 | $396 |
Age 27 | $419 | $468 | $365 | $415 |
Age 30 | $453 | $506 | $396 | $450 |
Age 40 | $509 | $569 | $445 | $506 |
Age 50 | $712 | $795 | $622 | $708 |
Age 60 | $1,079 | $1,206 | $946 | $1,076 |
Source: HealthCare.gov. Based on unsubsidized ACA plans.
Health insurance costs in the ACA marketplace vary based on multiple factors, including:
- The health insurance company.
- The metal tier.
- The type of health plan.
- Your age.
- The out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles and coinsurance.
- Your smoking status.
Average Monthly Health Insurance Costs by Tier
| Tier | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|
Bronze | $345 |
Silver | $452 |
Gold | $585 |
Average costs for a 27-year-old. Source: HealthCare.gov. Based on unsubsidized ACA plans.
Ask an expert
How to Find the Best Cheap Health Insurance
Patrick Padgett
Advisory Board Member
Les Masterson
Insurance Editor
Jason Metz
Insurance Lead Editor
Amy Danise
Insurance Managing Editor
Michelle Megna
Insurance Lead Editor
Get Subsidies if You Can
If you are purchasing a plan through the ACA marketplace, subsidies make all of the difference in how much you will pay in premiums and are dependent on your annual income. If you are not yet 65 and retired, look for ways to keep your taxable income below the maximum level to obtain subsidies.
Patrick Padgett
Advisory Board Member
Compare Quotes
If you’re buying a health plan through the ACA marketplace, I think it’s wise to compare health insurance quotes on the marketplace website. Make sure to compare the costs for the same metal tier, so you can gauge the plans accurately.
Les Masterson
Insurance Editor
Consider an HMO or EPO
If you want the most affordable health plan benefit design, I think you may want to go with a health maintenance organization (HMO) or exclusive provider organization (EPO) plan. Those plans require you to stay in the plan’s provider network, but they have lower premiums than a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan.
Jason Metz
Insurance Lead Editor
Make Sure Your Doctors Take the Plan
Make sure that your providers accept a health insurance plan before you buy it. I would check with your providers to confirm that they take that specific insurance plan. Don’t rely on the health insurance company’s online provider directory, which can be incorrect or out of date.
Amy Danise
Insurance Managing Editor
Get on a Spouse or Parent's Plan
Getting added to a spouse or parent’s health plan may cost less than buying your own health insurance. I suggest reviewing all of your health insurance options, including a spouse or parent’s health plan, before choosing a plan.
Michelle Megna
Insurance Lead Editor
What to Consider When Searching for Affordable Health Insurance
When looking for a cheap health insurance plan, consider your family’s current and near-future healthcare needs. Are you planning to start a new family? Are you on many prescription medications? Do you expect you’ll need to get that trick knee fixed in the coming year?
All of those factors should be taken into account so you can decide whether or not you should choose a plan with a high deductible. A high-deductible health plan (HDHP) typically has lower premiums, but you pay more out-of-pocket when you need healthcare.
 | PremiumsA health insurance premium is what you pay to have insurance. Premiums are a major cost driver for health insurance. |
 | DeductiblesA deductible influences how much you pay for a health insurance premium and decides how much you pay when you need care. You must pay your health insurance deductible before a health insurer begins paying for healthcare services. |
 | CoinsuranceA higher coinsurance means you pay more for healthcare when you need it. The percentage of healthcare costs that you pay when you need care after reaching your deductible. |
 | Metal TiersACA plans are grouped into four “metal” categories: bronze, silver, gold or platinum health insurance, which are separated based on premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Bronze and silver plans have lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs when you need care. Gold and platinum have higher premiums but lower out-of-pocket costs. |
 | Premium Tax CreditsACA plans are the only ones with premium tax credits based on your household income. Depending on your income, you may save hundreds on your ACA plan each year. |
 | Provider NetworkHealth plans typically have provider networks, which are doctors and healthcare professionals who have contracts with your health insurer. Staying in a plan’s network is generally cheaper than getting out-of-network care. |
 | Out-of-Pocket MaximumThis amount is the most you could pay for healthcare services in a year. Your deductible, copays and coinsurance for in-network services count toward this maximum. Your health insurance plan covers 100% of your in-network costs for the year once you reach our out-of-pocket max. |
Methodology
We analyzed 84 data points about coverage and quality for seven large health insurance companies to determine the best and most affordable health insurance companies. Our ratings are based on:
- Complaints made to state insurance departments (30% of score): We used complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
- Plan ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (30% of score): The National Committee for Quality Assurance is an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits health plans and produces ratings based on specific metrics, including patient experience, prevention, treatment, overall rating of the health plan and rating of care.
- Average silver plan deductible (20% of score): The deductible is how much you have to pay for healthcare in a year before the health plan begins picking up a portion of the costs. Companies with health plans that had low deductibles got more points. Source: HealthCare.gov.
- Breadth of health plans (10% of score): Health insurance companies may offer up to four types of plan benefit designs (PPO, HMO, EPO and POS). Companies that offered more types of plans got more points. Source: HealthCare.gov.
- Metal tier offerings (10% of score): The ACA marketplace has four metal tier levels. We gave points to companies that offered more tier plan options. Source: HealthCare.gov.
Read more: How Forbes Advisor rates health insurance companies
Other Health Insurance Companies We Rated
Here are other health insurance companies we analyzed as part of our research.
| Insurance company | Forbes Advisor rating |
|---|---|
Oscar |
|
Cigna |
|
Aetna |
|
Molina Healthcare |
|
Affordable Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the most affordable health insurance company?
Kaiser Permanente is the most affordable health insurance company, according to our analysis of seven health insurers.
Our research found that Kaiser Permanente has the cheapest home insurance rates, on average, for multiple ages and metal tiers on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. For instance, a 40-year-old pays $351 monthly on average for a Kaiser Permanente unsubsidized Bronze plan, compared to $378 for an Aetna plan and $392 for an Oscar plan.
Can I buy affordable health insurance any time?
You usually can only buy a new health insurance plan or change your coverage during the annual open enrollment period unless you have a qualifying life event. For instance, open enrollment for ACA marketplace plans runs from November 1 to January 15 in most states, though some states have longer open enrollment periods.
A qualifying life event, such as losing your health coverage, getting married or having a baby, typically kicks off a special enrollment period. During a special enrollment period, you can sign up for overage or change your existing health coverage.
Can I negotiate the cost of health insurance?
No, you can’t typically negotiate health insurance costs. The health insurance company may offer another plan that would be a better fit for you.
For instance, an insurer may suggest a lower-cost bronze plan, going with a higher deductible or choosing a more restrictive plan like a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan. Those options often have lower premiums than more expensive coverage options.
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