Best Affordable Health Insurance Plans in 2025
Kaiser Permanente has the cheapest health insurance plans for 2025. The company's Bronze plans cost an average of $403 per month before discounts.
Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Your Area
Best and cheapest health insurance
Find Cheap Health Insurance in Your Area
- Cheapest overall: Kaiser Permanente
- Cheapest for most people: Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cheapest Silver plans: Ambetter
ValuePenguin reviewed health insurance rates for hundreds of companies and subsidiaries to find the cheapest health insurance in 2025. Our experts looked at overall rates, rates in each state and company availability.
To make sure recommendations are not only cheap but also offer good coverage, ValuePenguin's editors also reviewed each company's coverage and service.
See the full methodology.
Best affordable health insurance: Kaiser Permanente
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| Average monthly cost: | $403 |
Kaiser Permanente has the most affordable Bronze health insurance plans for 2025.
Pros:
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Cheap rates
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Excellent customer service
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Simple claims process
Cons:
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Can only use Kaiser doctors
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Only in 8 states and D.C.
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Not the cheapest coverage for higher plan tiers
Kaiser Permanente has the cheapest health insurance plans among large health insurance companies. A Bronze plan costs an average of $403 per month, on average. If you want affordable health insurance and you live in Washington, D.C., or one of the eight states where Kaiser sells plans, getting a quote is a good idea.
Kaiser is a great option for high-quality, affordable health coverage. Not only does it have low rates, but Kaiser Permanente also has some of the best customer service in the industry.
HealthCare.gov gives Kaiser Permanente 5 out of 5 stars. Kaiser Permanente is the only large health insurance company to get a 5-star rating in 2025.
Kaiser Permanente also runs its own hospitals and medical offices. This makes it easier to get the care you need. It also helps to streamline the billing process. However, keep in mind that you can't get care outside the Kaiser system. If you want the freedom to pick a doctor yourself, Blue Cross Blue Shield is a better option.
Cheapest health insurance for most people: BCBS
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| Average monthly cost: | $483 |
Blue Cross Blue Shield has the cheapest Bronze plans for around 4 in 10 Americans.
Pros:
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Cheapest rates in 18 states and D.C.
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Can get it anywhere
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Extra benefits available
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Many plan choices
Cons:
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Customer service quality depends on where you live
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Isn't affordable everywhere and for all plan tiers
Blue Cross Blue Shield has the cheapest Bronze health insurance in 18 states. and Washington, D.C. BCBS also has affordable rates for Silver and Gold plans in many states.
Blue Cross Blue Shield is also one of the best health insurance companies overall. More than 1.7 million doctors and hospitals nationwide take BCBS insurance. That makes it easy to use and get in-network prices.
Plus, it's one of the best companies for family health insurance plans, as you get access to a broad range of pediatricians and other specialists.
Many BCBS plans also offer extra benefits like discounts on fitness programs, meal services and more.
But the customer service you get from Blue Cross Blue Shield will depend on where you live. For example, in Florida, BCBS has great service, with less than one-fifth fewer complaints than an average company its size.
But, in Michigan, a BCBS company has more than one and a half times the number of expected complaints. Before you buy a plan, it's a good idea to research the BCBS company in your area.
Cheapest Silver health plans: Ambetter
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| Average monthly cost: | $521 |
Ambetter has the cheapest Silver plans for most Americans.
Pros:
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Cheapest Silver health insurance in 19 states
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Extra benefits available
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Many plan choices
Cons:
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Poor customer service in some states
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Can be difficult to find doctors
Ambetter has the cheapest Silver health insurance in 19 states. Overall, the company has cheaper-than-average rates in 28 states out of the 29 where it sells Silver plans.
Ambetter's My Health Pays rewards healthy behaviors like exercising, eating well and getting annual checkups. After completing qualifying activities, Ambetter will automatically add money to your My Health Pays card, which you can use on costs including your plan's monthly rate, the costs you're responsible for when you see the doctor, child care, home utilities, phone bills, transportation and rent.
Ambetter has a poor reputation for customer service in certain states. Ambetter is made up of different companies that sell insurance in different states. That means the organization in your area may offer better or worse service than you would get elsewhere.
For example, Ambetter of North Carolina gets nearly three times as many complaints as an average company its size. In Mississippi, the company gets roughly a quarter fewer complaints than an average company its size.
Ambetter sells several different health plan options. Most people will have access to two types: HMOs and EPOs.
- HMO (health maintenance organization) plans restrict you to a network of doctors and require that you choose a primary care doctor. You also need to get referrals before you see a specialist. These plans typically have low monthly rates.
- EPO (exclusive provider organization) plans don't require that you get a referral before seeing a specialist or choose a primary care doctor, but you can only see doctors in your network unless it's an emergency. These plans tend to cost more than HMOs but less than PPOs.
If you live in Arkansas or Oklahoma, you can get an Ambetter PPO (preferred provider organization) plan. Arkansas residents also have the option of buying a POS (point of service) plan. POS plans offer more flexibility when it comes to choosing your doctor, but often at a higher cost.
Find Cheap Health Insurance in Your Area
Cheapest health insurance by state
Blue Cross Blue Shield has the most affordable Bronze health insurance plans in 18 states and Washington, D.C.
Keep in mind that BCBS only has cheaper-than-average rates in 20 of the 50 states where it sells Bronze plans.
Ambetter has the cheapest Bronze plans in 12 states. However, Ambetter is a good deal for Bronze plans in most states where it sells plans.
Ambetter has the cheapest Silver plans in 19 states. Blue Cross Blue Shield has the most affordable Silver plans in 14 states.
It's important to remember that in many states, the cheapest company may not sell plans everywhere. For example, LA Plans has the cheapest health insurance in California, but the company only offers coverage in Los Angeles County. If you live in another part of the state, you should consider another company, like Kaiser Permanente or BCBS.
Overall, Maryland and Pennsylvania have the cheapest rates for Bronze plans, at under $300 per month. Vermont and Alaska have the highest rates. Bronze plans start at $637 per month in Alaska and $808 per month in Vermont.
How to get the most affordable health insurance
If you make between roughly $21,000 and $60,000 per year (about $44,000 to $125,000 for a family of four), you can get discounts on marketplace plans.
Nine out of 10 people who buy health exchange plans can get discounts called marketplace subsidies. These subsidies can lower your monthly rate by hundreds of dollars. You get them with Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum plans bought through HealthCare.gov or your state health exchange.
Silver health plans have affordable rates. Plus, if you're eligible, you can get extra discounts called cost-sharing reductions that help cover the bills you're responsible for when you go to the doctor. If you've put off visiting the doctor because you're concerned about expensive medical care, cost-sharing reductions can help you afford the care you need. If you earn a low income, taking advantage of marketplace subsidies and cost-sharing reductions is the best way to get the most affordable health insurance.
Medicaid: Free health insurance
If you make less than about $21,000 as a single person (under roughly $44,000 for a family of four), then you may qualify for free government insurance. It’s called Medicaid, and it’s available in its expanded form in all but 10 states.
If you don't live in a state with expanded Medicaid, you typically need to both have a low income and meet another condition to qualify.
How to find the best cheap health insurance for you
Choosing the best health insurance for you doesn't have to be confusing.
The first step to comparing health insurance quotes is understanding your budget and medical needs. The cheapest level of health insurance for you will depend on how much money you make and how often you visit the doctor.
Younger people, as well as those with fewer health conditions, will typically save money with a Bronze or Silver plan. But if you do have an ongoing medical problem, a Gold plan probably makes more sense. Keep in mind that you may qualify for cost-sharing reductions if you have a Silver plan and a low income.
Bronze health insurance: Best if you're younger or healthier
Bronze plans are often the most affordable health insurance option if you rarely go to the doctor and can afford a large, unexpected bill.
- Free preventive care
- Typically the cheapest rates
- How much you pay depends on your income
Bronze plans cost $488 per month, on average, at full cost. But most people who buy health insurance through HealthCare.gov or their state marketplace qualify for discounts because of their income. These discounts can lower the cost of health insurance by hundreds of dollars per month.
Don't forget to look at the total cost you'll pay when you go to the hospital with a Bronze plan, including your deductible, copays and coinsurance up to your policy's annual limit. Setting aside extra money into your savings account each month can protect you from stressful medical bills if you get sick or injured.
But here's a pleasant surprise: Subsidies can make health insurance almost — or in some cases completely — free. Roughly one-third of customers with Bronze plans pay under $10 per month for coverage.
Silver health insurance: Best cheap health insurance for average health needs
Silver plans offer the most affordable coverage for most people.
- Can get lower rates based on your income
- More expensive than Bronze, but covers more of the bill when you go to the doctor
- Only plan eligible for " cost-sharing reduction " discounts to lower the cost of medical care
A Silver plan is a better option if you want more coverage when you go to the doctor. 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.
Silver plans cost $621 per month, on average, at full cost. However, most people who have a Silver plan qualify for marketplace subsidies, with more than half paying under $10 per month for coverage. Plus, roughly half of all Americans with marketplace coverage can get extra discounts that help pay for your hospital bill that you can only get with a Silver health plan.
Gold health insurance: Best cheap health insurance for serious health care needs
Gold health insurance plans have high monthly rates, but you'll pay less when you go to the hospital.
- Expensive monthly rates, but you pay very little before coverage starts
- Plans typically cap your annual costs much lower than Bronze or Silver plans
- You can get discounts on Gold plans
Gold health insurance can make sense if you have an ongoing health problem. For example, someone with cancer may save money with a Gold plan because it’ll pay for a larger portion of their health care costs.
Gold plans cost $676 per month, on average. Keep in mind that you can get marketplace discounts with Gold plans. That means your monthly bill will likely be much lower. Roughly 13% of people with Gold plans pay less than $10 per month for coverage.
In some states, you can get a higher plan tier, called a Platinum plan. These plans have very high monthly rates, but they pay for nearly all of your costs when you get medical care.
Platinum plans cost $913 per month, on average.
A Platinum plan may be the most affordable option in some cases if you're very sick. But Platinum plans usually won't make sense if you want affordable health coverage, due to their high monthly costs.
Short-term health insurance
Short-term plans have cheap rates, but their many drawbacks make them a poor choice for coverage.
- Limited coverage
- Not available everywhere
- Restrictions on who can get coverage and for how long
- Easy to get
Short-term plans are a cheap way to get health coverage if you're outside open enrollment. These plans typically have affordable rates if you're younger or healthier, but companies can charge higher rates or deny you coverage based on your health history. Further, short-term plans often have much worse coverage than regular health insurance.
Short-term plans have major limitations. But they might make sense if you need bare-bones protection and don't have much wiggle room in your budget.
If you recently lost your health coverage, it's a good idea to see if you qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP). A special enrollment period lets you enroll in a marketplace plan outside of the normal open enrollment period that runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15 in most states.
Frequently asked questions
How can I get affordable health insurance?
The best way for most people to get affordable health insurance is to search for cheap Bronze plans on HealthCare.gov or your state's health marketplace. If you earn less than $21,000 per year (roughly $44,000 per year for a family of four), you may qualify for free government health insurance, called Medicaid.
What is the most affordable type of health insurance?
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.
How much does health insurance cost?
Health insurance costs $621 per month, on average, before discounts, for a 40-year-old with a Silver plan. Keep in mind that the amount you pay will depend on many factors, like your age, where you live, the company you choose, your plan tier and your income.
What happens if you cannot afford health care?
If you cannot afford health care because you have a low income, you probably qualify for health insurance discounts that can lower your monthly rate by hundreds of dollars per month. Many people who qualify for discounts pay less than $10 per month.
In most states, people who earn below about $21,000 per year ($44,000 per year for a family of four) qualify for free government health insurance called Medicaid.
What is the best affordable health insurance?
Kaiser Permanente has the best affordable health insurance for 2025. Bronze plans from Kaiser cost an average of $403 per month before discounts.
Methodology
Health insurance rates for 2025 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.
ValuePenguin ratings include an analysis of rates, customer service, coverage and unique features. ACA ratings are averages of the overall rating from HealthCare.gov and state marketplaces and include an analysis of member experience, medical care and plan administration. Subsidiaries are included in each parent company's analysis.
About the Author
Senior Writer
Talon Abernathy is a ValuePenguin Senior Writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. He's also contributed to other insurance verticals including home, renters, auto, motorcycle and flood insurance.
Talon came to ValuePenguin in 2023. Since his arrival, he's helped to expand the site's health insurance-related content offerings. He enjoys helping readers understand the ins and outs of America's all too complicated health insurance landscape.
Before coming to ValuePenguin, Talon worked as a freelance writer. His prior work has touched on a broad range of personal finance-related topics including credit-building strategies, small business incorporation tactics and creative ways to save for retirement.
Insurance tip
In many parts of the country, you can qualify for a free Silver health insurance plan if you meet certain income requirements. Government subsidies in the form of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions may mean you'll pay nothing for coverage.
Expertise
- Health insurance
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Flood insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
- Auto and motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- The Miami Herald
- Money.com
- MSN
- Nasdaq
- The Sacramento Bee
- Yahoo! Finance
Education
- BA, University of Washington
- Certificate in Copyediting, UC San Diego
Credentials
- Licensed Life & Disability Insurance Agent
- Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
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.
