The cost of health insurance increased by 4% across the nation between 2023 and 2024, and affordable healthcare has become a major concern for many Americans.
Some states, however, provide quality medical services at low costs compared to others. They aim to make healthcare accessible and affordable. This article explores the states recognized for keeping healthcare costs manageable.
1. New Hampshire
The average cost of health insurance in New Hampshire is $373 per month for a 40-year-old buying a Silver plan, about 28% more per month for a Silver plan than a 21-year-old, According to ValuePenguin. Anthem has the cheapest health insurance plans in New Hampshire across all four tiers of coverage. Rates for Bronze and Gold plans decreased by 2%. Obamacare health insurance plans are available in New Hampshire on HealthCare.gov.
2. Indiana
CareSource Marketplace Silver costs only $374 per month for a 40-year-old individual in Indiana. While Bronze and Silver plans have increased by 3%, Gold plans have only increased by 2%. Generally, a married couple of two 40-year-olds will pay $872 monthly for coverage, while a parent with one child will pay $697. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, recently renamed Elevance, sells 48% of health insurance plans in Indiana.
3. Rhode Island
At $380 per month for a 40-year-old, Neighborhood Community is the cheapest Silver health insurance plan in all five Rhode Island counties. Healthcare quality and access in the state are also impressive, as Rhode Island ranks second in affordability.
4. Maryland
The average cost of health insurance for a 40-year-old Virginia resident with a Silver plan is $409 per month. Sentara offers the cheapest Bronze and Gold plans in Virginia. Meanwhile, Innovation Health has the cheapest Silver plan, and Kaiser Permanente provides the cheapest Platinum plan. For those interested, Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace offers a platform where residents can purchase health insurance.
5. Virginia
The average cost of health insurance for a 40-year-old Virginia resident with a Silver plan is $409 per month. Sentara offers the cheapest Bronze and Gold plans in Virginia. Meanwhile, Innovation Health has the cheapest Silver plan, and Kaiser Permanente provides the cheapest Platinum plan. For those who are interested, Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace offers a platform where residents can purchase health insurance.
6. Minnesota
UCare Minnesota and Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) provide the most affordable health insurance plans in most of Minnesota. Obamacare, which is $423 per month for a 40-year-old buying a Silver plan, is also the exact cost for a 40-year-old buying health insurance in Minnesota.
However, many shoppers in Minnesota receive health insurance subsidies, which lower the insurance cost based on their income. Those eligible for subsidies in Minnesota pay an average of $203 monthly.
7. Arkansas
In Arkansas, health insurance costs $461/month for a 40-year-old with a Silver plan. For a family of three, a Silver policy averages $1,200/month, plus $276/month per child added. Only three companies sell health insurance on HealthCare.gov. Despite not having the lowest rates, Arkansas BCBS has the highest ratings from HealthCare.gov and our experts, making it the best option in the state.
8. Idaho
Thanks to the state’s Reinsurance Waiver program, Idaho’s health insurance rates have declined over the last two years. The IAFN Silver 6500 plan from Regence is the top choice for cheap health insurance in Idaho. On average, a Silver plan costs $473 per month for a 40-year-old. Despite its higher costs, over half of all active health insurance plans in Idaho are Blue Cross plans.
9. Hawaii
Health insurance in Hawaii costs $490 per month for a 40-year-old with a Silver health plan. Kaiser Permanente’s KP HI Standard Silver plan is a cheap health insurance option in Hawaii for most people, priced at $457 per month.
Hawaii has a population of 1,435,138, with a median income of around $40,595. In 2024, it was recognized as the state with the most affordable healthcare and ranks number one in public health
10. Kentucky
In Kentucky, Ambetter is the cheapest for all coverage levels. Elevance Health (formerly Anthem) is the most popular, though CareSource has the best ratings. A 40-year-old pays an average of $497 monthly for a Silver plan. Bronze plan costs increased by 10% between 2023 and 2024.
11. Michigan
Approximately 78% of Michigan’s population is covered by Ambetter’s Clear Silver Silver health insurance, the cheapest Silver plan. For a 40-year-old with a Silver plan, Michigan’s average monthly health insurance cost is $497.
Additionally, Medicaid is available to pregnant women whose income is less than $29,000 in Michigan. Residents of Michigan will be able to choose from nine different health insurance companies on HealthCare.gov by 2024.
12. Washington
The Ambetter Cascade Select Silver is Washington’s most affordable Silver health insurance plan. It costs as low as $356 monthly, 29% less than the state average. The Community Health Plan of Washington Cascade Select Silver is the best option for most people in the state. The average cost of health insurance for a 40-year-old person in Washington is $503 per month for a Silver plan.
The Quest for Affordable Care
It’s hard to believe that the average monthly cost of private health insurance at a national level is $584 for a 40-year-old on a Silver plan. That’s a 4% increase for 2024. However, it’s essential to look closer at healthcare affordability and understand how to avoid getting eaten alive by high out-of-pocket costs, deductibles, and other expenses in this industry.
Fortunately, some cities stand out as beacons of hope, showing that access to quality healthcare does not require excessive costs.