The cheapest health insurance in Pennsylvania for most people is ambetter balanced care 30, which is the most affordable silver plan in 28% of counties in the state. The cheapest silver plan in the state is upmc virtualcare silver (network partner). however, this plan is only available in allegheny and erie counties.
Affordable health insurance plans in Pennsylvania are available through the state exchange, although some purchasers may qualify for Medicaid depending on their household income. in 2022, the average cost of health insurance in the state is $441 per month, remaining flat from 2021.
Reading: What is the best health insurance in pennsylvania
cheapest health insurance by metal level
we compare pennsylvania plans by metal level to help you find an affordable health insurance policy for your preferred level of coverage.
In addition to the metal level, the actual cost of a health insurance plan in Pennsylvania depends on the policy you choose, as well as your age and the number of people insured. for example, a young couple with no children will pay lower rates than an older couple with multiple covered children.
As you can see below, age alone has a significant impact on health insurance premiums at all levels.
but we recommend using them as a starting point to assess the benefits you can expect from a given level of coverage compared to premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
finding your best health insurance coverage in pennsylvania
where you live in pennsylvania and your income will determine the best health insurance plan available to you. Pennsylvania expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), so if your household income is up to 138% of the federal poverty level, you’ll qualify for this coverage in-state.
See also: Here&x27s why home insurance costs continue to rise in Florida
Many households may qualify for tax subsidies to help lower the cost of health insurance coverage for an exchange plan.
Health insurance plans on the Pennsylvania Exchange are divided into metallic tiers, which indicate a plan’s level of benefits, out-of-pocket costs, and monthly costs.
gold plans: best for expected high medical costs
Gold plans are the highest metal tier offered in Pennsylvania, and the plans have higher premiums but significantly lower out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
For example, people who take medications regularly can consider gold plans that have affordable out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs.
silver plans: best for average medical costs or people with low income
If you’re looking for a middle ground (health insurance with affordable premiums and out-of-pocket costs), we typically recommend looking at silver plans. Silver health insurance plans have lower out-of-pocket costs than bronze plans, but lower monthly premiums than gold or platinum policies.
Also, if you’re a low-income household, Silver plans are eligible for cost-sharing reduction (CSR) subsidies, which means you may qualify for even more affordable deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
bronze and catastrophic plans: the best for young, healthy people with savings
Lower-tier plans, like bronze and catastrophic plans, have lower monthly premiums, but your expenses will be much higher if you need medical care due to high cost-sharing features.
We have not included catastrophic plans in our cost analysis because these plans are not available to everyone and are not eligible for premium tax credits. You’ll only qualify for these policies if you’re under 30 or meet certain exemptions.
changes in health insurance rates in pennsylvania
See also: Apply for Benefits – FloridaJobs.org
Health insurance rates are determined by each health insurance provider and then submitted for approval to the federal exchange. By 2022, the cost of bronze and gold plans in Pennsylvania fell 4%. however, the cost of the silver plans increased by 7%, which is approximately $31 more per month.
short term health insurance in pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents can purchase short-term health insurance directly through providers outside of the health exchange. These policies, which can be purchased at any time during the year, can be a good option if you missed open enrollment or lost employer-sponsored coverage.
pennsylvania follows federal guidelines when it comes to short-term health insurance. initial coverage is limited to one year and policies can be renewed for up to 36 months.
health insurance companies in pennsylvania
There are currently nine health insurance companies listed on the Pennsylvania State Stock Exchange. available plans vary by county, but highmark or upmc policies are offered in most of the state’s 67 counties.
Among these insurers, upmc offers the absolutely cheapest plan in the state for every metal level, making it a great option for affordable health insurance.
cheapest health insurance plan by county
Insurers and health insurance plans available on the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Marketplace will vary depending on the county where you live. For example, the cheapest silver plan in Philadelphia is Ambetter Balanced Care 30, which costs $386 for a 40-year-old in the county. however, in pittsburgh, residents would pay $312 for upmc’s cheapest option.
To help you get started in finding your best affordable health insurance policy, we’ve identified the cheapest silver plan in every county in the state. Below you can see examples of monthly premiums for each of the plans based on your family size.
frequently asked questions
methodology
Pennsylvania health insurance plans and rates were compiled from the pennsylvania health insurance exchange authority (phiea). Average insurance costs were calculated by metal tier, county, and family size to provide an overview of the cost of health insurance for the state of Pennsylvania.
