Best Cheap Health Insurance in New York for 2024
Costing as little as $513 per month on average, the Fidelis Care Silver plan is the best cheap health insurance plan in NY.
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No matter what plan tier you're looking for, Fidelis Care has the cheapest health insurance plans in New York. Independent Health and Highmark BCBS also tend to have low average rates. UnitedHealthcare is the most popular company, but its rates are more expensive than average.
A Silver plan costs $873 per month, on average, in New York.
CDPHP, Highmark BCBS and Independent Health are the best health insurance companies in New York, according to HealthCare.gov ratings. All three companies get the highest rating possible at five stars.
How much does health insurance cost in New York?
Health insurance costs an average of $873 per month in New York, for a Silver plan.
New York is one of a few states that don't use your age to determine your health insurance costs. Your rate also won't change based on your tobacco use. The only things that affect your Obamacare health insurance rate in New York are the plan level you choose, the number of people you insure and where you live in the state.
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If you go to the doctor often, you might want to consider a higher-tier plan, like Gold or Platinum. These plans cost more, but they also give you more coverage, which means you'll pay less for your health care. Lower-tier plans like Bronze cost less each month but mean you have to pay more when you go to the doctor.
Cheapest health insurance in New York
The best cheap health insurance in New York is the Fidelis Care Silver plan, which costs up to 41% less than the state average. No matter what level of coverage you are looking for, Fidelis Care has the cheapest plans, which are sold through a partnership with Ambetter.
Tier | Cheapest plan | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Fidelis Care Bronze | $395 |
| Silver | Fidelis Care Silver | $513 |
| Gold | Fidelis Care Gold | $664 |
| Platinum | Fidelis Care Platinum | $811 |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
NY State of Health vs. Obamacare
You can buy health insurance in New York through the NY State of Health marketplace. This is the New York equivalent of HealthCare.gov, also called "Obamacare."
New York health insurance works a bit differently from coverage in other states.
- Open enrollment: In New York, open enrollment is from Nov. 16 to Jan. 31. In most other states, it's Nov. 1 to Jan. 15.
- Age and tobacco use: Unlike in most other states, your age and tobacco use don't affect your health insurance rates in New York.
- Staying on a parent's plan: In New York, you can stay on a parent's plan until you are 29. In most other states, you have to get your own plan by age 26.
Finding your best health insurance coverage in New York
The best health insurance policy for you will depend on the plans in your area, as well as your medical needs and financial situation.
When deciding on the right plan, you can use the plan's tier to choose a health insurance plan that has the right level of coverage for your medical needs.
Gold and Platinum plans: Best if you expect high medical costs
Gold and Platinum plans are usually the best choice for people with higher medical costs or who take expensive prescriptions.
The plans often have the most expensive monthly costs but the best medical benefits, with lower deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. This means you can reach the deductible quickly and have a better limit on your health expenses.
Silver plans: Best if you have average medical needs
Silver plans are middle-ground policies that tend to fall between Gold and Bronze plans in both their monthly costs and medical benefits. This makes them a good choice for most people because they have a moderate level of coverage that's good for most situations.
For those who have a low income, Silver plans have an extra advantage. Those who have an income less than about $36,000 as individuals are eligible for cost-sharing reduction (CSR) subsidies, which help you to pay less for medical care.
Bronze plans: Best for young, healthy people
Bronze plans are some of the cheapest plans available in New York. But you'll also have higher out-of-pocket costs when you go to a doctor. You'll still have benefits like free preventive care, and you'll be protected from very high medical costs in situations where you need surgery or other expensive health services.
Bronze plans are best if you don't go to the doctor often and you have the savings to pay for your portion of your medical bills.
Catastrophic plans: Best as a last resort
Catastrophic plans should only be considered if you have good health and do not expect to have high medical costs. These plans can help save you from financial devastation if you have a serious illness or injury, but they also require you to pay a large portion of your medical care.
To sign up for a Catastrophic plan in New York, you must be under the age of 30 or meet the requirements for a hardship exemption. Also, Catastrophic plans are not eligible for premium tax credits, so you won't be able to lower your monthly rate. Because of this, Catastrophic plans might end up being more expensive each month than higher-tier plans with subsidies.
Medicaid and the Essential Plan: Best for those with low incomes
If you have a low income and can't afford health insurance, Medicaid can be a good option. In New York, you have to make less than around $20,000 as an individual or $41,000 as a family of four to qualify. If you are eligible, Medicaid can reduce or eliminate most of your medical costs.
New York also offers the Essential Plan, which gives you free health insurance. To qualify, single adults can make no more than around $25,000, and a family of four can earn up to around $52,400 per year. But you only qualify for the Essential Plan if you don't qualify for Medicaid or coverage from your job. You also have to be between 19 and 64 years old.
Are health insurance rates going up in New York?
On average, New York health insurance rates increased by 13% for 2024 compared to 2023. Gold and Platinum plans saw the biggest increases. New York is already one of the most expensive states for health insurance, and rates have increased since 2022. On average, a Silver plan costs $160 more per month for 2024 compared to 2022.
Tier | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Change (2023 to 2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $525 | $575 | $646 | 12% |
| Silver | $713 | $776 | $873 | 13% |
| Gold | $861 | $940 | $1,067 | 14% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in New York
Best cheap health insurance companies in New York
Independent Health and Fidelis Care offer the most affordable health insurance rates in New York for a Silver plan.
If plan quality is more important to you than low rates, consider CDPHP, Highmark BCBS and Independent Health. All three companies have a perfect five-star rating from HealthCare.gov. This means the plans offer good coverage and have high customer satisfaction.
Cheapest health insurance companies in New York
Company | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Fidelis Care | $644 |
| Independent Health | $661 |
| Highmark BCBS | $681 |
| Univera Healthcare | $722 |
|
| Highmark Blue Shield | $789 |
Average monthly costs are for a 40-year-old buying a Silver plan in NY.
Cheapest health insurance plan by New York county
In 49 of New York's 62 counties, Fidelis Care has the cheapest Silver plan. The cheapest health insurance in NYC is the SilverPlus plan from MetroPlus, which costs $805 per month, on average.
The cheapest plan for you will depend on your needs. It's a good idea to compare all the plans available in your area to get the best coverage at the best price.
County | Cheapest Silver plan | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Albany | Fidelis Care Silver | $594 |
| Allegany | Fidelis Care Silver | $513 |
| Bronx | MetroPlus SilverPlus | $805 |
| Broome | Fidelis Care Silver | $590 |
| Cattaraugus | Fidelis Care Silver | $513 |
Cheapest Silver plan with rates for a 40-year-old
Short-term health insurance in New York
Short-term health insurance plans are banned in New York. Most short-term plans typically do not cover essential benefits such as maternity care, mental health or prescription drugs, so short-term health insurance is not offered in New York.
Frequently asked questions
What is Obamacare called in New York?
Obamacare plans, also called Affordable Care Act plans, are sold on New York's state marketplace, NY State of Health. You can usually buy coverage between Nov. 16 and Jan. 31. If you've recently had a life change like marriage or a move, you may be able to buy coverage outside this time period.
How can I save money on health insurance in New York?
Health insurance tax credits, also called subsidies, can reduce how much you pay for health insurance based on your income and family size. In New York, there is also the Essential Plan, which provides free health insurance for people who have low incomes but don't qualify for Medicaid.
What plan tier of health insurance should I purchase on the New York exchange?
Silver plans are the best health insurance plans for most people because they are a middle-of-the-road option that balances medical coverage with monthly costs. Generally, younger and healthier people will get the best deal with a Bronze plan since they might not need the coverage as often. If you need expensive or complex medical care, consider a Gold or Platinum plan since it could provide the best benefits.
What is the best health insurance plan in NYC?
Anthem Blue Cross is the best health insurance company in New York City. It tends to have lower rates than other companies in the area, and its plans offer good coverage and customer satisfaction. The cheapest Silver plan in NYC is from MetroPlus. It costs $805 per month on average.
Methodology
ValuePenguin collected 2024 plan rates and information from New York's state health insurance exchange, NY State of Health. We gathered rates and plan details from every county in the state, then averaged the rates and sorted them by plan tier and other metrics. This allowed us to compare rates and find the cheapest providers in New York.
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.