How to Compare Health Insurance Plans and Coverage
Health insurance shopping looks different depending on what you’re comparing. Major medical and Medicare plans typically involve eligibility and enrollment period questions, while coverage like vision or pet insurance usually has a quicker application process. As you compare options on this page, you’ll be routed to the carrier’s own site to complete the appropriate application.
When comparing the health insurance plans we present to you, look beyond the monthly premium. Review provider networks, deductibles, and covered services side by side so you understand exactly what each health insurance quote and coverage option includes. A side-by-side comparison helps you spot the plan that actually fits your budget and health needs, not just the cheapest sticker price.
A few notes on the process:
- Privacy: To get you accurate health insurance quotes, we securely share the information you provide with our carrier partners. They use this information to assess risk and provide real quotes you can compare. We never share your information for unrelated offers or spam. See our Privacy Policy for details
- What to expect: After you compare health insurance quotes on this site, choose the one that works best for you, and complete the initial application, expect the carrier to follow up by phone or email to address any questions they may have, gather any additional details they need, and finalize your enrollment.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost?
Health insurance premiums vary by age, location, plan type, deductible, tobacco use, and household size.
Let’s look at some examples of what you might expect to pay on average for different plan levels in 2026.
According to KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation), the average 40-year-old is going to pay $639 per month for the second-lowest-cost silver plan on the marketplace. This number is considered the benchmark health insurance premium and can still vary widely by state. For example, the same 40-year-old will pay an average of $1,299 in Vermont, but only $401 in New Hampshire for that same plan.
Let’s break it down by plan level and look at the average lowest premium cost for each. Meaning, if you are 40-years-old and choose the cheapest health insurance plan on one of these levels, this is what you can expect to pay on average. We’ve also included the highest- and lowest-cost states to show the variance.
Average Lowest-Cost Plan Premium by Plan Level:
- Bronze Plan: $470/mo
- Lowest-cost State: Vermont – $824/mo
- Highest-cost State: Maryland – $283/mo
- Silver Plan: $624/mo
- Lowest-cost State: Vermont – $1,289/mo
- Highest-cost State: New Hampshire – $394/mo
- Gold Plan: $645/mo
- Lowest-cost State: Vermont – $1,135/mo
- Highest-cost State: Maryland – $404/mo
Data Source: KFF
As you can see, different states have wildly different costs. The reasons for this vary as much as the premiums.
Vermont has higher costs because of low competition in the market, no premium age rating (they can’t charge older citizens more than younger, which brings the cost up for everyone), a smaller, older population, and high hospital costs.
Maryland, on the other hand, has a large number of competing commercial insurers, an “all-payer” model where hospital procedures have fixed rates that prevent price gouging, and a reinsurance cushion that covers most catastrophic medical cases.
HMO vs. PPO vs. EPO vs. POS: What’s the Difference?
The most common health plan types differ in how much flexibility you get to choose doctors and specialists, and what you pay for it:
- HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): Lower cost than PPO, but you’re limited to an in-network provider list that you have to choose from for your primary care physician, and you usually need a referral to see a specialist.
- PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): Costs more than an HMO plan but offers more flexibility to see out-of-network providers and specialists without a referral. Beneficial when traveling often or if doctor choice is a priority/need.
- EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization): Similar to an HMO’s network restrictions, but typically no referral required for specialists. Less common than HMO and PPO.
- POS (Point of Service): A hybrid of HMO and PPO plans; referrals are usually required, and out-of-network care is covered at a higher cost. Also less common than HMO and PPO.
Still not sure what’s right for you? Read: How To Choose the Right Health Insurance Plan for You