How Much Does Health Insurance Cost Per Month in 2027?
What health insurance costs per month in 2026 and 2027, before and after tax credits. By income, age, ZIP code, plan tier and family size, plus Medicaid, COBRA, short-term and private-plan options.
Get My Free Quote ↓Quick answer: In 2026, the average Marketplace premium was $741 a month before tax credits and $178 after (CMS). For 2027 coverage under current law, a single person earning $15,960–$63,840 (100%–400% of the poverty level) pays 2.15%–10.22% of income for the benchmark Silver plan, about $180 a month at $31,920. Above that, there is no tax credit, so you pay the full price for your age and ZIP code.
Last updated: October 6, 2026
What You Need to Know
There are two answers to “how much does health insurance cost?” The first is the full (sticker) price, set by your age, ZIP code, tobacco use, plan tier and who you cover. The second is what you actually pay per month after any premium tax credit, which is set mainly by your household income. Two neighbors on the identical plan can pay very different amounts, and both prices are correct. This guide walks through both, using 2026 averages from CMS and the 2027 subsidy rules.
FreedInsure LLC is an independent brokerage; its licensed agent, Constantino Lardi (NPN 20230457), is licensed in 42 states. We compare coverage from 14+ health insurance carriers to find your best option, and our help is free to you. Call (844) 788-3733 or use the form below for personalized guidance.
This page covers: what people actually paid in 2026, what each type of coverage costs, your 2027 cost by income with worked examples, how age, location, family size and plan tier change the price, enrollment deadlines, the most common mistakes, and answers to 15 frequently asked questions.
Understanding Health Insurance Cost
Your health insurance cost has two parts: the monthly premium you pay to keep coverage, and what you pay when you get care (deductible, copays and coinsurance, up to the plan’s out-of-pocket maximum). Marketplace insurers can set premiums using only a few factors: age, location, tobacco use, plan category and whether the plan also covers a spouse or dependents. They can’t take your current health or medical history into account, and they can’t charge women and men different prices for the same plan (HealthCare.gov).
Average Health Insurance Cost in 2026: What People Actually Paid
2026 was the first plan year after the enhanced tax credits expired. CMS’s final 2026 Open Enrollment report shows how the averages moved:
2025 Open Enrollment (enhanced credits)
Average premium before tax credits: $619/month. Average paid after credits, across all enrollees: $113/month. 92% of enrollees got an advance tax credit.
2026 Open Enrollment (enhanced credits expired)
Average premium before tax credits: $741/month. Average paid after credits, across all enrollees: $178/month. 87% got an advance tax credit, averaging $650/month, and those enrollees paid about $96/month on average.
Read averages with care, including ours. That $178 blends every age, income and ZIP code. Below 400% of the federal poverty level, your price is a formula tied to your income; above it, it’s a market price tied to your age and ZIP code. Find your lane in the table below, then get your exact number. Why premiums rose in 2026 →
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is for anyone buying their own coverage: self-employed workers and 1099 contractors, people between jobs, college students, individuals aging off a parent’s plan at 26, early retirees before Medicare, families without an affordable employer plan, small business owners, and anyone comparing options for 2026 or 2027. If you’re 65 or older, Medicare is a separate system with its own enrollment window: Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. Start at Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Your Options and What Each One Costs
ACA Marketplace Plans
The ACA Marketplace (HealthCare.gov or your state’s exchange) sells plans from private carriers in four metal tiers: Bronze (the plan pays about 60% of covered costs on average; lowest premium), Silver (70%; the only tier with cost-sharing reductions), Gold (80%) and Platinum (90%; highest premium, lowest costs when you get care). Every plan covers the 10 essential health benefits and pre-existing conditions, and caps your in-network out-of-pocket costs at no more than $12,000 for one person ($24,000 for a family) in 2027. Premium tax credits are based on income; in 2026, 29% of HealthCare.gov enrollees picked a plan with a $0 premium after credits (CMS). Check your subsidy →
Medicaid and CHIP
Medicaid and CHIP are free or low-cost. In the 41 states (including DC) that have expanded Medicaid, adults with income up to about 138% of the federal poverty level (about $22,025 a year for one person under the 2026 guidelines) can usually qualify, and you can apply any time of year. If Medicaid is your best option, we’ll tell you and point you to your state’s application.
COBRA
COBRA lets you keep your former employer’s group plan, usually for up to 18 months after a job loss. The plan can charge you up to 102% of its full cost, including the share your employer used to pay (U.S. Department of Labor), so COBRA often costs far more than your old paycheck deduction. Losing job-based coverage also opens a Special Enrollment Period for a Marketplace plan, where a tax credit may apply. COBRA vs. Marketplace → COBRA cost guide →
Private PPO and EPO Plans Sold Outside the Marketplace
FreedInsure also offers group-style PPO and EPO plans sold outside the ACA Marketplace. They use the Cigna PPO network and are not insured by Cigna. Plans in this category we see often run roughly $500–$950/month for a healthy single adult, depending on age, state, network and underwriting (roughly $1,000–$1,800/month for a couple, $950–$1,700 for one adult plus children, and $1,600–$2,300 for a family). Premium isn’t the whole cost: in the plan documents we reviewed, stated in-network deductibles ran about $5,000–$9,000 for one person, with stated in-network out-of-pocket limits of about $6,000–$9,000. You can apply outside Open Enrollment, but approval depends on each plan’s eligibility and underwriting rules, and the start date depends on the plan. How private plans work →
Price ranges are examples of monthly quotes we commonly see as of fall 2026, not offers or guarantees. Your rate depends on age, state, household size, network, plan design and each plan’s eligibility and underwriting rules. Premiums are separate from what you pay when you get care (deductibles, copays and coinsurance). Some quotes in this range include a separate hospital and accident gap policy. Monthly rates for some plans include a separate hospital and accident gap plan. Gap benefits are subject to that policy’s own terms, limits and exclusions. The medical plan’s deductible and cost sharing are shown before any gap benefit.
Straight talk: A plan sold outside the Marketplace can cost less than a full-price ACA plan if you’re healthy, earn too much for a tax credit, or want a specific network. But if you qualify for a tax credit or Medicaid, have a pre-existing condition, are pregnant or planning to be, or take expensive medications, an ACA plan is usually the safer buy, and the only way to get the premium tax credit is through the Marketplace. We’ll price both side by side before you decide. Call (844) 788-3733.
When a private plan can make sense
Your income is above 400% of the poverty level (about $63,840 for one person for 2027 coverage), so an ACA plan would be full price. You’re healthy, use little care and take only generic drugs. You want a plan that uses the Cigna PPO network, and your doctors are in it. You accept higher stated deductibles, limits and exclusions, and you’re eligible under the plan’s rules (we confirm this before you apply).
When an ACA plan is the better call
You qualify for a tax credit (100%–400% of the poverty level) or Medicaid. You have a pre-existing condition or ongoing treatment: all Marketplace plans must cover pre-existing conditions. You’re pregnant or planning to be. You take expensive brand-name or specialty drugs, or you want a firm out-of-pocket ceiling ($12,000 for one person in 2027).
Important: Plans sold outside the ACA Marketplace may be subject to underwriting, age limits, state availability and each plan’s own eligibility rules. Not all plans are available in all states. Rates are not guaranteed and can change. Benefits, limits and exclusions are set by the official plan document or policy, which controls if it differs from this page. This page is a general summary, not a contract or an offer of coverage. These plans are not sold through the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace (HealthCare.gov or your state’s exchange) and are not individual-market ACA plans. You can’t use a premium tax credit or cost-sharing reduction to pay for them. As HealthCare.gov puts it, “the only way to get the premium tax credit is through the Marketplace.” The Cigna PPO network is a provider network, not an insurance company, and it doesn’t pay claims. A plan that uses the Cigna PPO network sets its own benefits and pays claims through its own administrator. Before you get care, confirm your doctor or facility is in network using the directory and phone number on your plan ID card.
Short-Term Medical
Short-term health insurance is a stopgap for gaps in coverage. Short-term plans are temporary coverage, and how long you can keep one depends on your state and the plan, from 3 months or less in some states to longer terms with renewals where state law allows. Some states, including Illinois, don’t allow them. They are medically underwritten, exclude pre-existing conditions and aren’t ACA-compliant, so they fit healthy people bridging to Open Enrollment or new coverage. You can apply outside Open Enrollment, but approval and the start date depend on the plan. Short-term options →
Supplemental Insurance
THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO HEALTH INSURANCE AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MAJOR MEDICAL COVERAGE. LACK OF MAJOR MEDICAL COVERAGE (OR OTHER MINIMUM ESSENTIAL COVERAGE) MAY RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PAYMENT WITH YOUR TAXES.
Hospital indemnity, critical illness, accident, dental and vision coverage adds benefits on top of your health plan; it doesn’t replace it. Hospital indemnity is fixed-indemnity coverage: it pays a set dollar amount per covered event, such as a hospital admission or day, no matter what the bill is. It has no out-of-pocket maximum, and you pay any charges above the scheduled amount. It isn’t major medical coverage and isn’t minimum essential coverage. Most supplemental policies can be applied for outside Open Enrollment; approval and start dates depend on the policy. Supplemental options →
Health Insurance Cost Per Month, Before and After Subsidies
Full Price (Before Subsidies)
If you don’t get a tax credit, your monthly price is the plan’s full premium for your age and ZIP code. According to HealthCare.gov, premiums can be up to 3 times higher for older people than for younger ones, insurers can charge tobacco users up to 50% more, and a plan that also covers a spouse or dependents costs more. For reference, the average Marketplace premium before tax credits was $741 a month in 2026, up from $619 in 2025 (CMS), but that average mixes every age, state and metal tier. Get a quote for your own age and ZIP code rather than relying on any average.
Why Your State and ZIP Code Matter
Where you live “has a big effect on your premiums,” according to HealthCare.gov, because competition, state and local rules, and cost of living differ from place to place. The same coverage can be priced differently from one market to the next, and some states run their own exchanges with their own enrollment dates, so check your state’s deadlines. For state-by-state options, see our guides for Florida, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina.
After Subsidies: Your 2027 Cost by Income
The enhanced subsidies that ran through 2025 expired and are not back for 2027 under current law. For 2027 coverage, if your household income is 100%–400% of the federal poverty level, the premium tax credit is set so you pay a fixed share of income for the benchmark (second-lowest-cost) Silver plan in your area (IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-26). 2027 coverage uses the 2026 poverty guidelines: $15,960 for one person and $33,000 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states and DC.
| Income (% of poverty level) | One person | Family of four | You pay for the benchmark Silver plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100%–133% | $15,960–$21,227 | $33,000–$43,890 | 2.15% of income |
| 133%–150% | $21,227–$23,940 | $43,890–$49,500 | 3.23%–4.30% |
| 150%–200% | $23,940–$31,920 | $49,500–$66,000 | 4.30%–6.78% |
| 200%–250% | $31,920–$39,900 | $66,000–$82,500 | 6.78%–8.66% |
| 250%–300% | $39,900–$47,880 | $82,500–$99,000 | 8.66%–10.22% |
| 300%–400% | $47,880–$63,840 | $99,000–$132,000 | 10.22% |
| Over 400% | Above $63,840 | Above $132,000 | No tax credit (full price) |
Dollar amounts are the 2026 poverty guidelines multiplied by each percentage (the 133% figures are rounded to the dollar). Within each band, your share rises with income. Medicaid usually applies below about 138% of the poverty level in expansion states, and Alaska and Hawaii use higher guidelines.
Worked examples for 2027 coverage (assumptions: the income shown is your Marketplace income (MAGI), you have no affordable job-based offer, and the 48-state + DC guidelines apply; the amount is what you’re expected to pay for the benchmark Silver plan):
• One person earning $23,940 (150%): 4.30% of income = $1,029 a year, about $86 a month.
• One person earning $31,920 (200%): 6.78% = $2,164 a year, about $180 a month.
• One person earning $47,880 (300%): 10.22% = $4,893 a year, about $408 a month.
• Family of four earning $66,000 (200%): 6.78% = $4,475 a year, about $373 a month.
• One person earning $64,000 (just over 400%): no tax credit, so you pay the plan’s full price.
Your tax credit is the benchmark plan’s full price minus your expected share. Pick a cheaper plan, such as Bronze, and you pay less, sometimes $0; pick a pricier plan and you pay the difference. Estimate yours with the 2027 subsidy calculator →
Why Age Barely Matters If You’re Subsidized
Below 400% of the poverty level, your expected share for the benchmark plan is tied to income, not age. As full prices rise with age, the tax credit rises with them, so a subsidized 30-year-old and a subsidized 60-year-old with the same income pay the same share for the benchmark plan. Age mainly hurts when the credit is gone: above 400%, the full age-rated price is your bill, which is why the 400% subsidy cliff hits households in their late 50s and early 60s hardest.
Family Coverage
Family premiums add up per covered member, but the income limits rise with household size too: a family of four can get a tax credit with income up to about $132,000 for 2027 coverage. If one spouse has a job-based offer, compare carefully before assuming a family Marketplace plan is cheaper, because an employer offer can affect who in the household qualifies for a credit. ACA income limits by household size →
Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSR)
If your income is 100%–250% of the poverty level (up to $39,900 for one person for 2027 coverage), Silver plans come with cost-sharing reductions that lower your deductible, copays and out-of-pocket maximum. For 2027, the out-of-pocket maximum drops from $12,000 to $4,000 for one person ($8,000 for a family) at up to 200% of the poverty level, and to $9,600 ($19,200 for a family) at 200%–250% (CMS). CSRs come only with Silver plans bought through the Marketplace, and they are separate from the premium tax credit.
Enrollment Deadlines That Affect Your Cost
Open Enrollment for 2027 Coverage
On HealthCare.gov, Open Enrollment runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1; enroll December 16 through January 15 and coverage starts February 1. State-based exchanges can set different dates, so check yours. During Open Enrollment anyone can enroll or switch plans, with no qualifying event needed. 2027 Open Enrollment guide →
Straight talk on auto-renewal: if you do nothing, you’ll generally be re-enrolled in the same or a similar plan for 2027, at 2027 prices and with your credit figured under the 2027 rules. Last year’s plan can be this year’s overpay. Re-shop and update your income estimate by December 15 for a January 1 start; it’s free.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
Outside Open Enrollment, you need a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage (including job-based coverage or a parent’s plan at 26), getting married, having or adopting a child, or moving. For a loss of coverage, you generally have 60 days before or after the loss to enroll (90 days after losing Medicaid or CHIP). Marketplace coverage then starts the first of the month after you pick a plan, or after your old coverage ends if you pick a plan before losing it. Complete QLE list →
Outside Open Enrollment
Medicaid and CHIP accept applications any time. You can also apply outside Open Enrollment for plans sold outside the Marketplace (private PPO and EPO plans, and short-term plans where your state allows them), supplemental coverage, dental, vision and life insurance, but approval depends on each plan’s eligibility and underwriting rules, and the start date depends on the plan. For guaranteed coverage with a tax credit, Open Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period is the route.
How FreedInsure Enrolls You
Call (844) 788-3733 or submit the form. An advisor calls within 15 minutes, compares plans, applies any tax credit you qualify for, and can enroll you over the phone. Your start date depends on when you enroll and the plan you choose (see the dates above). Our help is free to you.
Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Not Checking Your Subsidy
Many people assume they earn too much. For 2027 coverage, one person can earn up to $63,840 and a family of four up to about $132,000 and still get a tax credit. A 60-second check costs nothing. Check now →
Mistake 2: Lowest Premium ≠ Lowest Total Cost
Your yearly cost is premiums plus what you pay for care. A simple example with hypothetical round numbers: Plan A costs $200/month with a $9,000 deductible; Plan B costs $350/month with a $1,500 deductible. If a big medical bill uses up the full deductible, Plan A costs $2,400 + $9,000 = $11,400 for the year and Plan B costs $4,200 + $1,500 = $5,700, before any coinsurance. If you rarely see a doctor, Plan A’s lower premium can win, and since 2026, Bronze and catastrophic plans available through the Marketplace count as high-deductible health plans for HSA purposes (IRS Notice 2026-5). Calculate total cost = premiums + expected out-of-pocket. More ways to cut costs →
Mistake 3: Skipping CSR on Silver
If your income qualifies for cost-sharing reductions (100%–250% of the poverty level) and you choose Bronze instead of Silver, you give up a much lower out-of-pocket maximum: $4,000 instead of $12,000 for one person at up to 200% of the poverty level in 2027. If you take regular prescriptions or expect real care, a CSR Silver plan usually beats a $0 Bronze plan on total cost. A broker makes sure you don’t leave money on the table.
Mistake 4: Going Without Coverage
Hospital care is expensive: U.S. community hospitals spent about $3,297 per adjusted inpatient day in 2024 (KFF, from American Hospital Association data). That’s the hospital’s expense, not a patient’s bill, but it shows how quickly hospital care adds up for someone without coverage. An ACA plan caps your in-network costs for covered essential health benefits at $12,000 for one person in 2027.
Mistake 5: Auto-Renewing on an Old Income Estimate
Your tax credit is based on the income you expect for the year. Starting with tax year 2026, there’s no cap on repaying excess advance credits (IRS), so an estimate that’s too low can mean a large bill at tax time, and one that’s too high means you overpay every month. Update your estimate and re-shop every Open Enrollment.
How FreedInsure Helps
FreedInsure compares 14+ health insurance carriers simultaneously to find you the best rate and coverage for your specific situation. FreedInsure LLC is an independent insurance agency; its licensed agent, Constantino Lardi (NPN 20230457), is licensed in 42 states. Our help is free to you, and we’ll show you your ACA Marketplace options, including any tax credit you qualify for, next to any private plan.
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Sources
HealthCare.gov: How insurance companies set health premiums — age (up to 3 times higher for older people), location (competition, state and local rules, and cost of living), tobacco use, plan category and dependents.
HealthCare.gov: Coverage for pre-existing conditions — all Marketplace plans must cover pre-existing conditions and can’t charge you more for them.
HealthCare.gov: Health plan categories — how Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum plans split costs.
HealthCare.gov: Premium tax credit — eligibility for household incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.
IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-26 (PDF) — the 2027 applicable percentage table, from 2.15% to 10.22% of income.
CMS: Health Insurance Exchanges 2026 Open Enrollment Report (PDF) — average premiums before and after tax credits ($619 and $113 in 2025; $741 and $178 in 2026), tax credit shares and the $0-premium share (Tables 4b and 5).
HHS ASPE: Poverty guidelines — the 2026 guidelines ($15,960 for one person; $33,000 for a family of four) used for 2027 Marketplace savings.
CMS: 2027 cost-sharing parameters (PDF) — the $12,000 / $24,000 out-of-pocket maximum and the cost-sharing reduction limits for 2027.
HealthCare.gov: Dates and deadlines — Open Enrollment dates and coverage start dates.
HealthCare.gov: Special Enrollment Periods — 60-day and 90-day loss-of-coverage windows.
U.S. Department of Labor: Employer’s guide to COBRA (PDF) — 18-month coverage period and the 102% premium limit.
KFF: Status of state Medicaid expansion decisions — 41 states, including DC, have expanded Medicaid.
KFF: Hospital expenses per adjusted inpatient day — $3,297 for U.S. community hospitals in 2024 (American Hospital Association data).
IRS: Questions and answers on the premium tax credit — no repayment cap on excess advance credits for tax years after 2025.
IRS Notice 2026-5 (PDF) — Bronze and catastrophic Exchange plans treated as HSA-eligible high-deductible health plans.
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Important: Plans sold outside the ACA Marketplace may be subject to underwriting, age limits, state availability and each plan’s own eligibility rules. Not all plans are available in all states. Rates are not guaranteed and can change. Benefits, limits and exclusions are set by the official plan document or policy, which controls if it differs from this page. This page is a general summary, not a contract or an offer of coverage.
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