Cheapest (and Best) Health Insurance in Arlington, VA (2024)

Premiums for health insurance vary depending on region, age, policy type, medical requirements and how many people are covered. MoneyGeek studied market data to determine which health insurance companies were the cheapest for Arlington, Virginia.

We reviewed monthly premium costs, out-of-pocket expenditures, plan options and claim denial rates to determine the best health insurance provider for certain demographics.

Not all plan types or metal tiers are offered by every company, so you should conduct research to find the ideal plan for you. If there is only one company that offers plans in your area, select the best plan or tier for your needs.

MoneyGeek reviewed Arlington's insurers based on affordability, plan options and customer satisfaction to determine the top insurers. The best options include:

• Aetna: MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100 (Average MOOP of $5,272; $372 average monthly premium)
• Cigna: MoneyGeek score of 76 out of 100 (Average MOOP of $5,271; $384 average monthly premium)

When shopping for the best health insurance in Arlington, cost shouldn’t be your only concern. Consider plan options and service reputation as well.

Our analysis found that Aetna is the most affordable health insurance provider for Arlington residents. It earned a MoneyGeek score of 87 out of 100 and offers a Silver plan for an average of $372 a month with a MOOP cost of $5,272. It’s a cheap health insurance option for those on a budget.

Premiums can vary depending on your location, age, health status and more. Consider other factors, such as the metal tier system, deductibles, copays and co-insurance, when assessing the cost of a health plan. These costs can add up quickly and must be taken into account when budgeting for health care.

Optima Health offers the most affordable Silver plan in Arlington, with an average monthly premium of $366. Note that the cheapest policy may not always be the best option for you.

Health insurance plans are categorized into metal tiers, including Catastrophic, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Bronze plans have low premiums, but Catastrophic plans are even cheaper. However, these plans come with age restrictions and limited coverage for certain services.

If cost is your main concern, Silver plans offer mid-tier coverage and cost-sharing reductions. In the following table, we've included the average monthly premiums for each metal tier in Arlington, excluding Catastrophic plans due to age requirements.

Health insurance plans in Arlington range from $163 to $852 per month, depending on the metal tier. Aetna offers the cheapest Silver plan in Arlington, called the Innovation Health - Aetna Silver S (Telehealth and $0 MinuteClinic Visits at CVS. It has an average premium of $343 per month.

The table below shows the average plan costs for the different health insurance providers in Arlington, excluding Catastrophic plans since this tier is limited to those under 30.

Aside from location, age is also an important factor to consider when purchasing health insurance. Those who are older tend to have more health care needs, resulting in more expensive insurance premiums.

Catastrophic, Bronze and Expanded Bronze plans are the most affordable options, with Catastrophic plans being the cheapest. There are age qualifications with these plans. It is essential to review the network when selecting a lower-tiered plan to avoid paying extra for out-of-network services.

The table below offers an overview of the least expensive providers for Silver plans in Arlington.

The cost of your health insurance is largely dependent on your age and metal tier. Your age is the main factor that affects the amount of health care you are likely to need, while the metal tier determines your premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. The graph below shows an estimate of the costs for different age groups across metal tiers in Arlington.

Financial assistance in the form of health insurance subsidies is available to those in certain low-income brackets. Subsidies were previously granted to reduce policy costs for individuals whose income ranged between 100% and 400% of the FPL. Recent legislation, namely the American Rescue Plan Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, has lifted this rule until 2025, allowing people with income levels over 400% of the FPL to also benefit from the cost reduction.

For those who do not qualify for subsidies, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicaid and Medicare are alternative options. Eligibility varies depending on the state, but individuals typically must have an income between 100% and 150% of the FPL. These programs provide a safety net for individuals who cannot afford health insurance premiums.

MoneyGeek answered the most frequently asked questions about health insurance in Arlington to help you find the best insurer and coverage option for you.