Cheapest Health Insurance in Ohio (2026)

Key Takeaways

The most affordable health insurance options in Ohio are Summacare at $579 monthly, followed by Ambetter at $632 and Molina Healthcare at $637.

Summacare provides the most affordable health insurance across multiple demographics in Ohio, including adults, young adults, children, seniors and teens, as well as HMO plans at $579 monthly.

Ohio's marketplace has a structural constraint that limits your options. Every plan available is an HMO, there are no PPO options and there are no Platinum-tier plans. That means all cost comparisons in Ohio happen within a single plan-type lane.

Summacare's lower premiums come with higher deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs. Its average deductible is $3,825 and its average maximum out-of-pocket cost is $6,634. Ambetter, the second-cheapest at $632 monthly, carries lower out-of-pocket exposure on several of its plans. For Ohio residents who use coverage regularly, the $53 monthly gap may cost less than the deductible difference in a year. Molina Healthcare rounds out the top three at $637 monthly. The seven remaining carriers in MoneyGeek's Ohio's rate data range from $648 (Antidote) to $807 for CareSource.

Cheapest Health Insurance Providers in Ohio

Ohio residents get the most affordable health insurance through Summacare at $579 monthly, delivering $112 in monthly savings compared to the state average. Ambetter follows as the second most affordable option at $632 monthly, while Molina Healthcare ranks third at $637 monthly.


Summacare	$579	$112	$6,948	$1,344
Ambetter	$632	$59	$7,584	$708
Molina Healthcare	$637	$54	$7,644	$648
Antidote Health Plan Of Ohio, Inc.	$648	$43	$7,776	$516
Oscar	$685	$6	$8,220	$72
Anthem	$685	$6	$8,220	$72
Medmutual	$730	$39	$8,760	$468
UnitedHealthcare	$730	$39	$8,760	$468
Paramount	$767	$76	$9,204	$912
Caresource	$807	$116	$9,684	$1,392

* We determine average monthly costs by rounding the mean of all monthly plan rates for each provider in Ohio. We calculate average monthly savings by comparing each provider's average rate against the statewide average to demonstrate the cost difference below the state benchmark.

Summacare wins every age group and plan type in Ohio except HSA-eligible plans. It leads on Bronze and Silver, though Ambetter wins Gold and Antidote wins Expanded Bronze. The carrier spread runs $228 per month, from $579 to $807.

Ambetter suits buyers who want lower deductible exposure. Its Gold-tier plans are $615 monthly with a $1,163 deductible, $36 more per month than Summacare but $2,662 less in deductible exposure. For the lowest monthly premium, Summacare at $579 is the stronger choice.

Molina at $637 monthly is worth comparing if Summacare's network doesn't cover your primary care doctor. If you want reduced deductibles, Ambetter's Gold plans cut out-of-pocket costs more than Molina's.

SummaCare

MoneyGeek Rating

4.4/ 5

5/5Affordability

3.9/5Deductible

3.3/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$579
Average MOOP
$6634
Average Deductible
$3825

pros
- Ranks first in Ohio for overall value and affordability
- Wide network of providers throughout Ohio
- Strong focus on preventive care services
cons
- Only offers HMO plans with no PPO or EPO options
- Authorization required for certain specialist services
Summacare ranks first in MoneyGeek's Ohio's rate data, with a perfect 5 affordability score and an average monthly rate of $579. Its Bronze HMO coverage starts at $259 monthly, while Gold HMO plans for older adults reach $2,012 monthly, rates run below the Ohio marketplace average across every metal level.

Summacare is the right starting point for most Ohio buyers, but only if your doctors are already in its network. Its dominance across every age group and plan type in our data is unusually wide for a single carrier, which tells me its pricing model is built for volume in a market with limited competition from plan types. For buyers who need a specialist regularly or want coverage flexibility, the $53 monthly savings over Ambetter may not hold up once referral requirements and network limits are factored in.
Summacare is a poor fit if you need to see a specialist without a referral or want access to out-of-network providers. It offers only HMO plans. If your primary care doctor is not in Summacare's network, the rate advantage disappears once you factor in out-of-network costs.

Most Affordable Ohio Health Insurance by Category

Summacare has the lowest rates for most age groups. Lower monthly payments mean higher expenses when filing claims, since deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums are higher. Age, plan type and metal tier all affect what you pay for health insurance in Ohio. Compare monthly premiums against deductibles and out-of-pocket limits before choosing a plan, the lowest premium does not always mean the lowest total cost.


Children	Summacare	$327	$3,922	$5,685	$3,061
Teens	Summacare	$390	$4,681	$5,685	$3,061
Young Adults	Summacare	$438	$5,250	$5,685	$3,061
Adults	Summacare	$546	$6,553	$5,685	$3,061
Seniors	Summacare	$1,160	$13,916	$5,685	$3,061
HMO	Summacare	$546	$6,553	$5,685	$3,061
With Health Savings Account Eligibility	Anthem	$664	$7,964	$5,267	$5,267

* These are average rates for all plan types and metal levels, with teens at 18 years old, young adults at 26 years old, adults at 40 years old and seniors at 60 years old. For plan type costs, we used average rates for 40-year-olds.

Summacare wins every age category, but it doesn't offer HSA-eligible plans. Anthem takes that category at $664 monthly, $85 more than Summacare's average monthly rate. For higher earners contributing to a health savings account, the HSA tax savings on Anthem's plans can close that $85 gap. Anthem is the better fit in that case despite the higher premium.

Most Affordable Ohio Health Insurance by Metal Level

For 40-year-olds in Ohio, Bronze plans start at $433 monthly with Summacare, while Antidote offers Expanded Bronze at $442 monthly.

Summacare's Silver plans average $546 monthly and Ambetter's Gold plans average $615 monthly with a $1,163 deductible. There are no Platinum-tier plans in Ohio.


Bronze	Summacare	$433	$5,193	$7,950	$6,000
Expanded Bronze	Antidote Health Plan Of Ohio, Inc.	$442	$5,299	$7,860	$6,135
Silver	Summacare	$546	$6,553	$5,685	$3,061
Gold	Ambetter	$615	$7,375	$6,213	$1,163

Using comprehensive Ohio data, we've identified plans that match your specific budget and situation.

Summacare's Silver plans average $546 monthly with a $3,061 deductible. Ambetter's Gold plans are $615 monthly with a $1,163 deductible.

That's $69 more per month for Gold, but $1,898 less in deductible exposure. A 40-year-old who expects one major medical bill in a year saves $1,070 on net: $1,898 less in deductible exposure minus $828 in additional annual premiums.

Cheap Ohio Health Insurance: Personalized Picks

When shopping for cheap health insurance, multiple factors affect your rate, including age, plan type, metal level and coverage needs. We've collected statewide data for Ohio to help you filter options based on your needs.

Data filtered by:


Oscar	Silver Classic Standard	$526	HMO	Silver	$5,657	$3,100	40	No
Oscar	Silver Simple Pcp Saver	$527	HMO	Silver	$6,161	$3,400	40	No
Oscar	Silver Simple Diabetes	$527	HMO	Silver	$6,143	$3,557	40	No
Oscar	Silver Simple Breathe Easy With Enhanced Copd Benefits	$528	HMO	Silver	$5,957	$3,571	40	No
Oscar	Silver Simple Chronic Care Ckm	$533	HMO	Silver	$6,200	$3,429	40	No
Antidote Health Plan Of Ohio, Inc.	Silver Complete 4 $0 Tier-1 Pcp Visits, $0 Antidote 24/7 Virtual Pcp/Urg/Chronic Care, $0 Core Rx	$533	HMO	Silver	$6,393	$4,400	40	No
Oscar	Silver Elite Saver Plus	$534	HMO	Silver	$6,007	No Data	40	No
Oscar	Silver Simple Women'S Health With Menopause Benefits	$537	HMO	Silver	$6,221	$3,517	40	No
Summacare	Summacare Silver 5000 1000 Rx With 3 Free Pcp Visits	$539	HMO	Silver	$5,564	No Data	40	No
Summacare	Summacare Silver 7000 With 3 Free Pcp Visits	$540	HMO	Silver	$5,493	$3,719	40	No

The filtered Silver HMO view for a 40-year-old shows a $13 monthly spread between the lowest-priced option (Oscar at $526) and Summacare's entry-level Silver plan ($539). That gap is narrow enough that deductible and out-of-pocket differences matter more than the premium in this tier. Check each plan's deductible before filtering by monthly rate alone.

How to Get Cheap Health Insurance in Ohio

The following tips will help you find cheap coverage.

1
Look Beyond the Cheapest Plans
Ohio's cheapest Bronze plan (Summacare, $433 monthly for a 40-year-old) carries a $6,000 average deductible. If you visit a doctor three times a year or fill regular prescriptions, your total annual cost can exceed what you'd pay under a Silver plan with lower cost-sharing. Run your expected usage against each plan's deductible and out-of-pocket maximum before deciding the lowest premium is the lowest cost.
2
Review Your Healthcare Spending
In Ohio, moving from Silver to Gold cuts your average deductible by $1,898, based on our analysis of Summacare and Ambetter plans. The Gold premium runs $69 more per month or $828 annually.
If you expect a major medical bill in the year, the deductible savings outweigh the premium increase. If you rarely file claims, Silver's lower monthly rate is the better fit.
3
Consider HMO Options
Every plan on Ohio's marketplace is an HMO. There are no PPO options. All plans require you to stay in-network. Summacare requires authorization for certain specialist services and other HMO plans on the marketplace may have similar referral requirements.

Before buying, call your primary care doctor's office directly and confirm they participate in your chosen plan's network. Rosters change year to year.
4
Verify Subsidy Eligibility
Premium tax credits can reduce your monthly payment well below the rates shown in this analysis. Households earning up to four times the federal poverty level qualify for financial assistance.

Check your eligibility at HealthCare.gov before comparing full-price rates. The after-credit price is the only number that matters for your budget.
5
Time Your Purchase Right
Ohio's open enrollment runs from November 1 through January 15. Outside that window, you can only enroll if you have a qualifying life event, job loss, marriage, having a child or moving to a new coverage area. Missing the window without a qualifying event means going without coverage until the next enrollment period.
6
Compare Provider Networks
Call your doctor's office directly to confirm they accept your plan before you buy. Switching plans mid-year is not permitted outside qualifying life events, so a network mistake at enrollment can mean out-of-network bills for your primary care visits all year.

Cheapest Health Insurance in Ohio: Bottom Line

Summacare has the lowest average rate in Ohio at $579 monthly, but the right plan depends on how you use your coverage. Healthy adults who rarely file claims will get the most value from its Bronze or Silver HMO plans.

If you expect regular medical visits or have a chronic condition, compare Ambetter's and Molina Healthcare's Gold-tier deductibles against Summacare's before buying on premium alone.

Ohio's marketplace has no Platinum plans and no PPO options, which limits flexibility compared to some states. Every plan requires in-network care, so confirming your doctors are covered before buying is essential in Ohio's HMO-only marketplace.

Affordable Health Insurance in Ohio: FAQ

Find answers to the most common health insurance questions for Ohio residents:

How do I get cheap health insurance in Ohio?

During open enrollment, compare plans across multiple metal tiers from companies such as Summacare, Ambetter and Molina Healthcare. Consider HMO plans for lower rates and check if you qualify for premium tax credits through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Balance monthly premiums against deductibles based on your expected healthcare needs.

How much does health insurance cost in Ohio?

In Ohio, health insurance averages $697 monthly or $8,367 annually across all plan types and metal levels. Monthly premiums span from $232 to $2,127 varying by age, chosen coverage tier and plan type.

Does Ohio require health insurance?

Ohio does not require residents to carry health insurance. Going without coverage leaves you vulnerable to medical expenses. It means you'll miss the annual Open Enrollment Period to obtain marketplace plans with potential premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions.

What is the difference between Bronze and Silver health insurance plans in Ohio?

Bronze plans have lower monthly premiums but higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. In Ohio, Summacare's Bronze plans average $433 monthly with a $6,000 deductible. Its Silver plans average $546 monthly with a $3,061 deductible. If you expect more than one or two medical expenses in a year, the Silver plan's lower deductible often saves more than the $113 monthly premium difference costs.

Can I get subsidized health insurance in Ohio?

Yes. Premium tax credits through HealthCare.gov reduce monthly costs for households earning up to four times the federal poverty level. Subsidies are based on household income and family size and apply to plans purchased through the federal marketplace. Check your eligibility at HealthCare.gov before comparing full-price rates, as the after-credit premium is the figure that matters for your budget.

Is Summacare available across all of Ohio?

Summacare is a regional carrier based in Ohio with a provider network concentrated in northeast Ohio. Its availability and network coverage vary by ZIP code. Buyers outside northeast Ohio should verify that their preferred doctors and hospitals participate in Summacare's network before selecting a plan, as coverage gaps are more common in areas outside its primary service region.

Our Methodology

We gathered plan data from the federal health insurance marketplace for Ohio, collecting rates across 10 carriers and all available metal levels for consumer profiles at ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Our cheapest overall rankings use 40-year-old monthly premiums as the primary benchmark because this age group represents the broadest comparable demographic across states.

Age-specific rankings reflect each profile's own premium costs. We included average deductible and maximum out-of-pocket figures alongside monthly rates because the lowest premium does not always produce the lowest annual cost. All data reflects plan year 2026 marketplace filings.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he has produced original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.

Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data. No insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.

Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). He began his career in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.

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