Cheapest (and Best) Health Insurance in Raleigh, NC (2023)

Factors like location, age, plan type and healthcare needs significantly impact the cost of health insurance. MoneyGeek compiled and reviewed Marketplace data to determine which companies provide cheap health insurance in Raleigh. We also looked into each insurer's monthly premiums, maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs, plan options and claims denial rates to find the best health insurance provider in the city.

Since not every health insurer offers all plan types or metal types, you should shop around to find the best option. If there's only one company offering coverage in your area, take the time to explore its plans and tier options to select the most suitable one that aligns with your needs.

We evaluated insurers based on their cost, customer service quality and available plan options to find the best health insurance provider in Raleigh. Ambetter is our top pick for Silver plans, with an average monthly premium of $470 and a MOOP limit of $4,450. Aetna is our runner-up, which offers Silver plans averaging $451 per month and featuring a MOOP of $5,123.

Aside from the cost, it's important to consider other variables when looking for health insurance, including plan options, cost-sharing choices and customer service.

If you value affordability above all else, Ambetter offers the best cheap health insurance in Raleigh. Its Silver plans have an average cost of $470 per month and a MOOP of $4,450.

Health insurance costs often vary based on location and how you split medical expenses with your insurance provider. For example, plans with lower monthly premiums typically come with higher out-of-pocket costs.

The best health insurer isn’t always the cheapest. But if cost is an essential factor to you, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with the Marketplace metal tier system and understand how premiums and MOOP costs relate to each other to find the most affordable health insurance. Looking into deductibles, copays and co-insurance can also help you better understand plan pricing.

In Raleigh, Aetna is the most affordable Silver plan provider, with an average rate of $451 per month. The cheapest health insurance isn’t necessarily the best, but if you’re on a budget, Silver plans balance affordability and quality coverage.

Generally, the Health Insurance Marketplace groups plans into metal tiers — Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The less “valuable” metals like Bronze offer lower monthly premiums, but the tradeoff is often higher MOOP costs. Depending on the provider, Catastrophic plans may also be available. They are cheaper than Bronze but have age restrictions and less coverage.

The table below displays Raleigh's least expensive health insurers by metal tier with their average monthly premiums. We excluded Catastrophic plans since they are not available to everyone.

At an average cost of $433 per month, Aetna’s Silver S: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 Telehealth 24/7 is the least expensive Silver plan in Raleigh.

The table below shows the cheapest health insurance plans in Raleigh by metal tier, along with their average monthly premiums. Catastrophic plans were excluded since this tier is limited to those under 30.

Your age determines your health insurance costs, regardless of your location. Since your health care needs increase with age, insurers also increase your monthly premiums.

If cost is your top priority, Bronze or Expanded Bronze plans will almost always be the cheapest option. Catastrophic plans are even more affordable, but they have age requirements.

When shopping around for a lower-tiered plan, understand your provider's network to avoid paying out of pocket for out-of-network services. We listed some of Raleigh's cheapest Silver plan providers in the chart below.

Your health insurance costs increase as you grow older. Similarly, you pay higher premiums for higher metal tiers. Your age and chosen metal tier significantly impact how much you’ll pay for coverage. Check the graph below to see how health insurance costs vary based on age and metal tier.

Health insurance can come with a hefty price tag, but the good news is that you may be eligible for a health insurance subsidy based on your income. Generally, individuals earning between 100% and 400% of the FPL qualify. However, in 2022, the American Rescue Plan Act and the Inflation Reduction Act expanded access to subsidies by removing the previous cap of 400%.

If you don't qualify for subsidies, there are alternative options to explore. Medicare and Medicaid are affordable health coverage options for eligible individuals. While Medicare is typically available for individuals based on age, there are still opportunities to qualify for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) if your income falls between 100% and 150% of the FPL. Keep in mind that the income requirements may vary among states.

We addressed some frequently asked questions to assist you in selecting the best health insurance for your needs among the available providers in Raleigh.