Avera Health Plans provides the cheapest overall health insurance in South Dakota, with an average monthly premium of $389. While availability may vary, consider Wellmark of South Dakota and Sanford Health Plan for affordable health plans.
Most Affordable Health Insurance in South Dakota
Updated: June 11, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Avera Health Plans provides South Dakota's most affordable health insurance, saving policyholders an average of $327 per month compared to the state average.
Avera Health Plans offers top-rated full coverage Gold plans, with affordable pricing starting at $540 monthly.
Finding the cheapest health insurance starts with selecting a coverage level within your budget, checking your subsidy eligibility and comparing plans from several companies.
Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in South Dakota
| Avera Health Plans | $389 | $327 |
| Wellmark of South Dakota, Inc. | $566 | $151 |
| Sanford Health Plan | $698 | $18 |
*These plans reflect rates for 40-year-olds who aren't considered low-income.
Cheapest South Dakota Health Insurance Plans by Profile
While we've summarized the cheapest companies for most in South Dakota, the most affordable plan for you will differ widely depending on your desired coverage tier and age. Below are the cheapest companies by category for most in the area:
- Cheapest for Young Adults: Avera Health Plans ($389 monthly)
- Cheapest for Seniors: Avera Health Plans ($1,032 monthly)
- Cheapest Catastrophic Plan: Sanford Health Plan ($287 monthly)
- Cheapest Expanded Bronze Plan: Avera Health Plans ($394 monthly)
- Cheapest Silver Plan: Avera Health Plans ($486 monthly)
- Cheapest Gold Plan: Avera Health Plans ($540 monthly)
While these are a good measure of the most affordable plans, this only represents the cheapest for 40-year-olds (26-year-olds for young adults and 60 for seniors), and your cheapest company and plan may differ for your profile. So below, we've created a filterable table that you can modify for plan tier and age to find your lowest rate match.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Plan Level:Silver
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Age:40
| Avera Health Plans | Avera Direct Standard $5000 | $486 | $161 | $8,000 |
Cheapest Health Insurance Plans by County in South Dakota
Sanford Health Plan is the cheapest overall, most affordable and widely available provider of Silver plans in most counties. Below, you can review which company and plan are most affordable in your area.
| Beadle | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Brookings | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Brown | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Campbell | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Clark | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Clay | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Codington | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Corson | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Day | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Deuel | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Dewey | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Edmunds | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Faulk | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Grant | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Hamlin | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Kingsbury | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Lake | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Lincoln | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Marshall | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| McCook | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| McPherson | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Minnehaha | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Moody | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Potter | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Roberts | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Spink | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Turner | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Union | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
| Walworth | Sanford Health Plan | $444 | Sanford Individual TRUE Standardized $5,900 |
How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in South Dakota
Follow these steps to find affordable health insurance in South Dakota:
- 1
Determine coverage plan needs and affordability
Your coverage plan type and tier will differ widely depending on your personal health circumstances and income. Calculate how much income you can set aside for monthly premiums, considering your current health and risk for injury or disease based on location, age and lifestyle.
- 2
Find out your subsidy eligibility
People earning between $14,580 and $54,000 annually may qualify for premium tax credits, reducing costs by 40% to 100%. Those with incomes below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level ($36,450) can access cost-sharing reductions, decreasing out-of-pocket expenses up to 73%.
- 3
Consider federal programs for eligible age groups
If you're of suitable age, explore Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans. These plans may offer more affordable and flexible alternatives to traditional plans.
- 4
Review prescription formularies
Check insurers' prescription coverage for medications you regularly take. Choosing plans with lower-tier placements and reduced copays for your medications can optimize savings and ensure consistent and affordable access to necessary prescriptions, saving you hundreds of dollars each year.
- 5
Compare plans during Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment is from November 1 to January 15, but you may also qualify for Special Enrollment if you've lost your job, divorced or had a child. Consider the types of coverage available, customer ratings, associated costs and the plan's compatibility with your medical providers.
MONEYGEEK TIP: MAKE SURE TO APPLY PROMPTLY
To avoid technical issues, apply for coverage at least five days before the enrollment deadline. Prepare your income verification, Social Security numbers and immigration documents to ensure a smooth application process.
Most Affordable Health Insurance in South Dakota: Bottom Line
Avera Health Plans, Wellmark of South Dakota and Sanford Health Plan are South Dakota's most affordable health insurance companies. While we recommend these affordable options, you should compare as many plan types and tier quotes as possible from multiple companies to get the best deal.
Cheap South Dakota Health Insurance: FAQ
Below are frequently asked questions about finding affordable health insurance in South Dakota:
What is the cheapest health insurance in South Dakota?
Avera Health Plans offers the cheapest health insurance in South Dakota, with Silver plans starting at $389 monthly for 40-year-olds. Your ideal option may vary, so consider exploring other providers based on your income and coverage preferences.
What are the downsides of a cheap health insurance plan?
Compared to higher-priced plans, cheap health insurance has higher out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles and copays. More expensive plans reduce out-of-pocket expenses and offer more extensive health care coverage.
How We Decided the Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in South Dakota
MoneyGeek obtained data directly from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on available health insurance plans in South Dakota based on consumers aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60.
We considered the cheapest overall to be those with the lowest monthly premium costs for 40-year-olds, as most in the state are near this age demographic, and for simplicity. However, cheaper plans tend to have higher out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles, meaning you may pay more if you receive care.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.