Best Health Insurance in North Dakota (2026)

Key Takeaways

Sanford Health Plan offers the best health insurance in North Dakota, providing an optimal balance of monthly premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.

Sanford Health Plan provides the cheapest health insurance in North Dakota, though its deductibles rank as the second most affordable option.

Compare quotes from multiple North Dakota insurers, evaluate coverage limits and provider networks, and verify your preferred doctors participate in the plan.

Best Health Insurance Companies in North Dakota

Sanford Health Plan is the best health insurance company, while Medica offers another strong option for residents seeking quality coverage in the state. Sanford Health Plan offers both HMO and PPO plans, Medica provides HMO coverage, and Blue Cross Blue Shield offers PPO plans. We focused our detailed analysis on the two HMO providers.


Sanford Health Plan	$484	$5,881	$2,748	4.5	Sanford Individual True $3,500
Medica	$696	$5,950	$2,305	4.0	Essentia Choice Care With Medica Silver Share

*Our picks are the best health insurance options for 40-year-olds looking for Silver-tier HMO plans.

Sanford Health Plan

MoneyGeek Rating

4.5/ 5

5/5Affordability

2.5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$484
Average MOOP
$5,881
Average Deductible
$2,748

pros
- Ranks first in North Dakota for overall affordability
- Low $1,406 deductibles available on Gold plans
- Coverage options span from Catastrophic through Gold tiers
- Offers both HMO and PPO network structures
cons
- Catastrophic plans carry high $10,600 deductibles and limits
- Gold plans have higher out-of-pocket maximums than Silver
Sanford Health Plan offers both HMO and PPO coverage across all metal tiers in North Dakota. A 40-year-old pays around $315 monthly for Catastrophic coverage, $398 for Expanded Bronze, $484 for Silver and $509 for Gold plans. Deductibles vary by tier.

Catastrophic plans down to $1,406 for Gold coverage, while out-of-pocket maximums range from $5,881 to $10,600. Premiums increase substantially with age, with 60-year-olds paying $669 to $1,080 monthly depending on the metal level. Catastrophic plans are available for younger enrollees seeking basic coverage at lower monthly costs.

Sanford Health Plan North Dakota health insurance plans for 2026:

Data filtered by:


Sanford Individual True $10,600	$315	HMO	Catastrophic	$10,600	$10,600	Yes
Sanford Individual Simplicity $10,600	$383	PPO	Catastrophic	$10,600	$10,600	Yes

MEDICA

MoneyGeek Rating

4/ 5

4.2/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

2.5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$696
Average MOOP
$5,950
Average Deductible
$2,305

pros
- Competitive affordability with strong cost management across metal tiers
- Low $1,500 deductibles available on Gold plan options
- Lower maximum out-of-pocket limits on Gold coverage
- Plan availability across Expanded Bronze, Silver and Gold metal tiers
cons
- Limited to HMO network structures only
- Higher deductible exposure on Bronze plan options
Medica provides HMO coverage across multiple metal tiers in North Dakota, offering solid options for different budgets and health care needs. A 40-year-old pays around $479 monthly for Expanded Bronze coverage with a $5,750 deductible, while Gold plans average at $704 per month with much lower $1,500 deductibles.

Silver costs about $696 monthly with a $2,305 deductible. Out-of-pocket maximums range from $5,725 for Gold to $7,800 for Expanded Bronze. Premiums increase with age, with 60-year-olds paying $1,018 to $1,494 monthly depending on the tier. Catastrophic plans are available for younger adults seeking basic coverage at lower costs.

Medica North Dakota health insurance plans for 2026:

Data filtered by:


Essentia Choice Care With Medica Expanded Bronze Standard	$423	HMO	Expanded Bronze	$7,500	$5,625	Yes
Essentia Choice Care With Medica Bronze Share	$381	HMO	Expanded Bronze	$7,950	$6,000	Yes
Essentia Choice Care With Medica Bronze $0 Copay Pcp Visits	$416	HMO	Expanded Bronze	$7,950	$5,625	Yes
Altru Prime By Medica Expanded Bronze Standard	$475	HMO	Expanded Bronze	$7,500	$5,625	Yes
Altru Prime By Medica Bronze Share	$427	HMO	Expanded Bronze	$7,950	$6,000	Yes
Altru Prime By Medica Bronze $0 Copay Pcp Visits	$466	HMO	Expanded Bronze	$7,950	$5,625	Yes
Medica Individual Choice Expanded Bronze Standard	$571	HMO	Expanded Bronze	$7,500	$5,625	Yes
Medica Individual Choice Bronze $0 Copay Pcp Visits	$602	HMO	Expanded Bronze	$7,950	$5,625	Yes
Medica Individual Choice Bronze Share	$552	HMO	Expanded Bronze	$7,950	$6,000	Yes

Best Health Insurance in North Dakota by Category

North Dakota health insurance rates vary by age, plan type and metal tier. Silver-tier premiums range from $345 to $1,417 monthly across different demographics.

By Age:

Teens (18): Sanford Health Plan HMO plans cost $345 monthly, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans cost $477, and Sanford PPO coverage runs $422.
Young adults (26): Sanford leads with HMO coverage at $387 monthly. Blue Cross Blue Shield charges $535 for PPO plans, while Sanford PPO plans cost $473.
Adults (40): Sanford HMO plans cost $484 monthly, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans run $667, and Sanford PPO plans cost $591.
Seniors (60): Sanford charges $1,027 monthly for HMO plans, Blue Cross Blue Shield charges $1,417 for PPO coverage, and Sanford charges $1,255 for PPO plans.

By Plan Type:

PPO: Blue Cross Blue Shield offers premium PPO coverage, charging 40-year-olds $667 monthly with a $2,181 deductible and $5,521 MOOP.
HMO: Sanford Health Plan is North Dakota's only HMO provider, charging 40-year-olds $484 monthly with a $2,748 deductible and $5,881 MOOP.
HSA-eligible: Blue Cross Blue Shield charges 40-year-olds $731 monthly with a $3,500 deductible and $7,500 MOOP.

*All rates are averages based on Silver plans for the given category.

Compare North Dakota Health Insurance Providers

Premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs differ among North Dakota insurers. Filter results by age, metal level, plan type and HSA eligibility.

Data filtered by:


Sanford Health Plan	$484	HMO	Silver	$5,881	$2,748	40	No
Medica	$696	HMO	Silver	$5,950	$2,305	40	No

How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in North Dakota

Choosing health insurance in North Dakota means weighing premiums against deductibles, network access and coverage limits.

1
Assess Your Healthcare Needs
Review your current medications, planned procedures and how often you visit doctors to determine which coverage level makes sense.
2
Compare Multiple Insurer Quotes
Request rates from at least three North Dakota health insurance companies to spot price differences and coverage variations.
3
Check Provider Networks
Verify your preferred doctors, specialists and hospitals accept plans you're considering. Out-of-network care costs more and may require full payment upfront.
4
Review Cost-Sharing Terms
Higher deductibles lower monthly premiums but increase upfront costs when you need care. Your out-of-pocket maximum caps annual expenses, limiting your total costs.
5
Evaluate Plan Types
HMOs, PPOs, EPOs and POS plans are found nationwide, and each offers different trade-offs. HMOs require referrals but cost less, while PPOs offer flexibility to see specialists without approval at higher premiums. EPOs and POS plans fall between these options, providing moderate flexibility and costs.
6
Explore Federal Programs
Subsidies and Medicare plans make health insurance more affordable for qualifying North Dakota residents. If you have a low income, a qualifying disability or are 65 or older, explore Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement options to reduce your healthcare costs .

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in North Dakota?

North Dakota health insurance costs vary by plan type and metal tier. HMO plans offer more affordable Silver coverage at $643 per month, while PPO plans provide the cheapest Gold option at $621 per month.

Bronze and Platinum tiers are not available from major plan types in the state.

PPO plans typically cost more for Silver coverage at $685 monthly but offer greater provider flexibility than HMO options. EPO and POS plans are not available in North Dakota.


HMO	No Data	$643	$668	No Data
PPO	No Data	$685	$621	No Data

*Rates are averages for 40-year-olds in North Dakota. Your rates will vary based on your age and location.

Best Health Insurance in North Dakota: Bottom Line

Sanford Health Plan and Medica lead North Dakota's health insurance market for 2026. Sanford Health Plan offers the best balance of affordable premiums and solid coverage, while Medica charges higher monthly rates but provides lower deductibles for those who prefer reduced upfront costs.

Best North Dakota Health Insurance: FAQ

North Dakota residents frequently ask about enrollment deadlines, state coverage requirements and coordinating multiple health plans:

How do I get health insurance in North Dakota?

North Dakota residents can get health insurance through Healthcare.gov, directly from insurance companies, or with help from licensed brokers. Open enrollment runs from November 1 through January 15 for 2026 coverage.

You may qualify for special enrollment after major life changes like marriage, job loss, or moving. Employer group plans are also widely available.

Are you required to have health insurance in North Dakota?

North Dakota doesn't require health insurance, and you won't have penalties for going without coverage. However, being uninsured means you'll pay the full cost of medical care out of pocket.

Can you have multiple health insurance plans in North Dakota?

Yes, you can have multiple health insurance plans in North Dakota. Through coordination of benefits, your primary plan pays first, and your secondary plan may cover remaining eligible expenses. This occurs when both spouses have employer-sponsored coverage or when combining Medicare with supplemental insurance.

Our Review Methodology

North Dakota's health insurance market features mostly HMO plans. We focused heavily on monthly premiums since they represent your biggest ongoing expense. We also factored in financial protection limits and upfront costs that affect your total yearly spending.

Our Scoring System

We weighted three cost factors:

Monthly premium (60%): Your recurring monthly payment carries the most weight. Lower premiums earn higher scores.
Maximum out-of-pocket (20%): This caps your total yearly costs beyond premiums. Lower limits score better.
Deductible (20%): What you pay before coverage kicks in. Lower deductibles get higher scores.

Scores are adjusted for each filter combination. In Silver-tier HMO plans, the top provider gets a 5 out of 5 score. All others are ranked relative to that leader.

Sample Consumer Profile

We reviewed all 2026 North Dakota plans for ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Pricing shows 40-year-old rates unless noted otherwise. Our analysis covers Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers.

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!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

Read Full Bio »

Best Health Insurance in North Dakota (2026)

Best Health Insurance Companies in North Dakota

Best Health Insurance in North Dakota by Category

Compare North Dakota Health Insurance Providers

How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in North Dakota

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in North Dakota?

Best Health Insurance in North Dakota: Bottom Line

Best North Dakota Health Insurance: FAQ

How do I get health insurance in North Dakota?

Are you required to have health insurance in North Dakota?

Can you have multiple health insurance plans in North Dakota?

Our Review Methodology

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