Cheapest Health Insurance in Maryland (2024 Plans)

Choosing a different metal tier can affect your health insurance costs. UnitedHealthcare offers the most affordable Bronze, Silver and Gold plans in Maryland, while Kaiser Permanente has the lowest-priced Platinum option. CareFirst BlueChoice provides the cheapest Catastrophic health plans for people under 30 or those who qualify with a hardship exemption.

If you're seeking to balance monthly premiums with quality claims and coverage, MoneyGeek also researched the best health insurance in Maryland.

The most affordable plan in the Silver tier in Maryland is the UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) plan offered by UnitedHealthcare with a monthly cost of $342. Silver plans are the most popular choice for consumers, thanks to their balance between costs and coverage. For those seeking to save on monthly rates at the risk of higher out-of-pocket expenses, Bronze plans are an available alternative.

Here are the most affordable health insurance plans in Maryland from each metal tier:

• Catastrophic: BlueChoice HMO Young Adult $9,450 from CareFirst BlueChoice ($143 per month for 26-year-olds)
• Bronze: UHC Bronze Value Plan from UnitedHealthcare ($256 per month)
• Silver: UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) from UnitedHealthcare ($342 per month)
• Gold: UHC Gold Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) from UnitedHealthcare ($336 per month)
• Platinum: KP MD Platinum 0/15/Vision from Kaiser Permanente ($429 per month)

Explore cheap health insurance plans to learn more about affordable options.

The UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) plan from UnitedHealthcare is the cheapest Silver plan available in Maryland, at just $342 per month.

The most affordable Silver health plans available in Maryland are:

• UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) from UnitedHealthcare ($342 per month)
• UHC Silver Value Plan from UnitedHealthcare ($346 per month)
• UHC Silver ($0 PCP, $3 Tier 2 Rx, No Referrals) from UnitedHealthcare ($347 per month)

Silver plans are ideal for individuals who expect to use moderate health care services. Customers may also lower their outlay through cost-sharing reductions, available to those who qualify based on income, making these plans even more cost-effective. Silver plans strike a balance between premiums and out-of-pocket costs, often resulting in reasonable monthly payments and lower costs when accessing health care services.

The most affordable Gold tier health plan in Maryland is the UHC Gold Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) offered by UnitedHealthcare, at a monthly cost of $336.

The top three most affordable Gold plans in Maryland are:

• UHC Gold Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) from UnitedHealthcare ($336 per month)
• UHC Gold Virtual Access (Unlimited $0 Virtual) from UnitedHealthcare ($338 per month)
• UHC Gold Value Plan from UnitedHealthcare ($348 per month)

Gold plans are ideal for customers expecting high medical usage as they feature lower out-of-pocket costs and predictable copays. These plans offer a good balance between monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, making budgeting for health care costs easier. They are particularly suitable for individuals or families prioritizing comprehensive coverage and financial peace of mind in their health care experiences.

The most affordable Bronze plan available in Maryland is the UHC Bronze Value Plan by UnitedHealthcare, with a monthly cost of $256.

Here are the three most economical Bronze health plans in Maryland:

• UHC Bronze Value Plan from UnitedHealthcare ($256 per month)
• UHC Bronze Virtual Access (Unlimited $0 Virtual) from UnitedHealthcare ($257 per month)
• UHC Bronze ($0 PCP, $5 Tier 2 Rx, No Referrals) from UnitedHealthcare ($257 per month)

Bronze plans are typically suitable for consumers who want lower monthly premiums and are comfortable with higher out-of-pocket costs when accessing health care services. These plans are a good fit for individuals who are relatively healthy and do not anticipate needing frequent medical care. The higher deductibles of Bronze plans mean the insurance company will start paying later, so they're best for those who primarily want protection from very high unexpected health care costs.

The most cost-effective Catastrophic health plan in Maryland is the BlueChoice HMO Young Adult $9,450 plan from CareFirst BlueChoice, with a monthly cost of $143 for 26-year-olds.

• BlueChoice HMO Young Adult $9,450 from CareFirst BlueChoice ($143 per month)

Catastrophic plans are for adults under 30 or those with a hardship exemption. These plans have low premiums but high out-of-pocket costs, making them suitable for consumers who want to minimize monthly expenses while still having a safety net for major medical events. People who expect regular medical visits or need frequent prescriptions may benefit from more comprehensive coverage if they can afford it.

In Maryland, the KP MD Platinum 0/15/Vision 40 plan from Kaiser Permanente offers the lowest monthly cost in the Platinum tier at $429.

• KP MD Platinum 0/15/Vision 40 plan from Kaiser Permanente ($429 per month)

Platinum health plans offer the highest level of coverage with the lowest out-of-pocket costs when accessing care. These plans are often most suitable for individuals who expect frequent medical care or want the peace of mind that comes with more predictable health care costs. With premium coverage, subscribers find value in reduced costs for services and prescriptions throughout the year.

In Maryland, HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans are the most popular choice for health coverage. Maryland's most affordable HMO plan is the UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) from UnitedHealthcare, costing $342 per month.

The most affordable Silver health plans by plan type in Maryland include the following:

• HMO: UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) from UnitedHealthcare ($342 per month)
• PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): BluePreferred PPO Value Silver $4,500 VisionPlus from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield ($526 per month)

Apart from HMO plans, individuals in Maryland can also choose PPO plans, which offer a more extensive network of providers and do not always require a referral to see a specialist. These alternatives cater to consumers who desire more flexibility in choosing health care providers.

Health insurance rates and availability of certain plans often vary by county, meaning individuals may find different options depending on where they live. However, MoneyGeek found that the cheapest Silver plan costs the same in Maryland's most populous (Montgomery) and least-populous (Kent) counties.

• UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Med Ded ($0 PCP) from UnitedHealthcare ($342 per month)

The following table details the cheapest Silver plans available in each county in Maryland.

In Maryland, age significantly affects health insurance rates within metal tiers. For example, an 18-year-old with a Silver plan pays around $321 monthly, while a 60-year-old with the same plan pays about $953, a significant increase of $632.

Metal tiers also reflect levels of coverage and cost-sharing; a Bronze plan generally offers lower monthly premiums with higher out-of-pocket costs when you need care, while a Gold plan offers higher monthly premiums but lower costs when you need care. A 40-year-old with a Bronze plan pays $352 per month, but if they opt for a Gold plan, it costs them approximately $450, which is $98 more monthly.

MoneyGeek carefully looked at all the health insurance choices in Maryland. We explore private insurance in the marketplace, which comes in different metal levels: Catastrophic, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. We also cover information about Medicaid and Medicare. We aim to help users understand their options so they can choose the right health care for themselves.

The open enrollment period for private health insurance in Maryland typically runs from November 1 to December 15 each year for coverage starting on January 1. This period allows residents to shop for, compare and purchase health insurance plans through Maryland's state-run exchange, Maryland Health Connection. If you miss the deadline, you may still obtain coverage if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) due to life events such as marriage, child birth or loss of other health coverage. Outside of these times, you would have to wait until the next open enrollment period to sign up unless you qualify for Medicaid or the Maryland Children's Health Program (MCHP), which allows enrollment year-round.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program designed to provide health care coverage to individuals and families with low income. In Maryland, eligibility for Medicaid depends on various factors, including income, household size, disability, pregnancy and age. Each category has specific income limits set as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level. Maryland residents must meet these criteria and be U.S. citizens or qualifying non-citizens to qualify for Medicaid benefits. The program aims to ensure that eligible individuals can access essential health care services without the burden of unaffordable costs.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for people aged 65 or older, though it also serves individuals under 65 with certain disabilities or End-Stage Renal Disease. In Maryland, as in the rest of the United States, eligibility is typically based on age or disability status.

Medicare comprises several parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care and some home health care. Part B (Medical Insurance) covers certain doctor services, outpatient care, medical supplies and preventive services. Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans) is an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits through private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) adds prescription drug coverage.

MoneyGeek found the Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Maryland, along with the best Medicare Supplement plans in Maryland.

When looking for health insurance, you may have questions about cost and availability. MoneyGeek responded to frequently asked questions about cheap private health insurance in Maryland to help you learn more.