Cheapest New York Health Insurance Plans (2024)

Several metal tiers with varying premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs are available in New York. In addition to Silver plans, Independent Health also offers the least expensive Bronze, Gold and Platinum plans. Meanwhile, Fidelis Care provides the most affordable Catastrophic plan.

If you are looking to balance monthly premiums with quality claims and coverage, MoneyGeek analyzed the best health insurance in New York.

For the average New Yorker, the cheapest Silver health insurance is the iDirect Silver Copay HSAQ Silver NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25 plan from Independent Health.

Health insurance costs vary based on the metal tier. Higher metal tiers offer more coverage, but the trade-off is more expensive premiums. These are the most affordable health insurance plans by metal tier:

• Catastrophic: Fidelis Care Catastrophic, Catastrophic, ST, INN, Fidelis Care HBX Network, Pediatric Dental, 3 Free PCP Visits, Free Telemedicine from Fidelis Care ($187 per month for a 26-year-old)
• Bronze: iDirect Bronze MV Bronze NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25 from Independent Health ($363 per month)
• Silver: iDirect Silver Copay HSAQ Silver NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25 from Independent Health ($503 per month)
• Gold: iDirect Gold Copay HSAQ Gold NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25 from Independent Health ($615 per month)
• Platinum: FlexFit Platinum NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25 from Independent Health ($743 per month)

Because more valuable metal tiers have lower MOOP costs, you will spend less out of pocket when you need medical attention. However, you will have higher monthly premiums.

New York’s most affordable Silver plan is iDirect Silver Copay HSAQ Silver NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25 from Independent Health, costing an average of $503 monthly. The top three cheapest plans in this tier are:

• iDirect Silver Copay HSAQ Silver NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25 from Independent Health: $503 per month
• iDirect Silver Copay HSAQ Silver NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep29 from Independent Health: $508 per month
• Max Silver NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25 from Independent Health: $509 per month

Silver plans are a popular option for health insurance because they offer a balance of affordable premiums and low MOOP costs. Cost-sharing reductions are also available for qualified individuals.

MoneyGeek's recommendations in this section focus on the OON plan type because it the most accessible for residents of New York.

Independent Health’s iDirect Gold Copay HSAQ Gold NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25 is the least expensive Gold plan in New York. On average, it costs $615 per month. The three cheapest Gold plans in the state are:

• iDirect Gold Copay HSAQ Gold NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25 from Independent Health: $615 per month
• iDirect Gold Copay HSAQ Gold NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep29 from Independent Health: $621 per month
• iDirect Gold Copay Gold NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25 from Independent Health: $635 per month

Gold plans tend to be expensive, but they provide more coverage and lower MOOP expenses. This means you spend less out of pocket when you need medical care.

In New York, Independent Health provides the cheapest Bronze plan. The average cost of iDirect Bronze MV Bronze NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25 is $363 per month. These three Bronze plans have the lowest rates:

• iDirect Bronze MV Bronze NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25 from Independent Health: $363 per month
• iDirect Bronze MV Bronze NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep29 from Independent Health: $367 per month
• iDirect Bronze Coinsurance HSAQ Bronze NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25 from Independent Health: $392 per month

While Bronze plans often have the lowest monthly premiums, they have high out-of-pocket maximums, making them a better fit for individuals who don’t often need health care services.

At about $187 monthly, Fidelis Care Catastrophic, Catastrophic, ST, INN, Fidelis Care HBX Network, Pediatric Dental, 3 Free PCP Visits, Free Telemedicine is the most affordable Catastrophic plan in New York. Consider these Catastrophic plans if you want to save on premiums:

• Fidelis Care Catastrophic, Catastrophic, ST, INN, Fidelis Care HBX Network, Pediatric Dental, 3 Free PCP Visits, Free Telemedicine from Fidelis Care: $187 per month
• Secure Catastrophic, Catastrophic, ST 3PCP, INN, Circle, Dep25, Step Tracking Rewards from Oscar: $202 per month
• Base Catastrophic, ST, INN, Univera EPO Local, Pediatric Dental, Dep25 from Univera Healthcare: $249 per month

Among metal tiers, Catastrophic plans are the cheapest, but they have the highest MOOP expenses and come with age qualifiers. This tier is ideal for those in good health who only need coverage for emergencies.

The cheapest Platinum plan in New York is Independent Health’s FlexFit Platinum NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25. It costs an average of $743 per month. These are the most affordable options in this tier:

• FlexFit Platinum NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25 from Independent Health: $743 per month
• FlexFit Platinum NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep29 from Independent Health: $750 per month
• Standard Platinum ST OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25 from Independent Health: $794 per month

Platinum plans may have the highest monthly premiums, but you will spend the least in out-of-pocket costs for health care services.

There are two plan types available in the New York State of Health Marketplace. The most common plan type is Out-of-Network (OON), but you can also find In-Network (INN) plans.

According to our study, the cheapest Silver plans for these plan types are:

• OON plan: iDirect Silver Copay HSAQ Silver NS OON IHC Network Marketplace Dep25 from Independent Health ($503 per month)
• INN plan: Fidelis Care Silver, Silver, ST, INN, Fidelis Care HBX Network, Pediatric Dental, Dep25, Free Telemedicine from Fidelis Care ($567 per month)

The best plan type for you depends on your specific health care needs. OON plans provide flexibility in choosing health care providers who are not in the network, while INN plans restrict you to providers who have a contract with your insurance company.

The availability and cost of health insurance plans can vary based on location. The most affordable option in one county may not be the cheapest in another.

For instance, here are the average monthly premiums for the cheapest Silver plans in the largest county in New York (Kings County) and a much smaller county (Oneida County, ranking 17th for population by county in New York):

• Kings County: SilverPlus-S1, ST, INN, Pediatric Dental, Dep25, Healthy Living Rewards, Metro-MP from Metroplus Health ($690 per month)
• Oneida County: Fidelis Care Silver, Silver, ST, INN, Fidelis Care HBX Network, Pediatric Dental, Dep25, Free Telemedicine from Fidelis Care ($490 per month)

Use the table below to explore the available Silver plans in your county.

To find the most affordable health insurance in New York, we gathered data from private health insurance plans and compared their monthly costs. These plans are usually available during the open enrollment period and can accommodate buyers with different coverage levels and health care needs.

If you have a low income, you may qualify for government-sponsored health programs like Medicaid or Medicare. Medicaid eligibility is based on income, while Medicare is available for seniors or those with a disability.

Private health insurance plans in New York are available for purchase during the open enrollment period, which runs from November 1 until January 15. Keep in mind that if you enroll in a plan before December 15, your coverage will start on January 1.

Health insurance plans in the Marketplace are grouped into metal tiers to determine how costs are split between members and insurance providers. The less valuable metal tiers often have cheaper premiums but higher out-of-pocket expenses and vice versa.

In New York, these are the available metal tiers for health insurance plans:

• Catastrophic: Catastrophic plans offer the lowest monthly premiums but the highest out-of-pocket maximums, making them ideal for individuals who are in good health and want coverage only for emergencies. However, these plans are only available for those who are under 30 or have hardship or affordability exemptions.
• Bronze: Bronze plans are cheaper than most metal tiers, but they come with high deductibles. This makes this metal tier a good fit for individuals who want to save on premiums and don’t need much medical care.
• Silver: Silver plans are middle-of-the-road plans that offer a balance between affordable premiums and adequate coverage. Cost-sharing reductions are also available in this metal tier for qualified individuals.
• Gold: Gold plans are more expensive than other metal tiers. However, they have lower out-of-pocket maximums, which are ideal for people who need regular medical attention.
• Platinum: This is the most expensive tier in the state. Its high monthly premiums are balanced out by low MOOP costs, making this plan suitable for individuals who frequently incur high medical expenses.

Medicaid is a federal and state health insurance program that covers the health care costs of low-income families and individuals. You may be eligible for Medicaid if your income is below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Individuals who are 65 years of age or older, those who are blind or permanently disabled and pregnant women may also qualify for this program.

New Yorkers may also qualify for Medicare if they are over 65 years of age or have certain qualifying illnesses. Although this government assistance program is not free, it is more affordable than private health insurance plans in the Marketplace.

Medicare has the following parts:

• Part A: Also known as hospital insurance, this covers the cost of inpatient hospital stays, hospice care and certain forms of home health care.
• Part B: Known as medical insurance, this part of Medicare covers outpatient medical expenses, medical supplies and specific doctor services.
• Part D: This helps pay for prescription drugs, including vaccines and other recommended shots.

We compiled our recommendations for New York's best Medicare Advantage plans and the best Medicare Supplement plans in New York.

When shopping around for health insurance in New York, you may have some concerns about the availability and cost of plans. We answered some commonly asked questions to help you gain more valuable insight.