Cheapest Health Insurance in Oregon (2024 Plans)

Opting for metal tiers besides Silver can affect your health insurance costs. In Oregon, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers the most affordable Bronze plan, while Kaiser Permanente has the lowest prices for Expanded Bronze, Gold and Silver tiers.

If you're looking to balance monthly premiums with quality claims and coverage, the best health insurance in Oregon was evaluated by MoneyGeek.

The most affordable plan in the Silver tier in Oregon is the KP OR Silver 4000/40 offered by Kaiser Permanente with a monthly cost of $473. Those looking to save on monthly rates at the risk of higher out-of-pocket costs might consider Bronze plans. Health insurance costs differ by metal tier, with options ranging from higher monthly premiums with lower out-of-pocket costs and deductibles to lower premiums with higher out-of-pocket expenses.

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

• Bronze: Bronze Virtual Value 8500 Legacy (Blue Cross Blue Shield) ($382 per month)
• Expanded Bronze: KP OR Bronze 9100/75 (Kaiser Permanente) ($363 per month)
• Silver: KP OR Silver 4000/40 (Kaiser Permanente) ($473 per month)
• Gold: KP OR Gold 1750/20 (Kaiser Permanente) ($501 per month)

Weigh each plan's costs and coverage to find cheap health insurance that meets individual needs.

The most affordable Silver-tier health plan in Oregon is the KP OR Silver 4000/40 offered by Kaiser Permanente, with a monthly cost of $473.

The three most affordable Silver health plans in Oregon are:

• KP OR Silver 4000/40 from Kaiser Permanente ($473 per month)
• KP Oregon Standard Silver Plan from Kaiser Permanente ($499 per month)
• Silver 6500 Legacy from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($500 per month)

Silver plans are especially suitable for individuals or families who expect moderate health care usage and prefer a balance between monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. For those who qualify based on income, cost-sharing reductions can significantly lower deductibles, copayments and co-insurance, thereby reducing the overall expenses when accessing care. Subscribers with limited income but not eligible for Medicaid may find Silver plans the most cost-effective option when factoring in these reductions.

The most affordable plan in the Gold tier for Oregonians is the KP OR Gold 1750/20 offered by Kaiser Permanente, with a monthly cost of $501.

Here are the three most affordable Gold plans in Oregon:

• KP OR Gold 1750/20 from Kaiser Permanente ($501 per month)
• KP Oregon Standard Gold Plan from Kaiser Permanente ($529 per month)
• KP OR Gold 0/15 from Kaiser Permanente ($546 per month)

Gold plans are designed for customers who expect to need moderate to high medical care. They offer lower out-of-pocket costs when accessing health care services but come with higher monthly premiums. These plans are often a good choice for individuals or families who want the predictability of more consistent health care costs and can afford the monthly premiums.

The most affordable Bronze health plan in Oregon is the Bronze Virtual Value 8500 Legacy offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield, with a monthly cost of $382.

Bronze health plans are ideal for individuals who want to ensure financial protection against unexpected medical events without a high monthly premium. These plans typically have lower premiums and higher out-of-pocket costs, making them well-suited for those who are generally healthy and do not anticipate needing frequent medical care. A Bronze plan can be a cost-effective choice for those prioritizing budget over comprehensive coverage.

The most affordable option in the Expanded Bronze tier in Oregon is the KP OR Bronze 9100/75 plan offered by Kaiser Permanente, with a monthly cost of $363.

Oregonians looking for cost-effective health coverage will find Expanded Bronze plans particularly suitable. These plans are designed for individuals who want lower monthly premiums while still having coverage for essential health benefits. They are ideal for those who are healthy and do not expect to need frequent medical care or expensive prescriptions, because the lower premiums come with higher out-of-pocket expenses before the insurance begins to pay its share.

Individuals in Oregon with annual earnings at 250% below the Federal Poverty Level qualify for cost-sharing reductions on Silver plans. These reductions make health care more affordable by lowering deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.

The most affordable Silver plan for Oregonians earning between $14,580 and $21,870 annually is the KP OR Silver 4000/40 from Kaiser Permanente, featuring a maximum out-of-pocket cost (MOOP) of $2,000. The following are the two most affordable plans:

• KP OR Silver 4000/40 from Kaiser Permanente (monthly cost: $473, MOOP: $2000)
• KP Oregon Standard Silver Plan from Kaiser Permanente (monthly cost: $499, MOOP: $1075)

Cost-sharing reductions in Oregon are exclusively available with Silver plans. Income figures discussed apply to single individuals and vary with household size.

In Oregon, EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization) plans are the most popular.

The most affordable option in Oregon for the most popular plan type is the KP OR Silver 4000/40 from Kaiser Permanente with a monthly cost of $473.

• EPO: KP OR Silver 4000/40 from Kaiser Permanente ($473 per month)
• PPO: Navigator Silver 4000 Exchange from PacificSource Health Plans ($579 per month)

Oregon residents looking for more flexibility in choosing health care providers might consider PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans, which offer the option to use out-of-network providers.

Health insurance rates and availability of certain plans vary by county in Oregon, illustrating disparities in the options residents have based on their location.

Comparing the most affordable plans in the largest and smallest counties by population based on their monthly rates demonstrates the following differences:

• Multnomah: Silver 6500 Legacy from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($442 per month)
• Wheeler: KP OR Silver 4000/40 from Kaiser Permanente ($462 per month)

The following table presents all available plans in each county in Oregon.

In Oregon, age matters a lot for health insurance prices within metal tiers. Each month, an 18-year-old with a silver plan pays $283, while a 60-year-old in the same plan pays $1,210. That's a monthly difference of $927 just because of age.

Metal tiers, like Bronze or Gold, also affect monthly insurance costs. A 40-year-old with a Bronze plan pays $409, but with a Gold plan, the cost is $638. That means choosing Gold over Bronze adds $229 to the monthly bill.

MoneyGeek broke down all the health insurance options in Oregon, covering private insurance available in the marketplace with its different levels of coverage, known as metal tiers, as well as Medicaid and Medicare. Our guide offers clear information about each option so that you can find the one that fits your health care needs best.

In Oregon, the open enrollment period for private health insurance typically aligns with the federal Healthcare.gov schedule, running from November 1 through December 15 each year. This is when you can shop for, compare and purchase health insurance plans without needing a qualifying life event. If you miss this deadline, you generally must wait until the next open enrollment period to get coverage. However, if you experience certain life events, like losing health coverage, getting married, or having a baby, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to sign up outside of open enrollment.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health care coverage to eligible low-income individuals and families. In Oregon, eligibility for Medicaid, known as the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), is determined by income, age, disability and other factors. It covers groups including children, pregnant women, parents, seniors and people with disabilities. To quality, residents must meet specific income thresholds (a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level) and have limited assets. Additionally, applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents and reside in Oregon. Eligibility is regularly reassessed to maintain coverage.

Medicare is a federal health care program primarily for individuals aged 65 and older, though it also covers certain younger people with disabilities or specific medical conditions. In Oregon, eligibility for Medicare is consistent with federal guidelines. Medicare Part A covers hospital insurance, providing for inpatient hospital stays and short-term nursing care. Part B covers medical insurance for outpatient services, including doctor visits and preventive services. Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, includes all Part A and B services, but is administered by private insurance companies and often includes additional benefits. Part D covers prescription drugs, with plans purchased separately to complement Original Medicare.

MoneyGeek found the best Medicare Advantage Plans in Oregon and the best Medicare Supplement plans in Oregon.

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 Oregon to help you learn more.