Sanford Health Plan charges $612 monthly for South Dakota's most affordable health insurance, saving residents $39 below the state average with HMO and PPO network options available depending on your location. Avera and Wellmark offer additional marketplace choices. Plan availability differs across South Dakota based on where you live.
Cheapest Health Insurance in South Dakota: Affordable Plans for 2026
Updated: January 23, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Sanford is South Dakota's most affordable health insurance provider, with an average monthly premium of $612.
Avera offers the cheapest rates for children, teens, young adults, adults, seniors and HMO plans. Sanford has the lowest Gold and PPO rates, and Wellmark provides the most affordable EPO coverage.
Compare at least three insurers during Open Enrollment to find affordable coverage. Spending 30 minutes comparing plans can save you hundreds annually.
Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in South Dakota
| Sanford Health Plan | $612 | $39 | $7,344 | $468 |
| Avera Health Plans | $660 | $9 | $7,920 | $108 |
| Wellmark Of South Dakota, Inc. | $736 | $85 | $8,832 | $1,020 |
* We calculate average monthly rates by taking the rounded average of each provider’s monthly plan rates in South Dakota. We calculate average monthly savings by subtracting the statewide average monthly rate from each provider’s average to show how much cheaper they are than the overall state average. Your actual rates will vary based on age, location and chosen plan.
Sanford Health Plan
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.2/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Avg. Monthly Rate
$612Avg. MOOP
$7,415Avg. Deductible
$5,013
Cheapest South Dakota Health Insurance Providers By Profile
The lowest rates for your specific situation depend on how old you are, what plan type you prefer and which metal tier you select. Monthly costs tell only part of the story since deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket expenses determine what you'll actually spend annually when medical needs arise throughout your coverage period.
| Children | Avera Health Plans | $326 | $3,916 | $5,998 | $3,021 |
| Teens | Avera Health Plans | $389 | $4,673 | $5,998 | $3,021 |
| Young Adults | Avera Health Plans | $437 | $5,241 | $5,998 | $3,021 |
| Adults | Avera Health Plans | $545 | $6,542 | $5,998 | $3,021 |
| HMO | Avera Health Plans | $545 | $6,542 | $5,998 | $3,021 |
| EPO | Wellmark Of South Dakota, Inc. | $740 | $8,880 | $5,325 | $3,007 |
| PPO | Sanford Health Plan | $753 | $9,035 | $5,867 | $2,748 |
| Seniors | Avera Health Plans | $1,158 | $13,892 | $5,998 | $3,021 |
* Rates shown are averages for silver-tier plans, using the following ages for each group: teens age 18, young adults age 26, adults age 40, seniors age 60. For plan type costs, we used average rates for 40-year-olds.
Cheapest South Dakota Health Insurance By Metal Level
Your metal tier choice affects how you share costs between monthly payments and what you pay when seeking care.
Catastrophic plans from Sanford cost just $294 monthly for 40-year-olds but demand a $10,600 deductible before coverage starts beyond preventive services, while Avera's Expanded Bronze runs $432 monthly with $5,375 deductibles and Silver costs $545 monthly. Sanford's Gold reaches $574 monthly with the lowest deductible at $1,406. South Dakota doesn't offer Platinum tier plans.
| Catastrophic | Sanford Health Plan | $294 | $3,528 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
| Expanded Bronze | Avera Health Plans | $432 | $5,185 | $7,025 | $5,375 |
| Silver | Avera Health Plans | $545 | $6,542 | $5,998 | $3,021 |
| Gold | Sanford Health Plan | $574 | $6,882 | $6,450 | $1,406 |
* Rates shown are the provider's average at the given metal tier for 40-year-olds.
Compare Cheap South Dakota Health Insurance Plans
Check the table below to discover the cheapest health insurance options in South Dakota tailored to your requirements:
Data filtered by:
PPO
Silver
40
No
| Sanford Health Plan | Sanford Individual Simplicity Standardized $6,000 | $722 | PPO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| Avera Health Plans | Connectplus Standard $6000 | $749 | PPO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| Avera Health Plans | Connectplus $4500 | $757 | PPO | Silver | $6,143 | $2,864 | 40 | No |
| Sanford Health Plan | Sanford Individual Simplicity $3,500 | $765 | PPO | Silver | $5,971 | $2,214 | 40 | No |
| Avera Health Plans | Connectplus Myweighforward $6000 | $771 | PPO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| Sanford Health Plan | Sanford Individual Simplicity $4,750 | $771 | PPO | Silver | $5,971 | $2,929 | 40 | No |
| Avera Health Plans | Connectplus $0 Silver | $822 | PPO | Silver | $6,536 | No Data | 40 | No |
How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in South Dakota
Follow these five steps to identify budget-friendly South Dakota coverage:
- 1Determine what coverage plan you need and can afford
Your health circumstances and income determine which type of plan and metal tier work best. Calculate your monthly premium budget, assess your current health status and evaluate your injury or illness risk based on age, location and lifestyle.
- 2Find out your subsidy eligibility
Your household income and size determine eligibility for 2026 health insurance subsidies. Subsidies apply to incomes between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Lower incomes receive larger subsidies, with credit amounts decreasing as income rises.
- 3Consider federal programs if you're 65 or older
Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans cost less than marketplace coverage. Compare eligibility requirements and benefits for each program.
- 4Review prescription formularies
Check which tier your medications fall under for each insurer. Some plans place common prescriptions on lower tiers with smaller copays, potentially saving you hundreds annually.
- 5Compare plans during Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15. You may qualify for Special Enrollment if you've lost your job, divorced or had a child. Compare coverage types, customer ratings, costs and whether your doctors accept the plan.
Cheapest Health Insurance in : Bottom Line
Sanford, Avera and Wellmark offer South Dakota's lowest rates. Collect quotes from all three across Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers to see which combination of monthly premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket caps works best for your healthcare needs and budget.
Cheap South Dakota Health Insurance: FAQ
We answer common questions about affordable health insurance in South Dakota:
What is the cheapest health insurance in South Dakota?
Sanford offers the cheapest health insurance, with Silver plans starting at $753 monthly for 40-year-olds.
What are the downsides of a cheap health insurance plan?
Cheap plans charge higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs when you need medical care. You'll pay less monthly but more when using services. Higher-premium plans cost more upfront but reduce what you pay for doctor visits, prescriptions and procedures.
Do I qualify for subsidies on health insurance in South Dakota?
Subsidies reduce monthly premiums through HealthCare.gov, South Dakota's federal marketplace. Enter your household income during enrollment to check eligibility.
When can I enroll in health insurance in South Dakota?
You can enroll in South Dakota health insurance during Open Enrollment from November 1 to January 15. However, you may qualify for Special Enrollment throughout the year if you experience a qualifying life event like marriage, job loss or having a baby.
How We Decided the Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in South Dakota
South Dakota offers hundreds of health insurance plans, and premiums vary by age. We analyzed rate data from the federal health insurance marketplace to identify which insurers offer the lowest premiums for different demographics.
Our Analysis Approach
We collected plan data for consumers aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60 to cover the full age spectrum from teens through pre-Medicare seniors. We ranked providers by their average monthly premiums for 40-year-olds as our baseline "cheapest overall" category, since this age reflects South Dakota's median health insurance consumer and provides the most relevant comparison for most shoppers.
For age-specific rankings (teens, young adults, adults, seniors), we used the corresponding ages listed above. This approach reveals which insurers offer the best rates for your specific age group, not just generic "cheapest" rankings that may not apply to you.
Important Cost Tradeoff
Bronze and Silver plans (the lowest monthly premiums) charge $3,021 to $10,600 deductibles and $5,998 to $10,600 maximum out-of-pocket costs. You'll save monthly but pay more when you need care. Compare premiums and potential out-of-pocket expenses based on your expected medical usage.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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.