Blue Cross Blue Shield charges $980 monthly for West Virginia's cheapest health insurance, saving residents $127 each month compared to the state average through PPO plans across multiple metal tiers. CareSource ranks second at $1,297 monthly with $190 in savings.
Cheapest Health Insurance in West Virginia: Affordable Plans for 2026
Updated: January 27, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Blue Cross Blue Shield and Caresource have the cheapest health insurance in West Virginia, with average monthly rates ranging from $980 to $1,297.
CareSource offers the most affordable health insurance in West Virginia across most demographics and HMO plans ($1,087 monthly). Coverage for children averages $651 monthly, teens $777, young adults $871, adults $1,087 and seniors $2,309. Blue Cross Blue Shield leads for PPO plans ($1,097).
Cheapest Health Insurance Providers in West Virginia
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $980 | $127 | $11,760 | $1,524 |
| Caresource | $1,297 | $190 | $15,564 | $2,280 |
*Average monthly costs represent the mean of all plan rates for each provider in West Virginia, rounded to the nearest dollar. Monthly savings show the cost difference between each provider's average rate and the statewide benchmark.
Blue Cross Blue Shield
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Avg. Monthly Rate
$980Avg. MOOP
$6,378Avg. Deductible
$3,748
Most Affordable West Virginia Health Insurance By Category
Age, plan type and metal tier affect your rate. The best health insurance provider in West Virginia balances monthly premiums with deductibles and out-of-pocket limits.
CareSource charges the lowest rates across most West Virginia demographics, though you'll pay $3,121 average deductibles and $5,816 average out-of-pocket limits for those reduced monthly premiums that attract budget-conscious shoppers. Low premiums mean higher costs later.
| Children | Caresource | $651 | $7,810 | $5,816 | $3,121 |
| Teens | Caresource | $777 | $9,321 | $5,816 | $3,121 |
| Young Adults | Caresource | $871 | $10,454 | $5,816 | $3,121 |
| Adults | Caresource | $1,087 | $13,047 | $5,816 | $3,121 |
| HMO | Caresource | $1,087 | $13,047 | $5,816 | $3,121 |
| PPO | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $1,097 | $13,159 | $5,833 | $3,100 |
| Seniors | Caresource | $2,309 | $27,708 | $5,816 | $3,121 |
*These are average rates for all plan types and metal levels, with teens at 18, young adults at 26, adults at 40 and seniors at 60. For plan type costs, we used average rates for 40-year-olds.
Most Affordable West Virginia Health Insurance By Metal Level
Blue Cross Blue Shield charges $599 monthly for Catastrophic coverage and $772 for Bronze plans for 40-year-olds in West Virginia, giving budget shoppers entry-level options with high deductibles but lower monthly costs. CareSource offers West Virginia's cheapest Expanded Bronze at $819, Gold at $976 with a $2,000 deductible, Silver at $1,087 and Platinum at $1,809 with no deductible.
| Catastrophic | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $599 | $7,187 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
| Bronze | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $772 | $9,264 | $6,900 | $6,900 |
| Expanded Bronze | Caresource | $819 | $9,828 | $7,725 | $6,788 |
| Gold | Caresource | $976 | $11,714 | $6,300 | $2,000 |
| Silver | Caresource | $1,087 | $13,047 | $5,816 | $3,121 |
| Platinum | Caresource | $1,809 | $21,712 | $3,900 | $0 |
Cheap West Virginia Health Insurance: Personalized Picks
Filter West Virginia plans by age, plan type and metal level to match what you're looking for:
Data filtered by:
HMO
Silver
40
No
| Caresource | Low Premium Silver 6200 $3 Generic Drugs | $1,069 | HMO | Silver | $5,979 | $3,629 | 40 | No |
| Caresource | Healthy Heart Silver 5000 $0 Chronic Care Drugs & Services | $1,073 | HMO | Silver | $5,850 | $2,979 | 40 | No |
| Caresource | Low Premium Silver 6200 $3 Generic Drugs + Adult Vision & Fitness | $1,073 | HMO | Silver | $5,979 | $3,629 | 40 | No |
| Caresource | Healthy Heart Silver 5000 $0 Chronic Care Drugs & Services + Adult Vision & Fitness | $1,077 | HMO | Silver | $5,850 | $2,979 | 40 | No |
| Caresource | Silver 6000 $20 Generic Drugs | $1,077 | HMO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| Caresource | Silver 6000 $20 Generic Drugs + Adult Vision & Fitness | $1,081 | HMO | Silver | $5,657 | $3,100 | 40 | No |
| Caresource | Diabetes Silver 5000 $0 Chronic Care Drugs & Services | $1,100 | HMO | Silver | $5,850 | $2,979 | 40 | No |
| Caresource | Diabetes Silver 5000 $0 Chronic Care Drugs & Services + Adult Vision & Fitness | $1,104 | HMO | Silver | $5,850 | $2,979 | 40 | No |
| Caresource | Low Deductible Silver 5000 $3 Generic Drugs | $1,106 | HMO | Silver | $5,743 | $2,921 | 40 | No |
| Caresource | Low Deductible Silver 5000 $3 Generic Drugs + Adult Vision & Fitness | $1,110 | HMO | Silver | $5,743 | $2,921 | 40 | No |
How to Get Cheap Health Insurance in West Virginia
West Virginia rates vary widely. Use these strategies to find affordable coverage that'll meet your needs:
- 1Look Beyond the Cheapest Plans
Don't default to the cheapest Bronze or Catastrophic plan. Silver and Gold plans provide better value when you factor in lower deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, especially if you need regular medical care.
- 2Review Your Healthcare Usage
Review last year's health care spending. If you only visited the doctor twice and didn't need prescriptions, a high-deductible plan saves money. For example, if you spent $500 last year on two routine doctor visits and one urgent care trip, a Bronze plan with a $6,000 deductible might save you $150 monthly compared to a Gold plan.
- 3Explore HMO Options
HMO plans cost less than PPO options in West Virginia. You'll need to stay within the provider network, but Caresource and other HMO providers save you $100 or more monthly.
- 4Verify Subsidy Eligibility
Premium tax credits from the Health Insurance Marketplace reduce your monthly costs based on your income. Even middle-income families qualify for assistance. Check your eligibility before purchasing a plan.
- 5Time Your Purchase Right
Open enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15 each year. Missing this window means waiting until next year unless you qualify for a special enrollment period due to major life changes like marriage, birth or job loss.
Cheapest Health Insurance in West Virginia: Bottom Line
Blue Cross Blue Shield is West Virginia's cheapest health insurance provider, with CareSource following in second place for residents seeking affordable marketplace coverage. Compare rates from both insurers across metal tiers and plan types to identify your lowest cost option based on your age, household size and expected medical needs for the year.
Affordable Health Insurance in West Virginia: FAQ
Find answers to the most common health insurance questions for West Virginia residents:
How do I get cheap health insurance in West Virginia?
Shop during open enrollment (November 1 to January 15) and compare plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield and Caresource across multiple metal tiers. Check your eligibility for premium tax credits through the Health Insurance Marketplace. HMO plans cost less than PPO options in West Virginia.
How much does health insurance cost in West Virginia?
Health insurance in West Virginia costs an average of $1,139 monthly ($13,668 annually) across all plan types and metal levels. Monthly rates range from $358 to $3,842 depending on your age, coverage tier and plan type.
Does West Virginia require health insurance?
West Virginia doesn't require health insurance. The federal individual mandate penalty ended in 2019, so you won't face tax penalties for going uninsured. Coverage provides financial protection from high medical costs and covers preventive care and treatment.
Our Methodology
Comparing health insurance in West Virginia means sorting through multiple providers with different rate structures across age groups and plan types. We analyzed every available plan from federal marketplace data to identify which insurers offer the lowest premiums for West Virginia residents.
Research Approach
We collected premium data for five ages: 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. These ages show how rates change from young adult coverage through near-Medicare eligibility, revealing the full cost range West Virginia residents face at different life stages.
Why We Focus on 40-Year-Olds
Our primary affordability rankings use 40-year-old rates because this age sits at the midpoint of the working-age population in West Virginia. Using one consistent age removes variables and provides clear comparisons across providers without age distorting the results.
Age-Specific Rankings
We also ranked insurers separately at each age bracket. A provider that's cheapest for young adults might not be most affordable for someone near 60, so these age-specific rankings help you find the best rate for your life stage.
All data comes from federal sources and covers metal tiers and plan types available to West Virginia residents through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
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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.