# What are the best cheap health insurance options?

Olivia Watson · August 4, 2026

> The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace offers some of the most affordable health insurance plans, with average monthly premiums for a bronze-level...

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace offers some of the most affordable health insurance plans, with average monthly premiums for a bronze-level plan starting as low as $373 per month.

Many people who purchase plans through the ACA Marketplace qualify for subsidies, which can significantly reduce their monthly premiums.

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In 2024, over 90% of Marketplace enrollees received premium subsidies.

Expanding Medicaid eligibility under the ACA has provided affordable coverage options for low-income individuals in the 38 states (plus D.C.) that have adopted the Medicaid expansion.

Short-term health insurance plans, while generally cheaper than ACA plans, may have significant coverage limitations and are not required to cover pre-existing conditions or essential health benefits.

Association health plans, which allow small businesses and self-employed individuals to band together to purchase insurance, can provide more affordable options in some cases, but may also have coverage limitations.

Health savings accounts (HSAs) paired with high-deductible health plans can help lower monthly premiums, though enrollees must meet the deductible before coverage kicks in.

Preventive care is fully covered by most ACA-compliant plans, making it more accessible and potentially reducing long-term healthcare costs for policyholders.

Telemedicine services, often included in health plans at no extra cost, can provide affordable access to basic medical care without the need for in-person visits.

Employers may offer discounted group health insurance plans, which can be more affordable than individual market plans, especially for families.

Certain life events, such as job loss or a move to a new state, can trigger special enrollment periods, allowing individuals to sign up for ACA plans outside the regular open enrollment window.

The ACA's risk adjustment program helps stabilize premiums by redistributing funds from insurers with healthier enrollees to those with sicker, more costly enrollees.

Geographic location can significantly impact health insurance costs, with premiums often higher in urban areas and lower in rural regions.

Younger individuals generally pay lower premiums than older adults, as the ACA limits age-based pricing differences to a 3:1 ratio.

Certain preventive care services, such as annual checkups and cancer screenings, are provided at no cost to the policyholder under the ACA's essential health benefits requirements.

The ACA's guaranteed issue provision requires insurers to offer coverage to all applicants, regardless of pre-existing conditions, helping to make health insurance more accessible and affordable.

Subsidies under the ACA are calculated based on the cost of the second-lowest-cost silver plan in an individual's area, rather than the specific plan they choose.

The ACA's risk corridors and reinsurance programs have helped stabilize the individual insurance market and keep premiums more affordable in the years following the law's implementation.

The ACA's essential health benefits requirements ensure that all plans cover a comprehensive set of services, including hospitalization, prescription drugs, and mental health care.

The ACA's nondiscrimination provisions prohibit insurers from charging higher premiums or denying coverage based on factors like gender, occupation, or industry.

The ACA's premium tax credits are adjusted annually to account for changes in premium costs, helping to keep coverage affordable for lower-income individuals over time.

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