Cheapest ACA plans by state for 2026

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Alabama has not expanded Medicaid and offers no state premium subsidy, so federal APTC is the only help available, and households below 100% FPL generally fall into the coverage gap.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Alaska has the highest posted ACA premiums in the country, but the Alaska Reinsurance Program pulls gross rates down before federal APTC applies. Medicaid expansion closes the coverage gap.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Arizona has Medicaid expansion (AHCCCS) and no coverage gap, but no state premium subsidy, so federal APTC is the only on-Marketplace help.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Arkansas expanded Medicaid through a §1115 waiver (ARHOME) that enrolls expansion adults into Marketplace-style QHPs with Medicaid paying the premium, so the "on-exchange" carrier universe overlaps with Medicaid delivery.

Covered California (state-based exchange). Federal APTC plus the Covered California state subsidy can drive both numbers to $0 for households below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Connect for Health Colorado (state-based exchange). Federal APTC plus the new Colorado Premium Assistance can cut net premiums by $50+ per person per month for households below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Access Health CT (state-based exchange). For Connecticut adults up to 175% FPL who are not on HUSKY/Medicaid, the Covered Connecticut Program can bring a Silver plan to $0 premium, $0 deductible, $0 cost-sharing, plus adult dental and non-emergency medical transportation.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Delaware has §1332 reinsurance that pulls individual-market premiums down before subsidy, Medicaid expansion covers up to 138% FPL, and only federal APTC applies on top.

DC Health Link (state-based exchange). DC runs its own SBE (DC Health Link), expanded Medicaid in 2014, and also funds local programs (DC Healthy Families, DC Alliance) for residents who fall outside Medicaid eligibility.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Florida's ACA marketplace is the largest in the country with ~4.5M enrollees, but the state has no premium subsidy and has not expanded Medicaid, so your only financial help is federal APTC.

Georgia Access (state-based exchange). Georgia does not offer a state subsidy on top of federal APTC, and because Georgia has not expanded Medicaid, APTC eligibility still starts at 100% FPL.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Hawaii's Prepaid Health Care Act (1974) covers most working residents through employers, so the individual ACA market is small, but federal APTC still applies for those who need it, and Med-QUEST handles Medicaid expansion.

Your Health Idaho (state-based exchange). Idaho runs its own SBE (Your Health Idaho), expanded Medicaid via 2018 Proposition 2, and relies on federal APTC with no state premium wraparound.

Get Covered Illinois (state-based exchange). Illinois runs its own state-based exchange (Get Covered Illinois), expanded Medicaid in 2014, and relies on federal APTC with no state premium wraparound.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Indiana uses Healthcare.gov, expanded Medicaid in 2015 through the Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0 §1115 waiver, and relies on federal APTC with no state premium wraparound.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Iowa uses Healthcare.gov, expanded Medicaid in 2014 via the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan, and relies on federal APTC with no state premium wraparound.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Kansas has not expanded Medicaid and offers no state premium subsidy, so federal APTC is the only help available, and households below 100% FPL generally fall into the coverage gap.

kynect (state-based exchange). Kentucky runs its own state-based exchange (kynect, relaunched PY2022), expanded Medicaid in 2014, and relies on federal APTC with no state premium wraparound.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Louisiana uses Healthcare.gov, expanded Medicaid in 2016 via Gov. Edwards executive order, and relies on federal APTC with no state premium wraparound.

CoverME.gov (state-based exchange). Maine runs its own state-based exchange (CoverME.gov), expanded Medicaid in 2019 after voter approval, and operates a §1332 reinsurance waiver (MGARA) that lowers unsubsidized premiums.

Maryland Health Connection (state-based exchange). Maryland stacks a state reinsurance program (~34% premium cut) plus a permanent Young Adult Subsidy and a new PY2026 all-ages wraparound that backfills ~100% of the lost federal enhanced subsidies below 200% FPL.

Massachusetts Health Connector (state-based exchange). Most Massachusetts residents earning under 400% FPL qualify for ConnectorCare: zero-deductible plans with premiums from $0 to $235/month for 2026.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Michigan uses Healthcare.gov, expanded Medicaid in 2014 via the Healthy Michigan Plan, and relies on federal APTC with no state premium wraparound.

MNsure (state-based exchange). Minnesota runs MNsure (SBE) plus MinnesotaCare, an ACA §1331 Basic Health Program covering 138-200% FPL, and also operates a §1332 reinsurance waiver that lowers unsubsidized premiums.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid and offers no state premium subsidy, so federal APTC is the only help available, and the coverage gap is proportionally the largest in the country.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Missouri uses Healthcare.gov, expanded Medicaid in October 2021 after voters approved Amendment 2 in 2020, and relies on federal APTC with no state premium wraparound.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Montana uses Healthcare.gov, expanded Medicaid in 2016 via the HELP Act, and operates a §1332 reinsurance waiver (active since 2020) that lowers unsubsidized premiums.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Nebraska participates in Healthcare.gov, expanded Medicaid in October 2020 via voter Initiative 427, and relies solely on federal APTC (no state premium subsidy or §1332 reinsurance waiver).

Nevada Health Link (state-based exchange). Nevada runs its own SBE (Nevada Health Link), expanded Medicaid in 2014, and relies on federal APTC with no state premium wraparound.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). New Hampshire participates in Healthcare.gov, expanded Medicaid as the Granite Advantage Health Care Program, and relies on federal APTC with no state premium wraparound.

Get Covered New Jersey (state-based exchange). On top of federal APTC, NJ Health Plan Savings reaches up to 600% FPL, one of the few remaining affordability levers for middle-income households now that federal enhanced credits have expired.

beWellnm (state-based exchange). New Mexico runs its own SBE (beWellnm), expanded Medicaid in 2014, and funds state-level premium and cost-sharing assistance through the Health Care Affordability Fund plus a Native American Health Care Exchange Pilot.

NY State of Health (state-based exchange). A 25-year-old and a 64-year-old pay the same premium in New York under community rating, and sub-200% FPL enrollees can usually get the free Essential Plan (BHP) instead of a QHP.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). North Carolina participates in Healthcare.gov, expanded Medicaid in December 2023 via HB 76 (one of the most recent expansion states), and relies on federal APTC with no state premium subsidy.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). North Dakota participates in Healthcare.gov, expanded Medicaid in 2014, and relies on federal APTC with no state premium subsidy or §1332 reinsurance waiver.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Ohio participates in Healthcare.gov, expanded Medicaid in 2014 under Gov. Kasich via the Controlling Board, and relies on federal APTC with no state premium subsidy.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Oklahoma participates in Healthcare.gov, expanded Medicaid in July 2021 via voter-approved SQ 802 (over Gov. Stitt's objection), and relies on federal APTC with no state premium subsidy.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Oregon enrolls through Healthcare.gov, expanded Medicaid as the Oregon Health Plan in 2014, and runs a §1332 reinsurance waiver (active since 2018) that lowers on-exchange premiums for all enrollees.

Pennie (state-based exchange). Pennsylvania's cheapest plan depends on your county. Highmark and UPMC dominate the west, IBX and Highmark Benefits Group dominate Philadelphia, Capital and Geisinger anchor central PA.

HealthSource RI (state-based exchange). Rhode Island runs its own SBE (HealthSource RI), expanded Medicaid in 2014, and runs a §1332 reinsurance waiver (active since 2023) that lowers on-exchange premiums for all enrollees.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid and offers no state premium subsidy, so federal APTC is the only help available, and households below 100% FPL generally fall into the coverage gap.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). South Dakota uses Healthcare.gov, expanded Medicaid in July 2023 after voters passed Amendment D in November 2022, and relies on federal APTC with no state premium wraparound.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid (TennCare is a §1115 waiver, not ACA expansion), offers no state premium subsidy, and has a coverage gap for low-income adults below 100% FPL.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Texas has the most fragmented rating-area landscape in the country (26 areas) and no state premium subsidy, so which county you're in and whether you clear 100% FPL drive almost everything about your price.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Utah uses Healthcare.gov, expanded Medicaid to 138% FPL in January 2020 after a multi-year arc starting with voter-approved Proposition 3 in 2018, and relies on federal APTC with no state premium wraparound.

Vermont Health Connect (state-based exchange). A 25-year-old and a 64-year-old pay the same premium for the same plan in Vermont because VT is one of only two states that prohibits age rating.

Virginia's Insurance Marketplace (state-based exchange). 2026 is the only Virginia plan year where one carrier (Sentara) can still charge tobacco users more. HB220 bans the surcharge statewide for any plan renewed on or after January 1, 2027.

Washington Healthplanfinder (state-based exchange). On top of federal APTC, Cascade Care Savings adds $55 per person per month for households at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level who enroll in a Cascade Care Silver or Gold plan.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). West Virginia uses Healthcare.gov, expanded Medicaid in 2014 (one of the largest per-capita uninsured rate reductions nationally), and relies on federal APTC with no state premium wraparound.

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Wisconsin uses Healthcare.gov and has not adopted ACA Medicaid expansion, but BadgerCare Plus covers adults up to 100% FPL, so Wisconsin has no coverage gap (the only non-expansion state where that is true).

Healthcare.gov (federal marketplace). Wyoming has not expanded Medicaid and offers no state premium subsidy, so federal APTC is the only help available, and households below 100% FPL generally fall into the coverage gap.