Maine
Cheapest ACA plans in Orono, Maine for 2026
Plan year 2026, last refreshed 2026-04-19T08:08:55.462Z.
Orono is in Penobscot County, Maine. 3 carriers sell 2026 ACA plans on CoverME.gov for residents of Penobscot County, and the cheapest Bronze plan a 40-year-old can enroll in starts at $551/month before any subsidy. Carriers are licensed and rated at the county level, so the plans below cover everyone in Penobscot County, including Orono.
Cheapest plans by metal tier
Lowest 2026 monthly premium for a single 40-year-old in Orono (Penobscot County), on-exchange, before any subsidy. Per-age figures derived from the CMS QHP Landscape file using the HHS standardized age-rating curve (45 CFR 147.102).
| Tier | Cheapest age 40 monthly | Plans in Penobscot County |
|---|---|---|
| Catastrophic | $433 | 2 |
| Expanded Bronze | $551 | 14 |
| Bronze | $603 | 3 |
| Silver | $734 | 14 |
| Gold | $779 | 10 |
| Platinum | $1,128 | 1 |
The actual cheapest Bronze plan in Orono
Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Inc. Maine's Choice Plus HMO HSA Bronze 7200
$551/moFor a family of four (two 40-year-olds and two kids under 14): Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Inc. Maine's Choice Plus HMO HSA Bronze 7200 at $1,763/month before subsidies.
Carriers selling 2026 plans in Orono
3 carriers sell 2026 plans on CoverME.gov for Penobscot County residents; 1 additional carrier offers off-exchange-only plans (not subsidy-eligible). 95 plans total in Penobscot County.
| Carrier | On-exchange plans |
|---|---|
| Maine Community Health Options | 19 |
| Harvard Pilgrim | 14 |
| Anthem Health Plans of Maine, Inc. | 11 |
Also selling off-exchange only
These carriers sell plans directly (not through CoverME.gov). Off-exchange plans are not eligible for federal APTC or state subsidies.
| Carrier | Off-exchange plans |
|---|---|
| HPHC Insurance Co. | 5 |
What you'll actually pay in Orono
Estimated monthly net premium for the cheapest Bronze plan above ($551/mo before subsidy) on CoverME.gov, after federal APTC. APTC is computed against the Penobscot Countybenchmark Silver per 26 USC §36B. Approximate; exact net varies by plan's EHB% and child-rate structure.
Single 40-year-old
| Annual income | FPL % | Federal APTC | Cheapest Bronze net |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | 160% | $650/mo | $0/mo |
| $40,000 | 256% | $460/mo | $91/mo |
| $60,000 | 383% | $249/mo | $302/mo |
| $100,000 | 639% | — | $551/mo |
Family of 4 (two 40-year-olds, two children)
| Annual income | FPL % | Federal APTC | Cheapest Bronze net |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | 124% | — | Medicaid likely |
| $80,000 | 249% | $1,826/mo | $0/mo |
| $130,000 | 404% | — | $1,763/mo |
| $200,000 | 622% | — | $1,763/mo |
FPL = Federal Poverty Level. APTC = Advance Premium Tax Credit (the federal subsidy). Off-exchange and Catastrophic plans are not APTC-eligible. Enter your real income on the home page to see plan-specific net premium with the per-plan EHB-percent cap applied.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest ACA plan in Orono, Maine for 2026?
The cheapest Bronze plan a 40-year-old can enroll in is Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Inc. Maine's Choice Plus HMO HSA Bronze 7200 at $551 per month before subsidies. Plans sell through CoverME.gov. Orono is in Penobscot County, Maine; carriers are licensed and rated at the county level. Data refreshed 2026-04-19T08:08:55.462Z.
How does Orono's 2026 ACA pricing compare to other Maine cities?
Cheapest Bronze for a 40-year-old in Orono is $551 per month before subsidies. For comparison: Portland at $499/mo. Different cities can have different cheapest plans because plans are sold per county and carrier participation varies by jurisdiction.
Is Maine on Healthcare.gov?
No. Maine launched its own state-based exchange, CoverME.gov, for PY2022. Previously Maine used Healthcare.gov. Healthcare.gov no longer serves Maine; enrollment runs through coverme.gov.
Has Maine expanded Medicaid?
Yes, effective January 2019. Maine voters approved Question 1 in November 2017 directing the state to expand Medicaid (MaineCare), but then-Gov. LePage refused to implement it. Gov. Janet Mills implemented expansion shortly after taking office in January 2019. Adults 19-64 with income up to 138% FPL qualify, so there is no coverage gap in Maine.
What is MGARA and how does it affect premiums?
The Maine Guaranteed Access Reinsurance Association (MGARA) is Maine’s §1332 reinsurance waiver program. It reimburses carriers for high-cost individual-market claims, which lowers gross premiums on CoverME.gov for all enrollees (subsidized and unsubsidized alike). MGARA was originally approved in 2012, went dormant when ACA took effect, and was reactivated for PY2022.
More Maine pricing
- Statewide Maine pricing and metal tiers
- Portland pricingcheapest Bronze $499/mo
Sources
- CoverME.gov for SBE enrollment, OEP dates, and APTC application.
- Maine Bureau of Insurance for rate review, carrier filings, and consumer guidance.
- Maine Department of Health and Human Services: MaineCare for Medicaid eligibility and expansion enrollment.
- KFF: Maine State Health Facts for Medicaid expansion, enrollment, and benchmark premium context.
Plan year 2026, last refreshed 2026-04-19T08:08:55.462Z. Full pricing pipeline + regulatory references at methodology; ACA terminology in the glossary.