New York
Cheapest ACA plans in Essex County, New York for 2026
Plan year 2026, last refreshed 2026-04-19T08:08:55.462Z.
Essex County, New York has 6 on-exchange carriers offering 119 plans for 2026. The cheapest Bronze plan a 40-year-old can enroll in is New York Quality Healthcare Corporation Fidelis Care Bronze HSA, Bronze ST, INN, Dep25, Free Telehealth at $525 per month before subsidies.
Cheapest plans by metal tier
Lowest 2026 monthly premium at any age in Essex County, on-exchange, before any subsidy. New York uses community rating so a single person pays the same price regardless of age (per 45 CFR 147.102 age variations do not apply here).
| Tier | Cheapest any age monthly | Plans in Essex County |
|---|---|---|
| Catastrophic | $223 | 5 |
| Expanded Bronze | $525 | 28 |
| Silver | $704 | 30 |
| Gold | $911 | 26 |
| Bronze | $927 | 8 |
| Platinum | $1,112 | 22 |
The actual cheapest Bronze plan in Essex County
New York Quality Healthcare Corporation Fidelis Care Bronze HSA, Bronze ST, INN, Dep25, Free Telehealth
$525/moFor a family of four (two 40-year-olds and two kids under 14): New York Quality Healthcare Corporation Fidelis Care Bronze HSA, Bronze ST, INN, Dep25, Free Telehealth at $1,418/month before subsidies.
Carriers selling 2026 plans in Essex County
6 carriers sell 2026 plans on NY State of Health. 169 plans total in this county.
| Carrier | On-exchange plans |
|---|---|
| CDPHP | 25 |
| Highmark BlueCross BlueShield of Western and Northeastern New York | 24 |
| Excellus Health Plan, Inc | 23 |
| MVP Health Plan, Inc. | 23 |
| New York Quality Healthcare Corporation | 15 |
| Anthem HP, LLC | 9 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest ACA plan in Essex County, New York for 2026?
The cheapest Bronze plan all ages can enroll in is New York Quality Healthcare Corporation Fidelis Care Bronze HSA, Bronze ST, INN, Dep25, Free Telehealth at $525 per month before subsidies. Plans sell through NY State of Health. Data refreshed 2026-04-19T08:08:55.462Z.
Why does everyone pay the same price regardless of age in New York?
New York has required community rating in the individual health insurance market since 1993. Under NY Insurance Law § 3231 (commercial insurers) and § 4317 (Article 43 corps and HMOs), insurers must price every plan "without regard to age, sex, health status, tobacco usage or occupation." A 25-year-old and a 64-year-old in the same county pay the identical premium for the same plan. Only geography and family size change the price. New York is one of only two states (Vermont is the other) that prohibit age rating in the ACA individual market.
What is the Essential Plan and am I eligible?
The Essential Plan is New York's Basic Health Program under ACA § 1331. Through June 30, 2026 it covers lawfully present adults up to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. Effective July 1, 2026, eligibility reverts to the federal BHP cap of 200% FPL because CMS approved termination of New York's § 1332 waiver. For most enrollees EP has a $0 monthly premium, no deductible, low copays, and includes vision and dental. Enrollment is year-round.
Can I be charged more for being a smoker in New York?
No. NY Insurance Law § 3231 and § 4317 include tobacco usage in the list of prohibited rating factors. Federal ACA allows up to a 50% tobacco surcharge; New York prohibits it entirely.
More New York pricing
Sources
- NY State of Health for SBE enrollment, OEP dates, and Essential Plan eligibility.
- NY Insurance Law § 3231: Community rating (Article 32) for the community-rating requirement on commercial insurers.
- NY Insurance Law § 4317: Community rating (Article 43) for the parallel provision covering Article 43 corps and HMOs.
- NYSOH: §1332 Waiver for Essential Plan eligibility changes effective July 1, 2026.
Plan year 2026, last refreshed 2026-04-19T08:08:55.462Z. Methodology and full data attribution at about.