Ohio
Cheapest ACA plans in Columbus, Ohio for 2026
Plan year 2026, last refreshed 2026-04-19T08:08:55.462Z.
Columbus is in Franklin County, Ohio. 8 carriers sell 2026 ACA plans on Healthcare.gov for residents of Franklin County, and the cheapest Bronze plan a 40-year-old can enroll in starts at $397/month before any subsidy. Carriers are licensed and rated at the county level, so the plans below cover everyone in Franklin County, including Columbus.
Cheapest plans by metal tier
Lowest 2026 monthly premium for a single 40-year-old in Columbus (Franklin 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 Franklin County |
|---|---|---|
| Expanded Bronze | $397 | 39 |
| Bronze | $502 | 4 |
| Silver | $528 | 46 |
| Gold | $538 | 41 |
The actual cheapest Bronze plan in Columbus
Oscar Health Insurance Bronze Classic Standard
$397/moFor a family of four (two 40-year-olds and two kids under 14): Oscar Health Insurance Bronze Classic Standard at $1,270/month before subsidies.
Carriers selling 2026 plans in Columbus
8 carriers sell 2026 plans on Healthcare.gov for Franklin County residents; 3 additional carriers offer off-exchange-only plans (not subsidy-eligible). 215 plans total in Franklin County.
| Carrier | On-exchange plans |
|---|---|
| Molina | 22 |
| CareSource | 21 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 17 |
| Oscar | 16 |
| Ambetter | 16 |
| Antidote Health Plan | 15 |
| Medical Mutual | 12 |
| Anthem | 11 |
Also selling off-exchange only
These carriers sell plans directly (not through Healthcare.gov). Off-exchange plans are not eligible for federal APTC or state subsidies.
| Carrier | Off-exchange plans |
|---|---|
| Buckeye Health Plan Community Solutions, Inc. | 30 |
| Medical Mutual of Ohio | 14 |
| The Health Plan of West Virginia, Inc. | 1 |
What you'll actually pay in Columbus
Estimated monthly net premium for the cheapest Bronze plan above ($397/mo before subsidy) on Healthcare.gov, after federal APTC. APTC is computed against the Franklin 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% | $441/mo | $0/mo |
| $40,000 | 256% | $252/mo | $145/mo |
| $60,000 | 383% | $41/mo | $356/mo |
| $100,000 | 639% | — | $397/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% | $1,161/mo | $109/mo |
| $130,000 | 404% | — | $1,270/mo |
| $200,000 | 622% | — | $1,270/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 Columbus, Ohio for 2026?
The cheapest Bronze plan a 40-year-old can enroll in is Oscar Health Insurance Bronze Classic Standard at $397 per month before subsidies. Plans sell through Healthcare.gov. Columbus is in Franklin County, Ohio; carriers are licensed and rated at the county level. Data refreshed 2026-04-19T08:08:55.462Z.
How does Columbus's 2026 ACA pricing compare to other Ohio cities?
Cheapest Bronze for a 40-year-old in Columbus is $397 per month before subsidies. For comparison: Cleveland at $399/mo; Cincinnati at $356/mo; Toledo at $403/mo. Different cities can have different cheapest plans because plans are sold per county and carrier participation varies by jurisdiction.
Does Ohio use Healthcare.gov?
Yes. Ohio participates in the federally-facilitated Marketplace (FFM), so enrollment and subsidy applications run through healthcare.gov. Ohio does not operate a state-based exchange for PY2026.
Has Ohio expanded Medicaid?
Yes, effective January 1, 2014. Gov. John Kasich used the Ohio Controlling Board to approve Medicaid expansion funding over legislative resistance. Adults 19-64 up to 138% FPL qualify regardless of parental status or disability, so there is no coverage gap in Ohio.
Which carriers sell Marketplace plans in Ohio?
Ohio's carrier map is relatively fragmented. PY2026 participants include Medical Mutual of Ohio, CareSource, Ambetter / Buckeye Health Plan (Celtic / Centene), Oscar, Molina, Anthem, Antidote Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare, and Summa / Paramount in select metros. AultCare exited the OH individual market for PY2026. Lineup varies by county; confirm on healthcare.gov during Open Enrollment.
More Ohio pricing
- Statewide Ohio pricing and metal tiers
- Full Franklin County pricing
- Cleveland pricingcheapest Bronze $399/mo
- Cincinnati pricingcheapest Bronze $356/mo
- Toledo pricingcheapest Bronze $403/mo
Sources
- HealthCare.gov for enrollment, OEP dates, and federal APTC / CSR application.
- Ohio Department of Insurance for rate review, carrier filings, and consumer guidance.
- Ohio Department of Medicaid for Ohio Medicaid eligibility and managed care plans.
- KFF: Ohio 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.