Best Cheap Health Insurance in Kentucky for 2026
Ambetter/WellCare of Kentucky has the best health insurance in KY. Silver plans from Ambetter start at $523 per month before discounts.
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Best and cheapest health insurance in Kentucky
Cheapest health insurance companies in Kentucky
Molina, Ambetter and Anthem have the cheapest health insurance plans in Kentucky, with Silver plans starting at $521 per month before discounts.
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Affordable health insurance in Kentucky
Company |
Cost
| |
|---|---|---|
| Molina | $521-$544 | |
| Ambetter/WellCare | $523-$714 |
| Anthem | $545-$803 |
- Ambetter sells plans under the WellCare of Kentucky brand in KY. The company has the cheapest coverage for about one-third of Kentucky residents.
- Molina has the cheapest health insurance, with Silver plans starting at $521 per month, but it's only available to about 1 in 10 Kentuckians. You can only get Molina coverage if you live in or around Lexington.
- Anthem has the most affordable coverage for more than half of all people in Kentucky, including those in Louisville and Bowling Green.
Best health insurance companies in Kentucky
Ambetter is the best health insurance company in KY for most people.
Ambetter has a perfect 5-star rating from HealthCare.gov for member experience. That means people with Ambetter are usually happy with their plans. Plus, the company has a strong 4-out-of-5-star rating for medical care, which means customers have an easy time getting routine medical care.
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Best-rated health insurance companies in KY
Company |
ACA rating
|
VP rating
|
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter (WellCare) | ||
| Anthem | ||
| Molina | N/A |
Anthem is the most popular health insurance company in Kentucky, selling more than half of all health insurance plans in the state.
You can get a quote from Anthem no matter where you live in Kentucky. If you live in a rural part of the state, Anthem might be a particularly good option. Many plans come with $0 virtual health care visits, which could be helpful if you live far from a doctor's office.
How much does health insurance cost in Kentucky?
Health insurance in Kentucky costs an average of $662 per month, but you could pay an average of $228 per month if you get discounts based on your income.
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- The plan level you buy has a big impact on your rates. Higher-tier plans, like Gold, cost more each month but also pay for more of your medical bills. Cheaper plans, like Bronze, give you lower rates but make you pay more when you go to the doctor.
- Your age affects your health insurance costs, too. A 60-year-old in Kentucky pays more than twice as much as a 40-year-old for a Silver plan, and almost three times as much as a 21-year-old. As you age, you're more likely to experience health issues, which increases the cost of your health insurance.
Health insurance discount changes in Kentucky for 2026
Medical insurance costs $662 in Kentucky, or a projected $228 per month, on average, if you're eligible for discounts.
If you qualify for discounts, called subsidies, rates will roughly double from an estimated $112 in 2025 to $228 in 2026. That's because discount levels are probably going to decrease in 2026.
Between 2021 and 2025, you could get extra discounts, called "enhanced subsidies." These larger discounts are set to expire at the end of 2025 unless Congress decides to extend them. Keep in mind, you can still get health insurance discounts in 2026, but they may be smaller than in years past.
Health insurance rates in Kentucky after subsidies (2025 vs. 2026)
Income | 2025 rate | 2026 rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $49 | $155 | 216% |
| $40,000 | $154 | $287 | 86% |
| $50,000 | $283 | $415 | 47% |
| $60,000 | $423 | $498 | 18% |
| $70,000+ | $442 | $590 | 33% |
Average cost after subsidies for a single 40-year-old with a Benchmark Silver plan.
- Who can get subsidies? You can get subsidies if you earn between $21,597 and $62,600 as an individual ($44,367 to $128,600 for a family of four). The less you make, the higher your subsidy.
- How do subsidies work? When shopping on Kynect, your subsidy will automatically be applied to any Bronze, Silver or Gold plan you buy. You can't use subsidies on Catastrophic plans. You can choose to have your subsidy applied to your monthly rate, or you can get it as a lump sum at the end of the year when you file your taxes.
- How much do you save? Use ValuePenguin's subsidy calculator to find out how much you'll pay for coverage after discounts.
Cheap Kentucky health insurance plans by city
Anthem has the cheapest health insurance rates in Louisville, KY.
Anthem also has the most affordable rates for a Silver plan in Bowling Green and Covington, and Molina offers the cheapest coverage in Lexington.
Cheapest health insurance plans by KY county
County | Cheapest plan | Monthly rates |
|---|---|---|
| Adair | Ambetter/WellCare Clear Silver | $641 |
| Allen | Anthem Silver Pathway X Transition | $609 |
| Anderson | Ambetter/WellCare Clear Silver | $565 |
| Ballard | Ambetter/WellCare Clear Silver | $660 |
| Barren | Anthem Silver Pathway X Transition | $609 |
Cheapest Silver plan with rates for a 40-year-old
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Best health insurance by level of coverage
Think about your budget and medical needs to find the best health insurance plan for you.
Higher plan tiers, like Gold, usually cost more each month, but you get to pay less when you go to the doctor. That's because Gold plans have lower out-of-pocket expenses, like deductibles, copays and coinsurance. Lower plan tiers, like Bronze, cost less each month but require you to pay more for your health care.
Gold plans: Best for those with high health care needs
| Gold plans pay for about 80% of your medical care. |
Gold plans in KY cost an average of $749 per month.
Gold is the highest metal tier available in Kentucky and usually covers the greatest share of your medical bills. This means you'll pay less when you go to the doctor, but the trade-off is that you'll pay a higher monthly rate. Gold plans can be worth it if you have high medical bills.
The average deductible for a Gold plan is $1,459, so you could pay an average of $1,459 toward your medical care before your coverage starts.
Gold plans in Kentucky have an average out-of-pocket maximum of $7,447. Once you hit your out-of-pocket maximum, your plan pays for all of your covered medical costs.
Silver plans: Best for most people
| Silver plans pay for about 70% of your medical care. |
You'll pay $662 per month, on average, for a Silver plan in Kentucky.
Silver plans fall between Gold and Bronze plans in terms of coverage and cost. They are a good option if you have average health care needs or you want extra protection and are willing to pay a bit more than you would for a Bronze plan.
The average deductible is $5,133, and the average out-of-pocket maximum is $8,760. If you buy a Silver plan, make sure you have enough money to pay these higher costs.
Bronze plans: Best for young, healthy people
| Bronze plans pay for about 60% of your medical care. |
Bronze plans cost an average of $573 per month in Kentucky.
Bronze medical insurance plans offer cheap monthly rates, but you have to pay more when you get medical care. Bronze plans have an average deductible of $7,717 and an average out-of-pocket maximum of $9,424.
Because of this, Bronze plans are best if you are generally healthy and don't go to the doctor often. You should also have good emergency savings since you'll have to pay more if you are ill or get injured.
Catastrophic plans: Best as a last resort
In Kentucky, Catastrophic plans cost $407 per month, on average.
Catastrophic plans give you the least coverage in Kentucky. You'll pay a low monthly rate, but you also have to pay $10,600 of your medical bills before your plan starts to pay. Because of this, Catastrophic plans are only a good idea if you can afford to pay the high costs if something serious happens.
You can only buy a Catastrophic plan if you're under 30 or otherwise qualify for an exemption. Also, you cannot use rate subsidies if you choose a Catastrophic plan.
Cheap or free health insurance in Kentucky if you have a low income
Kentucky has a few options for cheap or free health insurance if you have a low income. You can go on Medicaid, if you qualify. Or you can buy a Silver plan and use a special type of discount to get cheaper medical care.
Medicaid in Kentucky
Kentucky Medicaid is a kind of free health insurance for people with low incomes.
If you make less than about $22,000 as a single person or about $44,000 as a family of four, you qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid can lower or eliminate your health care costs, but you usually only qualify if you have a low income.
If you are pregnant, you can make more and still qualify. And pregnant and postpartum women who don't qualify for Medicaid might qualify for Kentucky's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), along with their children.
Use cost-sharing reductions for cheaper medical care
| Silver plans will pay 74% to 90% of your medical costs if you have a low income. |
If you have a low income but don't qualify for Medicaid, a Silver plan is probably your best option. Silver plans are the only plan tier that is eligible for cost-sharing reduction (CSR) subsidies, which let you pay less when you go to the doctor. They lower your deductible, coinsurance, copays and out-of-pocket maximum.
If you have a Silver plan with cost-sharing reductions, your plan might cover more of your medical costs than a Gold plan and at a lower rate. And you'll probably also qualify for rate subsidies, so your monthly rate will be lower, too.
Are health insurance rates going up in KY?
Health insurance rates are increasing in Kentucky, with plans going up by an average of 23% between 2025 and 2026.
Bronze plans are going up the most, at an average of 24% year on year. Silver plans are getting 23% more expensive, on average, and the average cost of a Gold plan is rising by 22%. The average cost of a Silver health plan rose by 38% between 2022 and 2026.
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $413 | – |
| 2023 | $365 | -12% |
| 2024 | $400 | 10% |
| 2025 | $462 | 15% |
| 2026 | $573 | 24% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old. Expanded Bronze plans are included in 2024, 2025 and 2026 averages, when they're offered.
Bronze
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $413 | – |
| 2023 | $365 | -12% |
| 2024 | $400 | 10% |
| 2025 | $462 | 15% |
| 2026 | $573 | 24% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old. Expanded Bronze plans are included in 2024, 2025 and 2026 averages, when they're offered.
Silver
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $478 | – |
| 2023 | $479 | 0% |
| 2024 | $497 | 4% |
| 2025 | $538 | 8% |
| 2026 | $662 | 23% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $548 | – |
| 2023 | $554 | 1% |
| 2024 | $582 | 5% |
| 2025 | $615 | 6% |
| 2026 | $749 | 22% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Why is health insurance expensive in KY in 2026?
Health care costs keep going up, which pushes up the cost of health insurance.
When it's more expensive for you to go to the doctor or fill a prescription, medical insurance companies have to find a way to pay for the extra cost. To make up for it, they raise rates for everyone.
The high cost and widespread use of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, like Ozempic and Wegovy, are also causing health insurance rates to go up. When medications cost more, health insurance companies have to pay more every time someone fills a prescription. And when those medications are as popular as GLP-1 drugs are, the extra cost adds up.
Rates are also going up for 2026, in part because of a change in the way discounts are calculated. For the last five years, shoppers with low incomes have gotten extra discounts, called "enhanced subsidies." These extra discounts are set to expire at the end of 2025, unless Congress extends them at the last minute. That means discounts for 2026 won't be as big.
What to do if your rate goes up in 2026
- Get quotes and compare your options. On Kentucky's health marketplace, Kynect, you can see quotes from all the different health insurance companies in your area. If your rate goes up in 2026, shop around and see if there's a cheaper option that works for your needs.
- See if you get discounts. Even though discounts might not be as big next year, they're still an easy way to save if you qualify.
- Consider a lower-tier plan. If you don't go to the doctor often and you're willing to pay for more of your medical bills when you do, consider a lower-tier plan like Bronze. In 2026, you can open a health savings account (HSA) to help you save for your health care costs with a Bronze plan.
- Check if you can get Medicaid. You can get Medicaid in Kentucky if you make less than about $22,000 per year as an individual or about $44,000 per year as a family of four. Medicaid gives you free or very cheap health care if you qualify.
If you live in Kentucky and want to buy Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance, sometimes called "Obamacare" insurance, you can shop on Kynect, the Kentucky insurance exchange.
On Kynect, you can compare Catastrophic, Bronze, Silver and Gold plans from different companies. Every plan tier has coverage for at least 10 health care situations, like doctor visits, emergency care, lab work and prescriptions.
Buying a lower-tier plan, like Catastrophic or Bronze, gives you a cheaper monthly rate but means you'll pay more when you go to the doctor. A higher-tier plan, like Gold, is the opposite. You'll pay more each month but less when you need medical care.
COBRA insurance in Kentucky
If you need health insurance between jobs, buying a plan from Kynect is usually cheaper than COBRA.
In Kentucky, COBRA costs an average of $702 per month for one person, while an ACA plan costs $662 per month, on average. Unless you rely on a specific coverage that your employer plan has that an ACA plan doesn't, getting coverage on Kynect usually makes more sense.
COBRA lets you keep the health insurance you had with your job when you leave.
Coverage usually lasts up to a year and a half after you leave, but you might be able to keep it for three years in some cases. But when you were working, your employer paid part of your monthly medical insurance rate. With COBRA, you have to pay the full price for the plan, and it's usually expensive.
Short-term health insurance in Kentucky
In January 2025, the Trump administration reversed a rule that limits the length of a short-term health policy to three months. That means you can buy short-term health insurance in Kentucky for up to 364 days at a time or three years total, including renewals.
Short-term health insurance isn't sold on Kentucky's state marketplace, Kynect. You have to get coverage directly through a health insurance company.
Pros of short-term health insurance in Kentucky
Cons of short-term health insurance in Kentucky
Health insurance enrollment by income level in Kentucky
Roughly three-quarters of people in Kentucky with marketplace coverage earn less than $45,180 per year.
People who earn a low income will be most impacted by lower health insurance discount levels in 2026.
Enrollment by income
Income | % of total enrollment |
|---|---|
| Less than $15,060 | 1% |
| $15,060 to $20,783 | 5% |
| $20,784 to $22,590 | 10% |
| $22,591 to $30,120 | 28% |
| $30,121 to $37,650 | 18% |
Enrollment in 2025 marketplace plans made during the 2024-2025 open enrollment period. Total may not be 100% due to rounding.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best health insurance in Kentucky?
Ambetter is the best health insurance company in Kentucky. It has a good rating from ValuePenguin's experts and is available across the state.
Will there be health care subsidies in Kentucky in 2026?
Yes, you can still get health care subsidies in Kentucky in 2026. But the size of your discount will likely be smaller than in years past because pandemic-era extra subsidies are expiring at the end of 2025.
Does Kentucky have the Affordable Care Act plans?
Yes, Kentucky has Affordable Care Act health insurance, also called "Obamacare" health insurance. But instead of getting a plan on HealthCare.gov, you'll go to Kentucky's state marketplace, Kynect. From Kynect, you can buy a Catastrophic, Bronze, Silver or Gold health insurance plan.
How much is health insurance in Kentucky?
A Silver plan in Kentucky costs an average of $662 per month for a 40-year-old. While this can be a useful benchmark, your rate will vary based on your age, your location, the company you choose and the plan level you buy.
Is $500 a month normal for health insurance in Kentucky?
$500 per month is below average for health insurance in Kentucky. The average cost for a Silver plan in Kentucky is $662 per month for a 40-year-old and $518 per month for a 21-year-old. You might get a cheaper rate if you have a low income and can get discounts called subsidies.
Methodology
Kentucky health insurance rate data for 2026 is from Kynect. ValuePenguin used the Kentucky state marketplace data to find average rates for different plan tiers, geographic locations and family sizes.
Rates
Rates are based on a 40-year-old with a Silver plan, unless otherwise noted. Rates for Bronze plans include regular and Expanded Bronze plans for 2024, 2025 and 2026, when the plans are available. Your costs and plan options will vary; plans aren't always available in all parts of a state or county.
Subsidies
Rates after subsidies are estimates for a 40-year-old with a Benchmark Silver plan and are based on how subsidies were structured before 2021. Prices are calculated using KFF's rates for full-price Benchmark plans, federal poverty levels (FPLs), IRS rules about premium tax credits and Congressional reports about expanded tax credits. The total cost in the state uses rates calculated by income, which are weighted using Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data on the incomes of those who purchased plans during 2024-2025 open enrollment. The median was used for each income range. Unknown incomes were excluded from the calculations. Incomes of 100% of the federal poverty line and 500% of the federal poverty line were assumed for enrollees who earn less than 100% FPL and more than 500% FPL, respectively. Information about state subsidies, when available, was sourced from state marketplaces.
Ratings
ValuePenguin's experts rank companies based on cost, coverage options, customer satisfaction and unique value. Ratings are out of 100 possible points. ACA ratings show how the company performs in Kentucky for medical care, member experience and plan administration. The 2026 plan quality data from CMS is based on data from the previous year. Ratings are not available for new plans or plans with low enrollment.
More sources
Enrollment trends, including plan selections by tier and enrollment by income, are from CMS data for the 2024-2025 open enrollment period.
Other sources include S&P Global Capital IQ and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Senior Writer
Talon Abernathy is a ValuePenguin Senior Writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. He's also contributed to other insurance verticals including home, renters, auto, motorcycle and flood insurance.
Talon came to ValuePenguin in 2023. Since his arrival, he's helped to expand the site's health insurance-related content offerings. He enjoys helping readers understand the ins and outs of America's all too complicated health insurance landscape.
Before coming to ValuePenguin, Talon worked as a freelance writer. His prior work has touched on a broad range of personal finance-related topics including credit-building strategies, small business incorporation tactics and creative ways to save for retirement.
Insurance tip
In many parts of the country, you can qualify for a free Silver health insurance plan if you meet certain income requirements. Government subsidies in the form of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions may mean you'll pay nothing for coverage.
Expertise
- Health insurance
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Flood insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
- Auto and motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- The Miami Herald
- Money.com
- MSN
- Nasdaq
- The Sacramento Bee
- Yahoo! Finance
Education
- BA, University of Washington
- Certificate in Copyediting, UC San Diego
Credentials
- Licensed Life & Disability Insurance Agent
- Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
