Best Cheap Health Insurance in Vermont (2026)
BlueCross BlueShield is the best health insurance company in Vermont. Its cheapest Silver plans start at $1,080 per month before discounts.
Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Vermont
Best and cheapest health insurance in Vermont
Cheapest health insurance companies in Vermont
The cheapest health insurance plans in Vermont come from MVP Health Care and BlueCross BlueShield, with Silver plans starting at $928 per month before discounts.
Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Vermont
Most affordable health insurance in Vermont
Company |
Cost
| |
|---|---|---|
| MVP Health Care | $928-$1,357 | |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont | $1,080-$1,596 | |
- MVP Health Care sells the cheapest Silver plans, no matter where you live in Vermont. But it's still a good idea to review all your options. Sometimes, it's even cheaper to buy a plan directly from a company instead of applying on Vermont Health Connect, the state's marketplace.
- It's possible to get discounts for health insurance in Vermont. Vermont has expensive insurance rates, and the state is working to make coverage more affordable. If you can get discounts based on your income, you could pay an average of $461 monthly.
- Both MVP Health Care and BlueCross BlueShield are available throughout Vermont. It's a good idea to get quotes and compare rates from both companies, no matter where you live or what plan level you're looking for. That way, you can make sure you're getting the best deal on the coverage you need.
When to buy health insurance directly from a health insurance company
In Vermont, it can be cheaper to buy coverage directly from a health insurance company.
If you can't get discounts on your monthly rate, then buying a Silver plan directly from a health insurance company could be cheaper than buying it on Vermont Health Connect. You can still see these "off-exchange" plans on Vermont Health Connect, labeled with the words "off-marketplace." But when you click on a plan, you'll be taken directly to the company to apply for and buy coverage, rather than doing it on Vermont Health Connect.
If you can get rate discounts, it's better to buy a plan on Vermont Health Connect. If you shop directly from a company, you won't be able to apply discounts to your plan.
Vermont Health Connect shows you options for both on-exchange and off-exchange plans. So you can still shop on the marketplace and see all your options. If you decide an off-exchange plan is a better option, you'll be taken to the company's website to apply.
Best health insurance companies in Vermont
BlueCross BlueShield is the best health insurance company in Vermont.
BlueCross Blue Shield (BCBS) has a 4.0-star rating from HealthCare.gov. Patients were especially happy with their member experience, earning the company five stars on that front. More than 90% of all doctors and hospitals in the country take BCBS insurance, making it easier to find a doctor near you.
Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Vermont
Best-rated health insurance companies in Vermont
Company |
ACA rating
|
VP rating
|
|---|---|---|
| MVP Health Care | N/A | |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont | N/A |
MVP Health Care is also an excellent choice for health insurance in Vermont. MVP has the cheapest rates in the state, and it also has an excellent score from HealthCare.gov. Only two companies sell health insurance plans in VT, and they both have good service and coverage. It's a good idea to compare both options to find the right company and plan for your needs.
How much does health insurance cost in Vermont?
Health insurance in Vermont costs an average of $1,224 per month, but you could pay an average of $461 per month if you get discounts based on your income.
- Vermont has expensive health insurance rates without discounts. A Silver plan costs $1,224 per month, on average.
- But people in Vermont may get cheaper health insurance with discounts tied to their incomes. If you qualify, you could pay an average of $461 per month for health insurance. That's much lower than the cost of health insurance without discounts.
- Your health insurance rate in VT will only vary based on the plan level you pick, where you live in Vermont, how many people your plan covers and the health insurance company you choose. Unlike other states, Vermont doesn't use your age or tobacco use to rate your plan.
Health insurance discount changes in Vermont for 2026
Vermont health insurance costs $461 per month , on average, with discounts based on your income.
For people who can get subsidies, rates will increase from about $204 per month in 2025 to $461 per month in 2026.
Health insurance rates in Vermont 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 | $496 | $1,299 | 162% |
Average cost after subsidies for a single 40-year-old with a Benchmark Silver plan.
How to get subsidies in Vermont
- Who can get subsidies? To qualify, you have to make between $15,650 and $62,600 as a single person or $32,150 and $128,600 as a family of four. Your subsidy will be higher if you make less money.
- How do subsidies work? You can use your subsidy to help you buy a plan from any company. Subsidies can be used for Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum plans, but they can't be used on Catastrophic plans.
- How much do you save? You can use ValuePenguin's subsidy calculator to find out how much a subsidy will lower your health insurance rate.
It's always a good idea to put your income into Vermont Health Connect when you're shopping for plans, to see if you can get discounts. You can only get discounts if you buy your plan on Vermont Health Connect. If you buy directly from an insurance company, the savings won't apply. And you can't use subsidies on Catastrophic plans
If you can get subsidies, a Gold plan can be cheaper than a Silver plan and might give you more coverage.**
Cheap Vermont health insurance plans by city
MVP Health Care sells the cheapest health insurance in Burlington.
In fact, no matter where you live in Vermont, MVP Health Care sells the cheapest Silver health insurance plan.
But a cheap health insurance plan isn't always the best option. MVP Health Care is a good company, but a more expensive plan or a plan from BlueCross BlueShield might be a better fit. Think about your medical needs as well as your monthly budget, and choose a plan that fits both.
Cheapest health insurance by VT county
County | Cheapest plan | Monthly rates |
|---|---|---|
| Addison | MVP Reflective Silver 3 | $928 |
| Bennington | MVP Reflective Silver 3 | $928 |
| Caledonia | MVP Reflective Silver 3 | $928 |
| Chittenden | MVP Health Care Reflective Silver 3 | $928 |
| Essex | MVP Reflective Silver 3 | $928 |
Cheapest Silver plan with rates for a 40-year-old
Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Vermont
Best health insurance by level of coverage
The best health insurance for you and your family will depend on your medical and financial situation.
It also depends on what plans you can get where you live. As you shop for a plan, think about what you can afford to pay each month and how much medical care you expect to need throughout the year.
Platinum plans: Best for expensive medical needs
| Platinum plans pay for about 90% of your medical care. |
Platinum plans cost an average of $1,473 per month in Vermont.
Platinum plans are the highest plan tier in Vermont, which means they cover the largest amount of your medical bills. Because they cover so much, they cost more each month.
If you have a chronic or complex medical condition that requires a lot of care or expensive treatments, a Platinum plan might be the best option. Since these plans cover more of your medical bills and reduce what you have to pay for care, you could save money overall.
Gold plans: Best if you get rate discounts
| Gold plans pay for about 80% of your medical care. |
Gold plans cost an average of $1,250 per month in Vermont if you pay full price.
Gold plans have the cheapest monthly rates in Vermont if you can get discounts because of your income. They also cover a large portion of your medical bills, so they're a good option if you need frequent medical care or just want good coverage. Since Gold plans only cost $26 more per month than Silver plans and cover significantly more of your medical care costs, you could end up saving money in the long run.
Silver plans: Best for most people
| Silver plans pay for about 70% of your medical care. |
The average rate of a Silver plan in Vermont is $1,224 per month.
If you have a moderate or high income, a Silver plan can be a good option. That's because you won't qualify for rate subsidies if you have a higher income. Getting a Silver plan can help you save money. It's cheaper to buy a full-price Silver plan directly from a health insurance company rather than on Vermont Health Connect, the state's marketplace website.
You can still see these "off-marketplace" plans on Vermont Health Connect. They're clearly marked with a red "off-marketplace" label. If you choose one of these plans, you'll be directed to the company's website to buy the coverage.
Bronze plans: Best if you're young, generally healthy and have emergency savings
| Bronze plans pay for about 60% of your medical care. |
Bronze plans cost $901 per month, on average, in Vermont.
These plans pay for about 60% of your medical bills, so they're a good option only if you don't go to the doctor often. If you're young and healthy, a Bronze plan can be a good way to have coverage for emergencies but still save money each month. Just be sure you have savings in the bank to pay your share of the bills if you're seriously ill or injured.
Catastrophic plans: Best if it's your only option
Catastrophic plans cost on average, in Vermont. But you can't use rate discounts to get a cheaper price on Catastrophic plans.
You should buy a Catastrophic plan only if you can't afford anything else. If you have a low income, Medicaid is a better option. And if you get rate discounts, you can buy a higher-tier plan at a lower rate and have better coverage.
You have to pay up to $10,600 of your medical bills each year before a Catastrophic plan starts paying. That can put a serious strain on your finances if you don't have savings. But preventive care, including vaccines, is still covered before you reach the deductible.
You can get a Catastrophic plan only if you're under 30 or qualify for an exemption. You might qualify if you've recently experienced a natural disaster, homelessness or domestic violence.
Cheap or free health insurance in Vermont if you have a low income
Health insurance in Vermont can be expensive. If you have a low income, you might be able to get low-cost or free health insurance through Medicaid. And if you can't get Medicaid, a Silver plan could help you lower your medical bills.
Medicaid in Vermont
Medicaid is a government-funded free health insurance program for people with low incomes. If you make less than about $1,800 per month as a single person or $3,600 per month as a family of four, you could qualify for Medicaid in Vermont. If you are pregnant, you can make more and still qualify.
If you are under age 19, you may qualify for "Dr. Dynasaur coverage," which is Vermont's program for children and teens. Pregnant women can also qualify. Having Medicaid or Dr. Dynasaur coverage can drastically reduce or even eliminate your medical bills.
Use cost-sharing reductions for cheaper medical care
If you have trouble paying for medical care, think about buying a Silver plan. Even with rate discounts, they're more expensive than Gold plans, but the higher monthly cost might be worth it. You can compare the monthly cost for the plans versus how much medical care you need to see which option is cheaper overall.
Silver plans have extra discounts that make your doctor visits and prescription medications cheaper. They're called cost-sharing reductions, and you can only get them if you buy a Silver plan.
To qualify, you have to make between $15,650 and $39,125 per year if you're single or between $32,150 and $80,375 per year for a family of four. About half of everyone who shops on Vermont Health Connect can get cost-sharing reductions. But if you can get Medicaid, you can't get cost-sharing reductions.
Are health insurance rates going up in Vermont in 2026?
Vermont health insurance is 6% more expensive in 2026 compared to 2025, across all plan tiers.
The price of Silver plans, the most popular plan tier in the state, went up 6% between 2025 and 2026. Platinum plans also went up by 5%. Gold and Bronze plans went up by 5% and 6%, respectively.
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Platinum
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $413 | – |
| 2023 | $581 | 41% |
| 2024 | $742 | 28% |
| 2025 | $849 | 14% |
| 2026 | $901 | 6% |
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 | $581 | 41% |
| 2024 | $742 | 28% |
| 2025 | $849 | 14% |
| 2026 | $901 | 6% |
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 | $760 | – |
| 2023 | $760 | 0% |
| 2024 | $908 | 19% |
| 2025 | $1,157 | 27% |
| 2026 | $1,224 | 6% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $791 | – |
| 2023 | $791 | 0% |
| 2024 | $1,056 | 33% |
| 2025 | $1,189 | 13% |
| 2026 | $1,250 | 5% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Platinum
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $961 | – |
| 2023 | $961 | 0% |
| 2024 | $1,271 | 32% |
| 2025 | $1,400 | 10% |
| 2026 | $1,473 | 5% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Why is health insurance expensive in VT in 2026?
Rates are going up because of a range of factors that include the rising costs of health care, inflation, changes in tax credits and increased demands for specialty drugs, such as GLP-1s. The average percentage of rate increases are higher for people receiving subsidies.
Insurance companies usually raise rates to balance when they have to spend more on health care for members. When those costs go up, or subsidies from the government go down, companies usually make insurance more expensive to avoid losing money.
Since the expanded subsidies aren't available for 2026, insurance costs in Vermont will increase as well. Some people receiving subsidies could end up paying more than double their 2025 rates.
How to prepare for the 2026 rate increases
Though rates are higher for 2026, there are still things you can do to potentially lower your rates and get more affordable insurance.
- Get quotes and shop around. If your plan's rates go up in 2026,shop around and see if there's a cheaper option. Just make sure your doctors take the plan before you commit to it.
- See if you can get discounts. Even though the discounts are smaller for 2026, they can still save you money if you qualify. You can use a subsidy calculator to see if you can get discounts.
- Consider a lower-tier plan. A lower-tier plan, such as Bronze, could help you get a cheaper rate. However, you have to pay for more of your medical bills yourself with a Bronze plan. To help you save, consider opening a health savings account (HSA). In 2026, Bronze plans are considered high-deductible health plans, which means you can get an HSA when you sign up.
- See if you qualify for Medicaid. You can get Medicaid in Idaho if you make less than about $39,000 per year as an individual. Medicaid can make your health care free or very cheap.
Short-term health insurance in Vermont
You can't buy short-term health insurance in Vermont.
It's technically legal for companies to sell short-term health insurance in Vermont. But the state has strict rules around coverage, and no insurance companies are currently offering short-term plans.
If you need health insurance for a short amount of time, you can still buy a plan on Vermont Health Connect. You can cancel it at any time without a fee. If you need coverage when you're between jobs, you could get COBRA insurance, which lets you keep the plan you had with a former job after you quit, retire or get fired.
Health insurance enrollment by income level in Vermont
More than half of people with a marketplace plan In Vermont made less than $46,000 in 2025.
That means the higher rates impact people with lower incomes more than others. Individuals with lower incomes are more likely to get health insurance through Vermont Health Connect.
Enrollment by income
Income | % of total enrollment |
|---|---|
| Less than $15,060 | 1% |
| $15,060 to $20,783 | 2% |
| $20,784 to $22,590 | 5% |
| $22,591 to $30,120 | 21% |
| $30,121 to $37,650 | 17% |
Enrollment in 2025 marketplace plans made during the 2024-2025 Open Enrollment period. Total may not be 100% due to rounding
Frequently asked questions
Is health insurance free in Vermont?
No, it's not. However, if you can get Medicaid, you might be able to get free health insurance in Vermont. Medicaid is a type of health insurance that comes from the government, but you have to have a low income to qualify. If you can't get Medicaid, you might still be able to get cheap health insurance using rate discounts called subsidies.
What is Obamacare called in Vermont?
Vermont's state health insurance marketplace is called Vermont Health Connect. If you don't qualify for health insurance through your job, you can get a policy on Vermont Health Connect between Nov. 1 and Jan. 15 each year, unless you have a life change that qualifies you to get coverage outside this time period.
What is the average cost of health insurance in Vermont?
Health insurance costs $1,224 per month, on average, in Vermont. But the amount you pay depends on what tier of insurance you buy and whether you can get discounts based on your income. If you can get discounts, you could pay cheaper rates.
Who qualifies for health insurance subsidies in VT?
You may qualify for health insurance subsidies in 2026 if your income falls below a certain limit. For individuals, you may qualify for subsidies if you make between $15,650 to $62,600. For a family of four, you may qualify if you make between $$32,150 to $128,600. The best way to see what you qualify for is to enter your income information into the Vermont Health Connect portal when you look at plans.
Methodology
To find the cost of health insurance in Vermont for 2026, ValuePenguin gathered rates from Vermont's health insurance exchange, Vermont Health Connect. Our experts organized the plans by plan tier to find the 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. Vermont does not use your age to determine rates.
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 calculated rates by income, which are weighted using CMS data on the incomes of those who purchased plans during last year's 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 Vermont for medical care, member experience and plan administration. This 2026 plan quality data from CMS is based on data from last 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 2025 open enrollment period.
Other sources include S&P Global Capital IQ and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). KFF provided info about the most popular plan tier in Vermont.
Insurance Writer
Cate Deventer is a ValuePenguin writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare, auto and home insurance. She's been a licensed insurance agent since 2011.
She started her insurance career working as a customer service agent for State Farm. She later moved to an independent agency, where she worked with several insurance companies and hundreds of clients. She quoted policies, filed claims and answered insurance questions. In 2021, she pivoted her career and began writing about insurance for Bankrate. She moved to ValuePenguin in 2023 and began writing about health insurance and Medicare.
Cate has a passion for helping readers choose insurance to fit their needs. She enjoys knowing that her research and knowledge help people choose insurance products that make a positive difference in their lives.
How insurance helped Cate
Cate used her health insurance knowledge to navigate a surgery in 2023. Understanding how her policy worked let her focus on recovery instead of worrying about bills.
Expertise
- Health insurance
- Medicare & Medicaid
- Auto insurance
- Home insurance
- Life insurance
Credentials
- Licensed Life, Accident & Health Insurance Agent
- Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
Referenced by
- CBS
- NBC
- Wall Street Journal
Education
- BA, Theatre, Purdue University
- BA, English, Indiana University
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.
