Best Cheap Health Insurance in Colorado (2025)
Kaiser Permanente is the best health insurance company in Colorado. Kaiser's cheapest Silver plan costs $449 per month before discounts.
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Best and cheapest health insurance in Colorado
Both Anthem and Rocky Mountain Health Plans are going to be harder to get in Colorado in 2026. The plans won't be available in much of the Front Range area, especially around Denver.
Anthem plans to stop selling its health insurance in 16 counties. Rocky Mountain Health Plan intends to stop selling plans in seven counties. This means that around 96,000 individuals could have to shop for a new health plan in 2026.
However, Anthem has noted that it could still change course and continue selling plans in some or all of these counties.
Cheapest health insurance companies in Colorado
Anthem, Cigna and Kaiser Permanente have the cheapest health insurance plans in Colorado, with Silver rates starting at $405 per month before discounts.
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Affordable health insurance in Colorado
Company |
Cost
| |
|---|---|---|
| Anthem | $405 - $716 |
| Cigna | $437 - $507 |
| Kaiser Permanente | $449 - $521 |
| Elevate Health Plans | $451 - $575 |
- Anthem has the cheapest plans for most people in Colorado, with Silver plans starting at $405 per month. About 80% of Colorado residents will get the cheapest health insurance from Anthem. However, if you live in Colorado Springs or a rural part of the state, the cheapest company in your county may be Kaiser Permanente or Rocky Mountain Health Plan.
- Choose a Bronze plan to save about $100 per month. Lowering your coverage level helps you save each month, but you'll pay more at the doctor, so it's usually only worth it if you're young and healthy.
Best health insurance companies in Colorado
Kaiser Permanente is the best health insurance company in Colorado, earning a perfect 5-star rating from HealthCare.gov.
Kaiser Permanente is known for its excellent customer service and high-quality medical care, which is why it's the only 5-star rated company in Colorado. It's also the most popular health insurance company in Colorado, with about half the health insurance plans in the state.
The downside of Kaiser Permanente is that you can usually only use the doctors at Kaiser's medical facilities.
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Best-rated health insurance companies in Colorado
Company |
Editor rating
|
ACA rating
|
|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente | 5.0 | |
| Select Health | NA | |
| Elevate Health Plans by Denver Health Medical Plan | 4.0 | |
| Anthem | 3.0 | |
| Rocky Mountains Health Plan | 3.0 |
Best health insurance in Colorado for quick coverage
Select Health has the best health insurance plans if you want to pay less before your coverage starts. That's because Select Health has the cheapest average deductibles in Colorado, at $3,301 for Silver plans. That's $818 less than the Colorado state average.
How much does individual health insurance cost in Colorado?
Health insurance in Colorado costs an average of $554 per month if you pay full price or $133 per month if you qualify for discounts based on your income.
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Your health insurance costs are based on your age, the plan you choose and your income.
- Younger people typically pay less each month.
- Lower plan tiers like Bronze are usually cheaper but offer less coverage.
- If you qualify for subsidies, rates are on a sliding scale based on your income.
In Colorado, it usually costs more to buy a Silver plan than a Gold plan, even though the Gold plans have better coverage. If you're looking at a Silver plan, compare your options for Gold, too. You might find that you can get more coverage at a lower price. However, a Silver plan will be the best deal if your income qualifies you for discounts on your medical costs.
Get inexpensive health insurance in Colorado
Health insurance in Colorado costs an average of $133 per month if you qualify for subsidies.
Subsidies can make health insurance affordable, and 29% of Colorado shoppers pay less than $10 per month for a plan. Health insurance subsidies can be applied to Bronze, Silver or Gold plans from any company you choose.
Eligibility for discounted rates is based on your income. You can qualify if you earn less than roughly $60,000 as an individual or less than about $125,000 as a family of four. The lower your income, the more you'll save on a plan.
Cheap Colorado health insurance plans by city
The cost of health insurance changes depending on where you live.
- Anthem has the cheapest health insurance in Denver, at $437 per month.
- Kaiser Permanente has the cheapest health insurance in Colorado Springs, at $453 per month.
Cheapest health insurance plans by CO county
County | Cheapest plan | Monthly rates |
|---|---|---|
| Adams | Anthem Silver Pathway Essentials | $437 |
| Alamosa | Anthem Colorado Option Silver Pathway | $525 |
| Arapahoe | Anthem Silver Pathway Essentials | $437 |
| Archuleta | Anthem Colorado Option Silver Mountain Enhanced | $520 |
| Baca | Anthem Colorado Option Silver Pathway | $525 |
Cheapest Silver plan with rates for a 40-year-old
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Best health insurance by level of coverage
In Colorado, the best health insurance plan for you depends on your monthly budget and how much medical care you need.
Gold plans: Best if you need frequent medical care
| Gold plans pay for about 80% of your medical care. |
Gold plans cost an average of $505 per month in Colorado.
Gold plans have the best coverage. If you need ongoing or complex medical care, Gold plans can save you money overall. They'll help you save on medical costs because of their low deductibles, coinsurance and copays.
Silver plans: Best if you have a low income to get discounts
| Silver plans will pay 73% to 94% of your medical costs if you have a low income. |
In Colorado, Silver plans cost an average of $554 per month. This means that Silver plans can sometimes be more expensive than Gold. So if you don't qualify for medical cost reductions, check if a Gold plan is more affordable than Silver in your area.
If you earn less than about $38,000 per year as an individual or $78,000 per year as a family of four, you'll usually get the best deal with a Silver plan because of a program where you can get discounts on your medical bills.
The cost-sharing reduction program improves your medical coverage if you qualify. But the program is only available if you choose a Silver plan.
Bronze plans: Best if you're young and healthy
| Bronze plans pay for about 60% of your medical care. |
Bronze plans have the cheapest monthly rates, costing an average of $445 per month. They can be good if you are healthy and don't need much medical care. But you'll have to pay a larger part of your medical bills.
A Bronze plan will help you save overall if you only go to the doctor a few times per year. You'll also get free preventive care and your medical bills will be capped if you get very sick or badly injured.
However, your costs for expensive treatment can be high before the plan's full benefits kick in. Be sure you have enough savings to pay for a medical emergency if you choose a Bronze plan.
Medicaid: Free health insurance if you have a low income
If you make less than about $21,000 as a single person or $44,000 as a family of four, Medicaid is the best health insurance option. You'll get great coverage for free or very little cost.
Medicaid is a federal program for people with low incomes. Even if you have a higher household income, you might still qualify for Medicaid if you are pregnant or under age 19.
You can apply for Medicaid in Colorado through the Health First Colorado, where you can also check your benefits or find a doctor after you're enrolled.
Are health insurance rates going up in Colorado?
The average cost of health insurance in Colorado increased by about 9% on average between 2024 and 2025.
Bronze and Gold plan rates increased the most, by an average of 15% and 10% respectively. Silver plan prices rose by only 4% on average. Costs are expected to go up even more in 2026.
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $321 | - |
| 2023 | $354 | 10% |
| 2024 | $386 | 9% |
| 2025 | $445 | 15% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Bronze
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $321 | - |
| 2023 | $354 | 10% |
| 2024 | $386 | 9% |
| 2025 | $445 | 15% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Silver
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $409 | - |
| 2023 | $489 | 20% |
| 2024 | $535 | 9% |
| 2025 | $554 | 4% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $420 | - |
| 2023 | $465 | 11% |
| 2024 | $459 | -1% |
| 2025 | $505 | 10% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Why is health insurance expensive in CO in 2026?
The rising cost of healthcare is causing health insurance rates to go up in 2026.
On average, companies in Colorado are requesting a 26% increase for their 2026 health insurance rates.
When healthcare gets more expensive, health insurance companies spend more money when people go to the doctor. To make up for that, companies charge higher rates for everyone. The high cost and popularity of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy is also causing rate increases.
Another possible cause of high rates in 2026 is changes to marketplace discounts, called subsidies. Since 2021, people with low incomes have gotten bigger discounts, called "enhanced subsidies." However, unless Congress renews them, these larger discounts will expire at the end of 2025. This means that you'll pay more for health insurance even if you can still get a discount.
How to prepare for the 2026 rate increases
- Shop around. If your plan goes up, check to see if there are cheaper plans in your area. Different companies have different rates, and you might find a plan that works for you but costs less each month.
- Lower your coverage. If you need a cheaper plan, you could consider a lower tier, like Bronze. Just remember that you have to pay for more of your healthcare with a Bronze plan. However, you can now open an HSA with Bronze plans, and that can help you save for medical costs.
- Check for discounts. Even though discounts may not be as good in 2026, you should still see if you qualify. Subsidies are based on your income, and the less you make, the more you'll save.
- See if you can get Medicaid. If you make less than about $21,000 per year as a single person or less than $44,000 per year as a family of four, you can probably get on Colorado Medicaid. This is usually free or very inexpensive and pays for most of your medical care.
Colorado insurance marketplace: Connect for Health
All marketplace health insurance plans provide important benefits to protect your health and finances.
- You get free checkups and preventive care as soon as the plan begins.
- You won't be denied coverage or pay more for a plan if you have a pre-existing condition.
- All plans protect you from major medical debt through the out-of-pocket maximum.
Short-term health insurance in Colorado
You can't buy short-term health insurance in Colorado. The state changed its rules for short-term health insurance in 2019. Although short-term health insurance is allowed in Colorado, no insurance companies sell short-term policies.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest health insurance in Colorado?
Anthem has the cheapest Silver plan in Colorado, at $405 per month. That's 27% cheaper than the CO state average. Anthem has the most affordable coverage for more than four out of every five people in Colorado.
What is the best health insurance company in Colorado?
Kaiser Permanente is the best health insurance company in Colorado. It has a perfect five-star rating from HealthCare.gov and consistently high customer satisfaction reviews. Kaiser Permanente also has low rates, with a Silver plan costing an average of $449 per month in Colorado. And Kaiser Permanente is the most popular health insurance company in Colorado. Its plans make up nearly half of all health insurance plans in the state.
Is $500 a month normal for health insurance?
$500 per month is about average in Colorado. On average, Bronze plans cost $445 per month, Silver plans cost $554 per month, and Gold plans cost $505 per month. You might get a cheaper rate if you have a low income and can get discounts.
How much does Obamacare cost in Colorado?
A Silver policy from Colorado's state marketplace costs an average of $554 per month. Gold plans cost $505 per month, which makes them a better deal if you don't qualify for cost-sharing reductions.
Plans sold on the Connect for Health Colorado site are often called Obamacare plans or Affordable Care Act plans. These plans are often the best health insurance if you don't get coverage from a job or qualify for Medicare or Medicaid.
Is Select Health Insurance good in Colorado?
Select Health can be a good option if you want your coverage to start fast, because the company has lower-than-average deductibles. But Select Health's rates tend to be high, with Silver plans that cost between $462 and $570 per month. For comparison, you can get a Silver plan from Anthem for between $405 and $716 per month. Select Health doesn't yet have a rating from the Colorado state marketplace. That doesn't mean it's a bad company, but some people might prefer choosing a company with an established track record.
How do I get health insurance in Colorado?
Most people in Colorado get health insurance from their jobs. If you need to buy a plan yourself, you can shop on Connect for Health Colorado, the state's health insurance marketplace. You can also buy a plan directly from an insurance company, but you won't be able to get discounts that way.
Methodology
The average cost of health insurance is based on a 40-year-old buying a Silver plan, unless otherwise specified. All rates and plan information come from the Connect for Health Colorado state health insurance exchange. Using the premiums, averages were determined for variables such as metal tier, age and county.
Data on rate increase requests from Colorado health insurance companies is from the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker.
Additional sources include KFF, S&P Global and NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners).
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
- Auto insurance
- Home insurance
- Life insurance
Credentials
- Licensed Life, Accident and 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.
