Cheapest health insurance companies in Delaware
Ambetter, Ambetter and AmeriHealth have the cheapest health insurance plans in Delaware, with Gold plans that cost as little as $727 per month before discounts.
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Affordable health insurance plans in Delaware
Company |
Cost
| |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter Health of Delaware | $727-$811 |
| AmeriHealth Caritas Next | $738-$765 |
| Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware | $748-$833 |
- Ambetter sells the cheapest health insurance in Delaware, with Gold plans starting at $727. Its Gold plans are the cheapest option in all three of Delaware's counties.
- But it's often worth it to pay more for a plan from Highmark because you'll be able to see any doctor and still have some coverage.
- Gold plans are the best option for most people in Delaware. They give you a high level of coverage but don't cost much more than the middle-of-the-road Silver plans. Gold plans are also the most popular plan tier, making up 38% of all plans sold on HealthCare.gov in Delaware.
- But if you have a low income, a Silver plan may be a better option because you can get discounts that make medical care cheaper.
Best health insurance companies in Delaware
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield sells the best health insurance plans in Delaware.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has a high 4-out-of-5-star rating from HealthCare.gov. This rating measures the quality of medical care, the ease of getting services and overall customer satisfaction. It’s a good sign that customers are happy with their coverage. However, the company has significantly more complaints than an average company of its size. That means customers filed complaints about their plans, the company's customer service or other similar concerns.
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Best-rated health insurance companies in Delaware
Company |
ACA rating
|
VP rating
|
|---|---|---|
| Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware | 4.0 | |
| Ambetter Health of Delaware | N/A | |
| AmeriHealth Caritas Next | N/A |
Highmark is the only company in Delaware that sells PPO plans. These plans give you the most flexibility when choosing doctors because you can see any doctor and still have coverage. You'll pay more when you go to out-of-network doctors, but your insurance will still pay some of the cost. All of Highmark's plans in Delaware are PPOs.
You also don't need a referral to see a specialist when you have a PPO plan. This makes them an especially good choice if you go to the doctor often or manage chronic or complex medical issues. Being able to see a specialist without a referral lets you get care faster.
How much is health insurance in Delaware per month?
Health insurance in Delaware costs an average of $773 per month for a Gold plan, but you could pay about $265 per month if you get discounts because of your income.
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- The plan tier you choose and your age both affect your health insurance costs.
- A 60-year-old pays more than twice as much as a 40-year-old for health insurance across all plan tiers.
- Once you reach 65, you usually qualify for Medicare, which almost always lowers the cost of insurance.
Health insurance discount changes in Delaware for 2026
Health insurance in Delaware could potentially cost about $265 per month per month, on average, if you get discounts based on your income.
For people who can get subsidies, rates might increase from about $148 in 2025 to $265 in 2026. That's because discount levels are changing for 2026. Since 2021, shoppers on Healthcare.gov and state marketplaces have gotten higher discounts called "expanded subsidies." These better discounts expire at the end of 2025. While you may still be able to get discounts based on your income, they won't be as good as they were before.
Health insurance rates in Delaware 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 | $691 | 39% |
Average cost after subsidies for a single 40-year-old with a Benchmark Silver plan.
- Who can get subsidies? You have to make between $15,650 and $62,600 per year as a single person or between $32,150 and $128,600 as a family of four to qualify for subsidies. You'll get a bigger discount if you make less money.
- How do subsidies work? You can use your discount on any Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum plan from any company. You can't use subsidies 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.
Cheap Delaware health insurance plans by city
Ambetter has the cheapest health insurance throughout Delaware.
That includes Wilmington, Dover, Newark and Middletown, which are Delaware's largest cities. But remember to look at more than just a plan's rates when you're shopping for health insurance. Be sure to review the coverage, too.
Cheapest health insurance plans by DE county
County | Cheapest plan | Monthly rates |
|---|---|---|
| Kent | Ambetter Clear Gold | $727 |
| New Castle | Ambetter Clear Gold | $727 |
| Sussex | Ambetter Clear Gold | $727 |
Cheapest Gold plan with rates for a 40-year-old
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Best health insurance by level of coverage
The best health insurance for you depends on your monthly budget and how much medical care you need.
Gold and Platinum plans cost more each month, but you'll pay less when you need medical care. If you want a cheaper monthly rate, consider a Bronze plan. But keep in mind you'll have to pay a larger portion of your medical bills.
Platinum plans: Best for high medical costs
| Platinum plans pay for about 90% of your medical care. |
Platinum plans cost $1,018 per month, on average, in Delaware.
Platinum plans are best if you need a lot of medical care. For example, if you need expensive treatments for cancer or expect to need a pricey surgery in the coming year, a Platinum plan might be worth it.
Platinum plans have the highest monthly rates, but they pay for the biggest share of your medical bills. And in Delaware, Platinum plans don't have a deductible, which means your coverage starts right away.
Gold plans: Best for most people
| Gold plans pay for about 80% of your medical care. |
In Delaware, Gold plans cost an average of $773 per month.
Gold plans are best for most people in Delaware because they give you good coverage and a good rate. In Delaware, Gold plans cost only about $14 more per month than a Silver plan. Some Gold plans are even cheaper than Silver plans.
Because of this, Gold plans are the most popular plan level in Delaware.
Silver plans: Best if you have a low income
| Silver plans pay for about 70% of your medical care. |
Silver plans cost an average of $759 per month in Delaware.
Silver medical insurance plans are usually a good middle-of-the-road option, with modest rates and decent coverage. But in Delaware, most people will do better with a Gold plan.
If you make between $15,650 and $39,125 per year as a single person, or between $32,150 and $80,375 per year as a family of four, though, a Silver plan may be the best option. You can qualify for extra discounts that make your medical care cheaper if you have a low income, and they are available only when you buy a Silver plan.
Bronze plans: Best for healthy people
| Bronze plans pay for about 60% of your medical care. |
Bronze plans cost $591 per month, on average, in Delaware.
Bronze plans cover about 60% of your medical bills, so they're a good idea only if you don't need much medical care. If you're young and healthy, a Bronze plan can be a good way to have coverage just in case of serious illnesses or injuries. Just make sure you have savings to pay for your share of the bills.
Catastrophic plans: Best as a last resort
Catastrophic plans cost an average of $468 per month in Delaware.
Catastrophic plans are a good option only if you can't afford anything else but don't qualify for Medicaid. If something serious happens, you could pay up to $10,600 of your own medical bills before your plan starts to pay.
You can't buy a Catastrophic plan unless you're younger than 30 or if you qualify for a hardship exemption. Catastrophic plans are also not eligible for premium tax credits, which could make them more expensive than a Bronze plan if you earn a low income.
Cheap or free health insurance in Delaware if you have a low income
If you have a low income, you might be able to get free health insurance through Medicaid. If you can't get Medicaid, buying a Silver plan is a good idea because it comes with extra discounts.
Medicaid plans in Delaware
Medicaid is a type of free health insurance from the government for people who have low incomes. You can qualify for Medicaid in Delaware if you earn below roughly $22,000 for a single person or $44,000 for a family of four. In certain situations, you can make more and still qualify.
Use cost-sharing reductions for cheaper medical care
If you make between $15,650 and $39,125 per year as a single person, buying a Silver plan can be a good idea. You'll qualify for extra discounts, called cost-sharing reductions, that let you pay less when you go to the doctor. The discounts lower the deductible, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximum costs on a Silver plan. Sometimes, the coverage you'll get is even better than a Gold plan. But if you qualify for Medicaid, you can't get cost-sharing reductions.
Are health insurance rates going up in DE in 2026?
The average cost of health insurance in Delaware went up by 29% between 2025 and 2026.
Bronze and Silver plans saw the biggest increase. They now cost 31% more in 2026 compared to 2025. Platinum plans had the smallest increase, at 26%. Gold plans, the most popular plan level in the state, went up by 30%, and since 2022, Gold plans have gone up by 39%.
Catastrophic
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Platinum
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $307 | – |
| 2023 | $319 | 4% |
| 2024 | $345 | 8% |
| 2025 | $368 | 7% |
| 2026 | $468 | 27% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Catastrophic
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $307 | – |
| 2023 | $319 | 4% |
| 2024 | $345 | 8% |
| 2025 | $368 | 7% |
| 2026 | $468 | 27% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Bronze
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $413 | – |
| 2023 | $449 | 9% |
| 2024 | $437 | -3% |
| 2025 | $450 | 3% |
| 2026 | $591 | 31% |
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 | $555 | – |
| 2023 | $566 | 2% |
| 2024 | $567 | 0% |
| 2025 | $578 | 2% |
| 2026 | $759 | 31% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $555 | – |
| 2023 | $583 | 5% |
| 2024 | $570 | -2% |
| 2025 | $593 | 4% |
| 2026 | $773 | 30% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Platinum
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $687 | – |
| 2023 | $769 | 12% |
| 2024 | $796 | 4% |
| 2025 | $805 | 1% |
| 2026 | $1,018 | 26% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Why is health insurance expensive in DE in 2026?
Health insurance is expensive in 2026 because healthcare is getting more expensive.
Health insurance rates rose by 29% in Delaware for 2026.
General inflation and the rising popularity of expensive prescription medicine, such as the weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, are driving up health care costs. Insurance companies are paying more, and to make up for it, they charge higher rates.
Tax credits that have kept rates down for many Americans may not be renewed for 2026, raising rates for many people with lower incomes.
Rather than pay more, people who are generally healthy may cancel their health insurance. The people who keep their coverage generally use healthcare more often. This can drive prices up even more.
What you can do if your healthcare rate increases
- Compare your options. Companies set their rates differently, so you might be able to get a better deal shopping around. You can go to healthcare.gov and get medical insurance quotes and find the cheapest option that fits your needs.
-
Look at a lower-tier plan. Lower-tier plans, like Bronze, have cheaper rates, but you’ll pay more each time you need healthcare. Switching can be a good option if you have enough money saved in case you have an accident or get really sick.
-
See if you can get discounts or go on Medicaid. You may qualify for Medicaid or subsidies if you have a low income. It can greatly decrease your rate.
-
Consider getting a Health Savings Account. An HSA helps you to save up money for healthcare and lets you skip on paying taxes for covered expenses. But you’ll need a high-deductible health plan to get one, and that means you’ll have less coverage in general.
Average cost of health insurance by family size in Delaware
Your monthly medical insurance bill will grow along with the size of your family. A single person with a child will pay an average of $1,236 per month. Each additional child costs $463 on average.
Family size | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Individual | $773 |
| Individual and child | $1,236 |
| Couple | $1,547 |
| Family of three | $2,010 |
| Family of four | $2,473 |
Averages based on a Gold plan for 40-year-old adults and children who are under age 15.
COBRA insurance in Delaware
It's usually cheaper to buy a plan on HealthCare.gov than it is to get COBRA insurance in Delaware.
For a single person, a Gold plan costs $733 per month, on average, while COBRA costs $781 per month. Unless you rely on a specific coverage that your employer plan has but an ACA plan doesn't, COBRA isn't usually the best deal.
COBRA insurance lets you keep the health insurance plan you had with your employer after you leave, retire or are fired. COBRA usually lets you keep your plan for up to a year and a half, although you might be able to keep it for up to three years in some cases.
But once you leave your job, your employer won't help pay for your health insurance plan. You have to pay the full amount. That's why COBRA tends to be expensive.
Short-term health insurance in Delaware
You can buy short-term health insurance in Delaware, but plans can last for only three months at a time. You can't extend the plans for another month as you can in other states, and you can't buy another policy once the three months are up. You also can't buy another plan from the same company more than once per year.
Pros of short-term health insurance plans in Delaware
Cons of short-term health insurance plans in Delaware
Health insurance enrollment by income level in Delaware
The changes to health insurance discounts in Delaware for 2026 will impact people with low incomes the most.
People with lower incomes are more likely to get a plan from Healthcare.gov than through an employer. For example, in Delaware in 2025, more than 60% of people with a marketplace plan made less than $37,651.
Enrollment by income
Income | % of total enrollment |
|---|---|
| Less than $15,060 | 1% |
| $15,060 to $20,783 | 9% |
| $20,784 to $22,590 | 18% |
| $22,591 to $30,120 | 19% |
| $30,121 to $37,650 | 14% |
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 $200 a month expensive for health insurance in Delaware?
In Delaware, $200 a month is cheap for health insurance. Catastrophic plans, which generally do not offer enough coverage for most people, costs an average of $468 per month in the Diamond State. Unfortunately, getting rates as low as $200 may be difficult. Even with subsidies, the average person could pay $265 per month for a Silver plan. You may be able to get lower rates or pay nothing at all if you qualify for Medicaid.
What is the average cost of health insurance in Delaware?
A Gold plan, the most popular plan tier in Delaware, costs $773 per month, on average. Your rate depends on the plan tier you buy, your age, where you live in the state, how many people you want your plan to cover and what company you pick.
How do you get free health insurance in Delaware?
You may qualify for free health insurance from Medicaid if you make less than about $22,000 per year as a single person or about $44,000 per year as a family of four. In some cases, such as if you're pregnant, you might be able to make more and still qualify.
What's the best health insurance in Delaware?
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has the best health insurance plans in Delaware. Highmark is the only company that sells PPO plans in Delaware. A PPO lets you go to a specialist without a referral and also see any doctor and still have some coverage. The added flexibility of a PPO is usually worth the higher price.
How can I qualify for subsidies in Delaware?
To qualify for subsidies in Delaware, you'll need to make between $15,650 and $62,600 as an individual, $21,150 and $84,600 as a couple, and $32,150 and $128,600 as a family of four. If your income is higher than the maximum limit, you may not qualify for discounts on your health insurance.
When you shop for coverage through Healthcare.gov, enter your income information to see how much of a discount you qualify for.
Methodology
Delaware health insurance rate data for 2026 is from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website. ValuePenguin used the CMS public use files (PUFs) 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 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 Delaware 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.
Rate increase request data for Delaware health insurance companies is from the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker.
Information about the most popular plan tier in Delaware and COBRA insurance is from KFF. Other sources include the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and S&P Global Capital IQ.
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.
