Best Cheap Health Insurance in Kansas (2025)
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has the best health insurance in Kansas. Silver plans from BCBS start at $699 per month before discounts.
Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Kansas
Best and cheapest health insurance in Kansas
Aetna won't sell plans on the Kansas health exchange for 2026. If you have Aetna coverage, you'll need to shop for new coverage during open enrollment (Nov. 1 to Jan. 15).
Good coverage options include Blue Cross Blue Shield for quality service and affordable quotes or Ambetter if you want the cheapest medical insurance in Kansas.
Cheapest health insurance companies in Kansas
Ambetter, Oscar and Aetna have the cheapest health insurance in Kansas, with Silver plans starting at $469 per month before discounts.
Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Kansas
Affordable health insurance plans in Kansas
Company |
Cost
| |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter | $469-$664 |
| Oscar | $477-$541 |
| Aetna | $506-$830 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $575-$679 |
- Ambetter's Silver plans start at $469 per month, which is $173 cheaper each month than the state average.
- Although Blue Cross and Blue Shield can be expensive, it is the best health insurance company in Kansas.
Lowest health care costs: UnitedHealthcare
If you need a lot of medical care, UnitedHealthcare can be a good option.
That's because you'll likely pay less overall toward your medical bills. UnitedHealthcare's Silver plans have the lowest deductibles , on average, in the state.
On average, you'll pay $3,400 before your UnitedHealthcare plan starts covering your medical bills. That's lower than the state average of $4,430.
Best health insurance companies in Kansas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) sells the best medical insurance in Kansas.
The company has an excellent 5-out-of-5-star rating for member experience from HealthCare.gov. That means BCBS customers can easily set appointments and are generally satisfied with the quality of care.
Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Kansas
Best-rated health insurance companies in Kansas
Company |
Editor rating
|
ACA rating
|
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield | 3.0 | |
| Ambetter | 3.0 | |
| Aetna | NA | |
| UnitedHealthcare | NA | |
| Medica | NA |
Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the easiest health insurance to use because most doctors and hospitals take its plans.This lets you choose from a large network of doctors when deciding where to get medical care.** And in most of Kansas, Blue Cross and Blue Shield has excellent customer service.
Everyone in Kansas can get a plan from Blue Cross and Blue Shield. If you live in Johnson or Wyandotte Counties near Kansas City, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City sells the best plans. BCBS of Kansas City is also the most popular insurance company in Kansas, selling about 41% of all plans in the state.
If you live anywhere else in the state, the best option is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.
Aetna and Ambetter are also good options. Both companies have good customer service and few complaints. They also sell more affordable Silver plans than Blue Cross and Blue Shield. But Aetna and Ambetter have smaller doctor networks than BCBS, so you should make sure your doctors take the insurance before you buy a plan.
How much does health insurance cost in Kansas?
Health insurance in Kansas costs $642 per month on average, but you could pay an average of $77 per month if you get discounts based on your income.
Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Kansas
- Health insurance rates generally go up as you get older. In Kansas, a 60-year-old pays more than twice as much each month as a 40-year-old for the same coverage. That's because age makes it more likely that you'll need medical care.
- The plan level you choose also affects your quotes. Health insurance plans are cheaper when they pay for less of your medical care. That's why Catastrophic and Bronze plans are more affordable than Silver and Gold plans.
Get affordable health insurance in Kansas with subsidies
Kansas medical insurance costs $77 per month, on average, if you get income-based discounts that lower your rate.
Almost everyone in Kansas who shops for health insurance on HealthCare.gov qualifies for a discount that lowers the cost of coverage.
- What it is: This discount is called a subsidy, and it's available for people with low incomes.
- How to qualify: You have to make between $15,060 and $60,240 per year as an individual to qualify. If you're a couple, the range is $20,440 to $81,760 per year. Families of four can qualify if they make between $31,200 and $124,800 per year.
- How to use: You can use a subsidy to lower the cost of a Bronze, Silver or Gold plan from any company in Kansas. Subsidies can't be used on Catastrophic plans. And if you qualify for Medicaid because of your income, you can't get subsidies.
- What you'll pay: More than 4 in 10 people in Kansas who get a plan on HealthCare.gov pay $10 or less for a plan. You can use a subsidy calculator to estimate your monthly cost.
If you have a low income, you might also get another discount that makes your medical care cheaper. This is called a cost-sharing reduction, and it lowers your costs when you have to see a doctor.
Cheap Kansas health insurance plans by city
Ambetter sells the cheapest medical insurance in Wichita.
But if you live in Topeka or Lawrence, Oscar has the most affordable Silver plan. In some other parts of Kansas, Aetna is the cheapest option.
Just because a company sells the cheapest Silver plan in your area doesn't mean it's the cheapest for you. It's a good idea to compare health insurance plans to find your best coverage and price.
Cheapest health insurance plan by KS county
County | Cheapest plan | Monthly rates |
|---|---|---|
| Allen | Oscar Silver Simple PCP Saver | $523 |
| Anderson | Oscar Silver Simple PCP Saver | $498 |
| Atchison | Oscar Silver Simple PCP Saver | $498 |
| Barber | Ambetter Clear Silver | $629 |
| Barton | Ambetter Clear Silver | $545 |
Cheapest Silver plan with rates for a 40-year-old
Find Cheap Health Insurance Quotes in Kansas
Best health insurance by level of coverage
The best health insurance plan for you depends on where you live, how much medical care you expect to need and how much you can afford to spend each month.
Usually, the more health care you need, the higher the plan tier you should choose. If you're young or generally healthy, you could consider a lower-tier plan and pay for more of your medical bills yourself.
Gold plans: Best for high medical costs
| Gold plans pay for about 80% of your medical care. |
Gold plans cost $682 per month, on average, in Kansas.
Gold plans give you the highest level of coverage and come with the highest monthly costs. You pay more each month for a Gold plan, and you get the benefit of paying a lower portion of your overall health care bills. That's because Gold plans have lower deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.
Despite the more expensive quotes, Gold plans are a good option if you go to the doctor often or manage a chronic or complex health care issue.
Silver plans: Best for average medical costs
| Silver plans pay for about 70% of your medical care. |
Silver plans cost $642 per month, on average, in Kansas.
Silver plans are a good choice for most people because they give you good coverage at a good price. They have average deductibles, coinsurance and copays, but they cost less than Gold plans each month.
Plus, if you have a low income, you might get a discount that makes your medical bills more affordable. Silver plans are the only plans with this type of discount.
Bronze plans: Best for low medical costs
| Bronze plans pay for about 60% of your medical care. |
Bronze plans cost $504 per month, on average, in Kansas.
Bronze plans have affordable quotes but only pay for about 60% of your medical bills. Bronze plans can be good if you don't need much medical care. But you should make sure you have savings to pay the high out-of-pocket costs in case something serious happens, such as a hospitalization or major injury.
Catastrophic plans: Best as a last resort
Catastrophic plans cost $345 per month, on average, in Kansas.
Catastrophic plans are the cheapest quotes in Kansas but give you the lowest level of coverage. A Catastrophic plan is better than not having any health insurance, but it isn't the best option for most people.
To get a Catastrophic plan, you have to be younger than 30 or qualify for an exemption. You also can't use rate subsidies to lower the monthly cost of a Catastrophic plan like you can with Bronze, Silver and Gold plans.
Cheap or free health insurance plans in Kansas if you have a low income
If you can't afford health insurance, you might be able to get free or low-cost medical insurance through Medicaid. And if you buy a Silver plan, you might qualify for discounts that make medical care cheaper.
Medicaid in Kansas
If you have a low income, you might be able to get cheap or free health insurance with Medicaid.
Kansas has three Medicaid programs.
- KanCare Medicaid can cover children under 19, people under age 26 who aged out of foster care, adult parents and relative caretakers of children, pregnant women, people who are blind or have disabilities and people age 65 or older. This is the main Medicaid program in Kansas.
- KanCare Children's Health Insurance Program, also called CHIP, covers children under age 19 who don't qualify for KanCare Medicaid.
- MediKan covers people applying for Social Security disability benefits.
Kansas is one of the few states that has not expanded its Medicaid program. Qualifying for Medicaid in Kansas is much more difficult than it is in other states.
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 don't qualify for Kansas Medicaid, consider buying a Silver plan. If you make between $15,060 and $37,650 per year as an individual or between $31,200 and $78,000 per year as a family of four, you can get a discount that lowers the amount you have to pay when you go to a doctor. It's called a cost-sharing reduction, and you can only get it on Silver plans.
Plus, you probably also qualify for rate subsidies that make your monthly rate more affordable.
Are health insurance rates going up in KS?
In Kansas, Catastrophic are cheaper in 2025 compared to 2024. But Bronze plans cost $23 more each month. Silver plans cost $40 more each month, and Gold plans are $54 more each month. Medical insurance plans are expected to get significantly more expensive in 2026 across the board.
Catastrophic
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $490 | - |
| 2023 | $527 | 8% |
| 2024 | $378 | -28% |
| 2025 | $345 | -9% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Catastrophic
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $490 | - |
| 2023 | $527 | 8% |
| 2024 | $378 | -28% |
| 2025 | $345 | -9% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Bronze
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $467 | - |
| 2023 | $487 | 4% |
| 2024 | $481 | -1% |
| 2025 | $504 | 5% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Silver
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $534 | - |
| 2023 | $565 | 6% |
| 2024 | $602 | 7% |
| 2025 | $642 | 7% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $594 | - |
| 2023 | $602 | 1% |
| 2024 | $628 | 4% |
| 2025 | $682 | 9% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Why is health insurance expensive in Kansas in 2026?
Insurance companies want to significantly raise health insurance rates in the coming year because of inflation and expiring tax credits.
Companies have requested permission to raise rates by 20% in 2026.
There are several reasons behind this large price increase, including more expensive prescription drug prices, higher health care costs, tariffs and inflation.
Another big factor behind this sudden run-up in the cost of Kansas health insurance is the expiration of Covid-era enhanced government subsidies. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) predicts the average Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan will be around 75% more expensive next year. Four million Americans could lose health coverage in 2026 because of these changes.
How to save on Kansas health insurance in 2026
- You may be eligible for free government health insurance if you earn a low income, called Medicaid.
- If your income is too high for Medicaid, you may still qualify for discounts on plans bought through the Kansas health exchange.
- You can get cheaper quotes by choosing a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). Then open a health savings account (HSA) for more savings.
- Compare quotes from several companies to get the best cheap medical insurance in your area.
Minimum essential health coverage in Kansas
To buy marketplace insurance in Kansas, you can shop on HealthCare.gov. These plans are sometimes called ACA or "Obamacare" plans.
One of the most valuable features of buying ACA plans is that you won't get higher quotes or be denied coverage based on your health or preexisting conditions when you buy a plan.
Every plan has to cover at least 10 common medical situations.
- Doctor visits
- Preventive and wellness care
- Emergency care
- Hospital stays
- Prescription medications
- Lab services
- Pregnancy, maternity and newborn care
- Pediatric care
- Mental health and substance use care
- Rehab services
No matter what plan tier you buy, you'll have coverage for at least these 10 scenarios. Catastrophic and Bronze plans pay the lowest amounts toward your medical bills, while Silver and Gold plans pay the highest amounts.
Average cost of health insurance by family size in Kansas
The more people you cover on your health insurance plan, the more expensive your quote.
An adult couple with two children younger than 15 pays $2,053 per month, on average, for a Silver plan. Children are cheaper to insure than adults, since it's less likely that a child will have a serious or expensive health issue.
Unlike with adults and older children, age doesn't have an impact on the rates of young children. Adding a child under age 15 to a Silver plan in Kansas costs $384 per month. After age 15, your child's rate will increase with age each year.
Family size | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Individual | $642 |
| Individual + child | $1,027 |
| Couple, age 40 | $1,284 |
| Family of three | $1,669 |
| Family of four | $2,053 |
Averages based on a Silver plan for 40-year-old adults and children who are under age 15.
COBRA insurance plans in Kansas
COBRA costs an average of $722 per month for an individual in Kansas.
For a family, the average rate is $2,030 per month. A Silver plan from HealthCare.gov, on the other hand, costs $642 per month, on average, for an individual and between $1,669 and $2,437 for a family of three to five people.
It can be a good idea to get quotes for COBRA insurance in Kansas, but buying a plan from HealthCare.gov is usually more affordable. If you rely on a specific coverage that your employer plan has, though, COBRA is probably a better option.
COBRA is a program that lets you keep the health insurance plan you had at your job after you leave.
But once you leave, you have to pay the full cost of the plan. Your employer will no longer pitch in to lower the monthly rate. Because of this, COBRA can be expensive.
Short-term health insurance plans in Kansas
The Trump administration rolled back a recent rule that limits the length of a short-term health policy to three months, at the start of 2025. Although it's not yet public when this change will happen, short-term health insurance could be available in Kansas for up to 364 days sometime in the coming year.
Short-term health insurance can be a good option if you only need coverage for a short amount of time. One of the most common reasons to buy short-term health insurance is to have coverage when you're between jobs.
However, it's important to remember that these plans typically have worse coverage and fewer protections than regular health insurance you'd get through work or HealthCare.gov.
Pros of short-term health insurance plans in Kansas
Cons of short-term health insurance plans in Kansas
Frequently asked questions
Is $200 a month expensive for health insurance in Kansas?
No, $200 per month for health insurance in Kansas is an affordable rate. That's less than a third of what the average person pays for medical coverage in KS. The best way to save on health insurance in Kansas is to take advantage of ACA subsidies.
What is the best health insurance in Kansas?
The best health insurance in KS comes from Blue Cross Blue Shield. If you live in or around Kansas City, you can buy a plan from BCBS of Kansas City, which is also the most popular company in the state. If you live anywhere else in Kansas, you can buy a plan from BCBS of KS.
How much does health insurance cost per month in Kansas?
Health insurance costs $642 per month, on average, for a 40-year-old with a Silver plan in Kansas. But quotes change depending on your age, how many people you have on your plan, where you live, the plan tier you buy, the company you choose and whether you smoke or use tobacco.
How do I get health insurance in KS?
If you don't have a health plan from your job, you can buy a plan from HealthCare.gov. You'll be able to browse and compare the plans in your area to find the best option for you. To buy a plan, you'll need to create an account and fill out the application.
Methodology
The health insurance rate and policy data for 2025 used in this analysis is from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) documents. ValuePenguin used the CMS public use files (PUFs) to get average state premiums across a variety of factors such as age, plan tier, county and family size. Rates are for a 40-year-old with a Silver plan unless another age or plan tier is mentioned. Plans and providers for which county-level data was included in the CMS Crosswalk file were used in our analysis; those excluded from this data set may not appear.
Subsidy rates are from CMS data and include everyone who bought a policy during 2024 open enrollment and also qualified for advanced premium tax credits (APTCs).
ValuePenguin rated health insurance companies by reviewing each company's rates, coverage, customer satisfaction and unique features.
Additional data sources include the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and KFF. Projected health insurance rate increases for 2026 were taken from KFF.
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.
