Best Cheap Health Insurance in Wisconsin (2025)
Dean Health has the best health insurance plans in Wisconsin. Its cheapest Silver plan costs $460 per month before discounts.
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Best and cheapest health insurance in WI
Cheapest health insurance companies in Wisconsin
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Dean Health Plan and UnitedHealthcare have the cheapest health insurance plans in Wisconsin, with Silver plan rates starting at $429 per month before discounts.
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Affordable health insurance in Wisconsin
Company |
Cost
| |
|---|---|---|
| Anthem | $429-$865 |
| Dean Health Plan | $460-$671 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $469-$507 |
| Common Ground | $476-$631 |
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has the cheapest health insurance for more than half the people of Wisconsin, including those living in Milwaukee and Madison, with Silver plans starting at $429 per month. Plans are high quality, give you some common drugs for free and pay you cash rewards for healthy activities like getting a checkup.
- Plan options and rates change by where you live. That's why the cheapest health insurance in your county could be Dean Health, Common Ground, Security Health or another company.
- You can lower your health insurance costs by applying for discounts when you shop on HealthCare.gov. Health insurance discounts, called subsidies, can be used with plans from any company you choose. The lower your income, the more you'll save on a health insurance plan.
Best health insurance companies in Wisconsin
Dean Health Plan has the best overall health insurance in Wisconsin for individuals and families.
Dean Health Plan gets a high 4-star rating from HeathCare.gov, with high marks for medical coverage and customer satisfaction. The company has high-quality health insurance plans with good coverage and lower deductibles than average. Plans also include helpful extras like free virtual care, rides to the doctor, cheap insulin and cheap urgent care appointments.
The best plans from Dean Health Plan use the company's HMO network, which gives you access to 34 hospitals and more than 3,000 doctors. Dean's plans with the Focus network are about $50 per month cheaper and give you access to fewer doctors and hospitals.
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Best-rated health insurance companies in Wisconsin
Company |
Editor rating
|
ACA rating
|
|---|---|---|
| Dean Health Plan | 4.0 | |
| Anthem | 4.0 | |
| HealthPartners | 4.0 | |
| Chorus Community Health Plans | 4.0 | |
| UnitedHealthcare | N/A |
HealthPartners: Best PPO plans for flexible coverage
HealthPartners is the only insurance company in Wisconsin that sells PPO plans. Choosing a PPO is the best way to get flexible coverage.
- Good plan quality: HealthPartners has great customer satisfaction and good ratings of four out of five stars from both ValuePenguin editors and HealthCare.gov.
- How PPO plans work: With a PPO plan, you won't need to get a referral from your main doctor before seeing a specialist. In addition, you'll have some coverage for any doctor in the country because the plan covers out-of-network medical care.
- Costs and when it's worth it: A Silver plan from HealthPartners starts at $507 per month before discounts, which is more expensive than many other options. But it can be worth it to pay for a HealthPartners PPO plan if you have ongoing health issues where you want more choices about your doctors and to avoid hassles when getting specialized medical care.
UnitedHealthcare has cheap plans that sometimes include dental
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is another good insurance company in Wisconsin.
- Rates are cheap, starting at $469 per month before discounts, and the plans are a good value. Plan options like Silver Value or Silver Advantage often include free virtual urgent care, cheap prescriptions, adult dental coverage and vision benefits.
- The downside is that UHC is new to Wisconsin in the past few years, so there isn't rating data about how the company performs in the state. Further, UHC is only available in 13 counties.
How much does health insurance cost in Wisconsin?
Health insurance in Wisconsin costs an average of $608 per month if you pay full price or $117 per month if you qualify for discounts based on your income.
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- Age has a big impact on your health insurance costs. In Wisconsin, the cost of health insurance increases by an average of 28% between the ages of 21 and 40 — and more than double between age 40 and 60.
- The plan tier you choose also affects how much you pay. A higher-tier plan, such as Platinum or Gold, will cost more each month than a Silver or Bronze plan. But you'll pay less when you visit the doctor or get a prescription filled with the higher-tier plan.
Get affordable health insurance in Wisconsin
The average cost of health insurance in Wisconsin is $117 per month if you qualify for discounted health insurance.
How much you save on insurance is based on your income, and nearly a third of marketplace shoppers in Wisconsin pay less than $10 per month for health insurance after discounts.
Use the health insurance subsidy calculator to estimate your savings and how much you'll pay based on your income.
You're usually eligible for discounts if you make less than $60,240 as a single person or $124,800 as a family of four. Even if you have a higher income, you may still get a discount so you won't pay more than 8.5% of your income on health insurance.
Cheap Wisconsin health insurance plans by city
In Milwaukee, Anthem Blue Cross has the cheapest health insurance rate for a Silver plan, at $457 per month before discounts.
Anthem is also the cheapest health insurance company in Madison, Kenosha, Racine and Appleton. But in Green Bay, Common Ground has the cheapest insurance, and in Eau Claire, Security Health is the cheapest.
Your health insurance options differ widely depending on where you live in Wisconsin. You'll have an average of four or five health insurance companies to choose from in most counties, even though there are 13 companies selling health insurance in the state.
Cheapest health insurance plans by WI county
County | Cheapest Silver plan | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Adams | Aspirus Health Plan HMO Silver 5000 | $498 |
| Ashland | Security Health Plan Select | $634 |
| Barron | Security Health Plan Select | $610 |
| Bayfield | Medica Essentia Choice Care | $539 |
| Brown | Common Ground Silver | $476 |
Cheapest Silver plan with rates for a 40-year-old
Best health insurance by level of coverage
To get the best deal on health insurance, choose your level of coverage based on the amount of medical care you expect to need.
The rule of thumb is that if you think you'll have high medical costs, it's worth it to pay more for a plan with better benefits so you'll pay less at the doctor. But if you only need routine medical care, you may save money by choosing a plan with less coverage, even if you pay more for doctor appointments.
All tiers of coverage will give you free checkups and preventive care as soon as the plan begins and cap your costs if you get very sick or badly injured.
Platinum plans: Best for expensive medical care
| Platinum plans pay for about 90% of your medical care. |
Platinum plans cost $604 per month, on average, in Wisconsin.
Platinum medical insurance plans have the highest level of coverage in Wisconsin. You'll only pay an average of $167 for your deductible before your health coverage starts paying toward your medical bills.
Though these plans are expensive, you'll pay much less when you get medical care compared to other plans. However, you can only get Platinum plans if you live around Madison.
Gold plans: Best if you go to the doctor often
| Gold plans pay for about 80% of your medical care. |
Gold plans cost an average of $659 per month in Wisconsin.
Gold health insurance plans have good coverage — and unlike Platinum plans, you can get them no matter where you live in Wisconsin.
If you have a chronic illness or are expecting to need an expensive procedure but don't have access to a Platinum plan because of where you live, consider a Gold plan.
Silver plans: Best health insurance for most people
| Silver plans pay for about 70% of your medical care. |
In Wisconsin, a Silver plan costs an average of $608 per month. Silver plans balance affordable monthly rates and moderate medical costs.
Silver plans are a good level of coverage for most people. Your medical costs won't be as high as if you had a Bronze plan, and you'll usually pay less each month than you would for a Gold plan.
Bronze plans: Best if you're healthy and only need routine care
| Bronze plans pay for about 60% of your medical care. |
Bronze plans are the cheapest tier of coverage, costing an average of $483 per month. This can help keep your monthly costs low.
However, you typically won't have much coverage until after you've paid for thousands of dollars of medical care yourself. As such, Bronze plans are a good deal if you only expect to go to the doctor a few times for routine health care.
A Bronze plan will protect you from high costs if you have an unexpected injury or get very sick. But it's a good idea to have enough savings to cover the plan's high deductible so you'll be prepared if there's an emergency.
Catastrophic plans: Basic coverage for emergencies
A Catastrophic plan costs an average of $328 per month in Wisconsin.
A Catastrophic health plan will only start covering your medical costs after you've paid $9,200 in medical bills yourself. They're only a good choice if you want coverage for emergencies. Plus, you'll have to pay full price, since the plans aren't eligible for discounts.
In many cases, a Bronze plan will give you much better coverage for a lower monthly cost after the discounts are applied.
Cheap or free health insurance in Wisconsin if you have a low income
If you have a low income, you could lower your health costs through Medicaid or the cost-sharing reduction (CSR) program, which helps you get an insurance plan with great benefits.
Free health insurance in Wisconsin through Medicaid
Medicaid is the best health insurance if you have a low income. With Medicaid, your insurance and your medical care will be free or very low cost.
However, it's more difficult to qualify for Medicaid in Wisconsin than in other states, as Wisconsin hasn’t expanded eligibility to meet the federal standards.
BadgerCare Plus is the name of Wisconsin's Medicaid program if you're younger than age 65.
- Adults are eligible for BadgerCare Plus with an income that's less than the federal poverty level — about $15,000 for individuals or $31,000 for a family of four.
- Children and those who are pregnant can qualify for BadgerCare Plus with a higher income, about $45,000 for individuals and nearly $94,000 for a family of four.
- BadgerCare Plus is free for those who have a low income. But if you have a higher income, you could have a monthly cost, called a premium.
How BadgerCare Plus (Medicaid) works in Wisconsin
Most people in Wisconsin get their Medicaid benefits through a plan offered by an insurance company. This is called a managed Medicaid plan.
Even though the government provides the benefits, the insurance company manages the plan details, pays your medical bills and decides which network of doctors you can use.
UnitedHealthcare, Security Health and Children's Community Health Plan have the best Medicaid plans in Wisconsin.
Use cost-sharing reductions for cheaper medical care
If you make too much to qualify for Medicaid, you might be able to get cheap medical care by signing up for a Silver health insurance plan on HealthCare.gov and using the cost-sharing reductions program to lower your health costs.
You'll automatically get cost-sharing reductions if you're enrolled in the Silver plan and meet the income criteria of earning less than about $37,650 as an individual or $78,000 as a family of four. On HealthCare.gov, you'll know the discount is applied when the plan says "Extra savings" in orange.
If you qualify for cost-sharing reductions, you'll also qualify for health insurance discounts to lower the monthly cost of a health insurance plan.
Are health insurance rates going up in WI?
The cost of health insurance in Wisconsin increased by an average of 8% between 2024 and 2025.
Silver plans had the smallest increase, at 4% — it’s an extra $25 per month.
The cost of Bronze plans, a lower-cost option, increased by an average of 9%. That's $39 more per month, on average.
However, rates are expected to be even higher for all plan levels in 2026.
Catastrophic
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Platinum
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $280 | - |
| 2023 | $292 | 4% |
| 2024 | $297 | 2% |
| 2025 | $328 | 10% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Catastrophic
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $280 | - |
| 2023 | $292 | 4% |
| 2024 | $297 | 2% |
| 2025 | $328 | 10% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Bronze
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $372 | - |
| 2023 | $411 | 10% |
| 2024 | $444 | 8% |
| 2025 | $483 | 9% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Silver
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $514 | - |
| 2023 | $550 | 7% |
| 2024 | $583 | 6% |
| 2025 | $608 | 4% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $509 | - |
| 2023 | $556 | 9% |
| 2024 | $598 | 8% |
| 2025 | $659 | 10% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Platinum
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $493 | - |
| 2023 | $526 | 7% |
| 2024 | $557 | 6% |
| 2025 | $604 | 8% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Why is health insurance expensive in WI in 2026?
Health care costs keep rising, which is the main reason health insurance rates are going up in 2026.
When it costs more to go to the doctor or get medication, health insurance companies have to pay more toward your medical bills. That extra cost adds up across all their customers. To balance it out, medical insurance companies raise rates for everyone. In Wisconsin, health insurance companies want to raise rates by 16%, on average.
One of the biggest reasons that health insurance rates are rising is the cost for weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which have become expensive and increasingly popular. That means rates have to go up for everyone so that health insurance companies can afford to pay for these medications.
Another reason that rates could be higher in 2026 has to do with discounts. For the last five years, people with low incomes have gotten bigger discounts, called "enhanced subsidies," on HealthCare.gov plans. However, these extra discounts are only valid until the end of 2025, unless Congress extends them. This means that any discounts you get next year won't be as big.
What to do if your rate goes up in 2026
- Get quotes and shop around. Check out the other companies and plans in your area, and see if there's a cheaper option that still fits your needs. Just make sure your doctors are in the plan's network before you commit.
- Consider switching to a Bronze plan. Lower-tier plans, like Bronze, come with cheaper monthly rates that can save you money. However, you do have to pay for more of your health care costs with a Bronze plan. If you need help saving, consider opening a health savings account (HSA), which is a new perk with Bronze plans in 2026.
- Check if you get discounts. Even if discounts aren't as big in 2026, they could still help you save money if you have a low income. It never hurts to use a subsidy calculator to see if you qualify.
- See if you can get BadgerCare Plus. This is Wisconsin's Medicaid program, and it can give you free or cheap health care if you have a very low income. However, Wisconsin hasn't expanded its Medicaid program, which means it's harder to qualify than it is in other states.
Marketplace health insurance in Wisconsin
Marketplace health insurance is a regular health insurance plan you can buy on HealthCare.gov. These plans meet the standards of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as "Obamacare."
- You can't be charged more or denied a plan because of your health history.
- All plans cover essential medical care, including prescriptions, mental health, hospital care and pregnancy.
- Preventive care is free as soon as the plan begins — that includes checkups, health screenings and birth control.
Average cost of health insurance by family size in Wisconsin
The cost of health insurance goes up for each person you add to the plan. However, rates for children are much cheaper than for adults.
In Wisconsin, it costs an average of $364 per month for each child you add to your family medical insurance plan.
Family size | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Individual | $608 |
| Individual and child | $972 |
| Couple, age 40 | $1,217 |
| Family of three | $1,581 |
| Family of four | $1,945 |
Averages based on a Silver plan for 40-year-old adults and children who are under age 15.
Short-term health insurance in Wisconsin
Earlier this year, the Trump administration canceled a new rule that would limit how long short-term health policies can last to three months. There isn't a timeline for when this change will happen. However, short-term health insurance that can last up to 364 days may be sold in Wisconsin sometime in 2025.
Short-term health insurance plans are available in Wisconsin. You can buy these plans at any time during the year, but they usually offer worse coverage than Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance.
Pros of short-term health insurance in Wisconsin
Cons of short-term health insurance in Wisconsin
Frequently asked questions
Does Wisconsin have free health care?
Wisconsin's Medicaid program, known as BadgerCare Plus gives you medical care that's nearly free. You'll typically pay between 50 cents and $3 for most medical services, and it's free to enroll in BadgerCare Plus if you have a low income.
What is the average monthly cost of health insurance in Wisconsin?
Health insurance in Wisconsin costs an average of $608 per month if you pay full price. Rates are cheaper if you're younger, you choose a plan with less coverage or you qualify for health insurance discounts. The typical cost after discounts is $117 per month, and how much you'll pay is based on your income.
What is the best health insurance in Wisconsin?
Dean Health Plan is overall the best health insurance company in Wisconsin because it has high-quality plans for an affordable rate. HealthPartners is another great company if you want more flexibility about your doctors.
How will Medicaid eligibility change if Wisconsin expands Medicaid?
The Medicaid income limit for Wisconsin adults would change from $15,060 per year to $20,783 per year if Wisconsin expanded Medicaid to meet national standards. Medicaid eligibility would change from having an income up to the federal poverty line to having an income up to 38% higher than the poverty limit.
Is $200 a month expensive for health insurance in WI?
No, $200 per month for health insurance is actually cheap in Wisconsin. You can probably only get a plan for $200 or less if you have a low income and get discounts. Otherwise, health insurance costs $608 per month for a 40-year-old or $476 per month for a 21-year-old, on average.
Methodology
Health insurance rates in Wisconsin are from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) public use files. Costs are based on a 40-year-old with a Silver plan unless otherwise noted.
The cost of insurance after subsidies is also from CMS and is based on all consumers who bought plans during the 2024 open enrollment period and had advance premium tax credits (APTCs) applied to their monthly bill.
Data on rate increase requests by Wisconsin health insurance companies is from the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker.
Information about plan quality is from CMS and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Additional sources include KFF, S&P Global and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
Analyst
Stephanie Guinan is an Analyst for ValuePenguin/LendingTree. She specializes in simplifying complex insurance topics for consumers.
She’s also worked as an award-winning data journalist and content marketing writer. Stephanie’s work has been cited by Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Rolling Stone and more.
Expertise
- Health insurance and Medicare
- Home and auto insurance
- Crunching numbers
Referenced by
- Wall Street Journal
- New York Times
- Rolling Stone
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.
