Best Cheap Health Insurance in Georgia for 2026
Kaiser Permanente sells the best health insurance in Georgia. The cheapest Silver plan from Kaiser costs $621 per month before discounts.
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Best and cheapest health insurance in Georgia
Cheapest health insurance companies in Georgia
Alliant, Oscar and Ambetter have the cheapest individual health insurance in Georgia. Silver plans start at $474 per month before discounts.
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Affordable health insurance in Georgia
Company |
Cost
| |
|---|---|---|
| Alliant Health Plans | $474-$837 |
| Oscar | $488-$734 |
| Ambetter | $528-$838 |
| CareSource | $563-$914 |
- Alliant has the cheapest health insurance plan in Georgia. It's also the cheapest option for about one-quarter of the state's population and nearly half the state, including Augusta and Macon.
- Kaiser Permanente has the cheapest rates for roughly six in 10 Georgians, including those who live in the Atlanta metro area.
- You can also get affordable quotes by choosing a lower level of coverage, like a Bronze plan, or by signing up for subsidies, which give you discounted rates based on your income.
Aetna will stop selling coverage on the Georgia health marketplace starting in 2026.
That means if you currently have Aetna health insurance, you'll have to switch to a new company during open enrollment, which runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15.
Best health insurance companies in Georgia
Kaiser Permanente is the best health insurance company in Georgia.
Kaiser Permanente has a perfect score of 5 out of 5 stars from HealthCare.gov. Plans have excellent customer service and give you access to top-quality medical care. The downside is that you won't have as much flexibility about your medical care because, in most cases, you'll only have coverage at Kaiser's medical centers in the Atlanta region.
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Best-rated health insurance companies in GA
Company |
ACA rating
|
VP rating
|
|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente | ||
| UnitedHealthcare | ||
| Ambetter | ||
| Alliant Health Plans | ||
| Anthem |
Alliant is the best health insurance company in Georgia if you want more flexibility with what doctors you can see and which hospitals you can use.
Alliant is the only company in Georgia that sells PPO plans, which let you use any doctor you want and still have some coverage, even if they're outside the plan's network.
How much do health insurance plans cost in Georgia?
Health insurance in Georgia costs an average of $729 per month for an individual plan, but you could pay an estimated average of $111 per month if you qualify for discounts based on your income.
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- Your age is a big factor that influences your health insurance quotes.
- In Georgia, 40-year-olds pay 28% more than 21-year-olds for the same Silver policy.
- The largest rate increases come as you enter middle age. An average 60-year-old in Georgia will pay more than twice as much as a 40-year-old for a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum individual policy. That's because you're more likely to develop health issues and need more medical care as you get older.
Health insurance discount changes in Georgia for 2026
Georgia medical insurance costs $729, or could possibly be about $111 per month, on average, if you're eligible for discounts because of your income.
The cost of health insurance after discounts is possibly going to rise from about $41 per month in 2025 to $111 per month in 2026. That's because the size of the discounts you can get are going down for 2026.
Between 2021 and 2025, higher discounts, called "enhanced subsidies", were available when you bought marketplace coverage. These better discounts won't be available in 2026. Keep in mind, you can still get discounts, but they'll be smaller than in years past.
Health insurance rates in Georgia 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+ | $493 | $615 | 25% |
Average cost after subsidies for a single 40-year-old with a Benchmark Silver plan.
- Who can get subsidies? To be able to get subsidies, you need to make between $15,650 and $62,600 in a year as a single person ($32,150 and $128,600 for a family of four). The less you make, the higher your subsidy.
- How do subsidies work? You can use your subsidy for any Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum plan bought through Georgia Access. You can choose to have your subsidy applied directly to your monthly rate, or you can pay full price for coverage and get your subsidy as a lump sum when you file your taxes.
- How much do you save? Use ValuePenguin's subsidy calculator to find out how much you'll pay for health insurance after discounts.
Cheap Georgia health insurance plans by city
Alliant has the cheapest health insurance in Georgia with quotes for individual medical plans starting at $474 per month before discounts.
Health insurance plans and quotes change depending where you live. For example, Kaiser Permanente has the cheapest rates for more than half of Georgians, and Alliant has the most affordable quotes for about a quarter of those living in the Peach state. That's why the cheapest Silver health insurance plan for you may be different from the cheapest plan in the state.
- In Atlanta, Kaiser Permanente has the most affordable health insurance, at $621 per month.
- In Augusta, Alliant has the cheapest rates, at $648 per month.
- In Savannah, the cheapest individual Silver health insurance plan is from Ambetter, at $684 per month.
Cheapest medical insurance by GA county
County | Cheapest plan | Monthly rates |
|---|---|---|
| Appling | Oscar Silver Simple Saver | $662 |
| Atkinson | Oscar Silver Simple Saver | $488 |
| Bacon | Ambetter Clear Silver | $541 |
| Baker | Alliant SoloCare Standard Silver | $560 |
| Baldwin | Ambetter Clear Silver | $611 |
Cheapest Silver plan with rates for a 40-year-old
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Best health insurance plans by level of coverage
To find the best health insurance for you, think about your monthly budget and how much medical care you need.
Lower plan tiers, such as Bronze and Catastrophic, have cheap monthly rates but high costs when you visit the doctor or get a prescription filled. The higher plan tiers, Gold and Platinum, have the most expensive monthly rates but usually the most affordable costs when you go to pay for medical care.
Gold and Platinum plans don't offer extra benefits or more types of coverage than a Bronze or Silver plan.
Platinum plans: Best for people with ongoing medical issues
| Platinum plans pay for about 90% of your medical care. |
Platinum plans cost an average of $809 per month in Georgia.
Platinum plans have the highest quotes of all the plan tiers, but they also pay out the greatest percentage for medical care. If you have a chronic, complex or expensive health issue that requires many doctor visits and tests, a Platinum plan is a good idea. You'll pay more each month, but you'll likely save overall since the plan will pay a higher share of your bills.
Gold plans: Best for people with frequent medical needs
| Gold plans pay for about 80% of your medical care. |
Gold plans cost an average of $772 per month in Georgia.
Gold plans cost less than Platinum plans, but they still pay for a large portion of your medical bills. If you go to the doctor often, a Gold plan might be worth it. A Gold plan could also be a good idea if you're generally healthy but have an expensive treatment coming up, like a surgery.
Silver plans: Best for most people
| Silver plans pay for about 70% of your medical care. |
Silver plans cost an average of $729 per month in Georgia.
Silver plans strike a balance between affordable monthly quotes and modest out-of-pocket costs. They're a good choice for most people since you won't face a high deductible and out-of-pocket maximum if you become sick or get injured. But, the monthly costs shouldn't be too much of a burden for the average household.
Bronze plans: Best for healthy people with emergency savings
| Bronze plans pay for about 60% of your medical care. |
Bronze plans cost an average of $584 per month in Georgia.
Bronze plans have affordable rates but require you to pay for more of your medical bills. They can be a good idea if you're mostly healthy and on a budget. But you should make sure you have savings in the bank. That way, if you get seriously sick or hurt, you can afford to pay your share of the medical bills.
Catastrophic plans: Best as a last resort
Catastrophic plans cost an average of $539 per month in Georgia.
Catastrophic plans have the lowest monthly rates for health insurance of any plan tier, but they also have the least amount of coverage. If you get sick or injured, you will have to pay a very high deductible before your policy pays out. Catastrophic plans aren't the best idea for most people, unless they can't afford anything else.
You can only buy a Catastrophic plan if you're under the age of 30 or if you qualify for a special hardship exemption waiver. Hardship exemptions are usually only given to people who would struggle to afford a higher plan tier.
Carefully consider the full cost of a Catastrophic plan before you buy. The high out-of-pocket costs mean they're rarely a good choice, especially if you qualify for a marketplace subsidy, which Catastrophic plans aren't eligible for.
Cheap or free health insurance plans in Georgia if you have a low income
If you have a low income and can't afford health insurance or health care, there are a few options that can make things more affordable.
Medicaid in Georgia
Medicaid is a government-sponsored health insurance program for people with low incomes. Georgia has not expanded Medicaid for residents under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). That means in addition to having a low income, you need to fall into one of the following categories:
- You are pregnant
- Age 18 or younger
- Age 65 or older
- Blind
- Have a qualifying disability
- In need of nursing home care
- Have breast or cervical cancer
You may also qualify for Medicaid in Georgia if you have a foster or adopted child. Families leaving the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program may also qualify, along with low-income families that have children under the age of 19. You may also be eligible for Medicaid in Georgia even if you don't meet the income and asset requirements if you have high medical bills.
Medicaid eligibility in Georgia can be complex. The Georgia Medicaid website suggests that you apply even if you don't think you'll qualify based on the above criteria.
Use cost-sharing reductions for cheaper medical care
If you buy a Silver plan, you might be eligible for discounts that lower what you have to pay for medical care. These are called cost-sharing reductions. The less you make each year, the less you could pay for health care.
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 as a family of four.
Are health insurance rates going up in GA?
The average cost of health insurance went up by 26% in Georgia between 2025 and 2026.
Silver plans had the highest increase, costing 32% more for 2026 than in 2025. Gold plans got 27% more expensive, on average, and Platinum plans rose by an average of 19% year on year.. The cost of a Silver health plan rose by an average of 85% between 2022 and 2026.
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Platinum
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $306 | – |
| 2023 | $407 | 33% |
| 2024 | $434 | 7% |
| 2025 | $464 | 7% |
| 2026 | $584 | 26% |
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 | $306 | – |
| 2023 | $407 | 33% |
| 2024 | $434 | 7% |
| 2025 | $464 | 7% |
| 2026 | $584 | 26% |
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 | $394 | – |
| 2023 | $474 | 20% |
| 2024 | $509 | 7% |
| 2025 | $553 | 9% |
| 2026 | $729 | 32% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $411 | – |
| 2023 | $491 | 19% |
| 2024 | $548 | 12% |
| 2025 | $609 | 11% |
| 2026 | $772 | 27% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Platinum
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $506 | – |
| 2023 | $571 | 13% |
| 2024 | $661 | 16% |
| 2025 | $677 | 2% |
| 2026 | $809 | 19% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Are health insurance rates going up in GA in 2026?
Health insurance rates are going up in Georgia in 2026 because of rising healthcare costs, expiring government subsidies, more expensive prescription drugs and general inflation.
The rising cost of prescription drugs is one of the main factors pushing up the cost of health insurance. In particular, GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy are causing health insurance rates to increase because these drugs are both expensive and popular.
Expiring Covid-era extra subsidies are also contributing to higher rates. That's because healthy people are more likely to go without health insurance when costs rise. When healthier people leave the marketplace, insurance companies raise rates to account for the overall poorer health of their remaining customers.
How to pay less for medical insurance in 2026
- Compare quotes from several companies on Georgia Access to get the best quotes. Switching from the most expensive to the most affordable Silver health insurance plan in Georgia would save you $674 per month.
- Consider getting a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) and a health savings account (HSA) to get cheaper quotes and a lower tax bill.
- Free government health insurance, called Medicaid, is available to Georgia residents who earn a low income and meet another program requirement, such as being pregnant, a parent, age 65 or older or having a qualifying disability. Keep in mind, Georgia also requires you to work or volunteer for at least 80 hours per month to get Medicaid.
Essential health benefits every Georgia Access plan offers
In Georgia, if you don't have health insurance through your employer, you can buy Affordable Care Act plans, also called "Obamacare" plans, from the state's marketplace site, Georgia Access. No matter what plan tier you choose, you'll have coverage for at least 10 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
Lower-tier plans pay for less of your medical care, while higher-tier plans pay for more of it, but you're covered for the same medical situations. So for example, if you need blood work done, you'll pay more out-of-pocket for lab services if you have a Bronze plan than if you had a Gold plan.
Short-term health insurance plans in Georgia
In January 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that rolled back a rule that would limit the length of a short-term health policy to three months. That means short-term health insurance is available in Georgia for up to 364 days at a time. You can renew your plan for up to two more years.
In Georgia, if you're facing a gap in your regular health insurance coverage, you can buy a short-term health insurance policy. You can get these plans at any time during the year, but they typically offer less coverage than marketplace plans.
Pros of short-term health insurance plans in Georgia
Cons of short-term health insurance plans in Georgia
Health insurance enrollment by income level in Georgia
Lower health insurance discounts will most hurt people who make less money.
People who make less money are more likely to get their coverage from Access Georgia than other groups. For example, more than eight in 10 Georgians with marketplace coverage make under about $30,000 per year.
Enrollment by income
Income | % of total enrollment |
|---|---|
| Less than $15,060 | 10% |
| $15,060 to $20,783 | 46% |
| $20,784 to $22,590 | 13% |
| $22,591 to $30,120 | 14% |
| $30,121 to $37,650 | 5% |
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 Georgia?
No, $200 per month is considered affordable for health insurance in Georgia. That's less than a third the average cost of medical insurance in Georgia before discounts.
How much is health insurance in Georgia per month?
In Georgia, a Silver health insurance plan costs $729 per month on average for a 40-year-old. It's important to remember that your age, where you live and the plan tier and company you choose will all influence your
How much are rates going up in Georgia in 2026?
The cost of health insurance in Georgia is going up by 26%, on average, in 2026. Rates for some plan tiers are going up more than others. For example, Silver health insurance plans are getting 32% more expensive, on average, while the cost of a Platinum plan is only rising by an average of 19%.
How do I get health insurance in Georgia?
Shopping for coverage through the state health insurance marketplace, Georgia Access, is the best way to get affordable medical insurance in Georgia. Georgia Access makes it simple to compare quotes from several companies at once. Plus, you can easily see what discounts you'll be eligible for based on your income.
What health insurance is free in Georgia?
Health insurance is only free in Georgia if you qualify for Medicaid, a type of free and low-cost government health insurance. You may be eligible if you earn a low income and you're pregnant, disabled, a parent of a minor child, age 65 or older or in need of nursing home care. Georgia does not have expanded Medicaid, so you can't qualify for Medicaid solely because of your income.
What's the best health insurance in Georgia?
Kaiser Permanente scores highest for customer satisfaction and plan quality in Georgia according to ValuePenguin editors and HealthCare.gov. Plus, Kaiser Permanente has the cheapest quotes for more than half of all people in Georgia, including the Atlanta metro area.
Methodology
Georgia health insurance rate data for 2026 is from Georgia Access. ValuePenguin used the state marketplace data 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 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 Georgia 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).
Senior Writer
Talon Abernathy is a ValuePenguin Senior Writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. He's also contributed to other insurance verticals including home, renters, auto, motorcycle and flood insurance.
Talon came to ValuePenguin in 2023. Since his arrival, he's helped to expand the site's health insurance-related content offerings. He enjoys helping readers understand the ins and outs of America's all too complicated health insurance landscape.
Before coming to ValuePenguin, Talon worked as a freelance writer. His prior work has touched on a broad range of personal finance-related topics including credit-building strategies, small business incorporation tactics and creative ways to save for retirement.
Insurance tip
In many parts of the country, you can qualify for a free Silver health insurance plan if you meet certain income requirements. Government subsidies in the form of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions may mean you'll pay nothing for coverage.
Expertise
- Health insurance
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Flood insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
- Auto and motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- The Miami Herald
- Money.com
- MSN
- Nasdaq
- The Sacramento Bee
- Yahoo! Finance
Education
- BA, University of Washington
- Certificate in Copyediting, UC San Diego
Credentials
- Licensed Life & Disability Insurance Agent
- Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
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.
