The best health insurance plans are the ones that cover your doctors and prescriptions at a total yearly cost you can afford. No single plan or carrier is best for everyone. So compare plans three ways: by metal tier, by plan type and by your situation. Here's how a licensed agent does it.
- Bronze plans pay about 60% of average covered costs, while silver pays 70%, gold 80% and platinum 90%.
- Extra savings on deductibles and copays come only with Silver plans, for people with lower incomes.
- For 2027 coverage, every Marketplace plan caps in-network out-of-pocket costs at $12,000 for one person.
- Premium tax credits stop above 400% of the poverty line for 2027 coverage, or $63,840 for one person.
- Cigna is leaving the individual and family market for 2027, so its members there need a new plan.
Best health insurance plans: how to find the right fit
People ask us every day which plan is the best. However, the honest answer is that it depends on you. For example, a healthy 28-year-old and a family with a child in therapy need very different coverage. Still, the best health insurance plan for anyone checks the same four boxes:
- Your doctors and nearest hospital are in its network
- Also, your prescriptions are on its drug list
- Its total yearly cost fits your budget, not just the premium
- It earns solid quality ratings from members
Common shopping mistakes
- Choosing on monthly price alone
- Skipping the doctor check before you enroll
- Letting a plan auto-renew without checking your subsidy
- Missing the deductible and copay details, especially on bronze plans
Our guide to lining up six numbers for every plan shows how to avoid each of these. Then use the sections below to narrow your list.
Best health insurance plans by metal tier
Marketplace plans come in four metal levels. Basically, the level tells you how you and the plan split costs, not the quality of care. In general, a lower tier means a lower premium but more cost when you get care.
These bars show the share of average covered costs the plan pays. So with a bronze plan, you pay about 40% of costs, while platinum leaves you about 10%.
When each metal tier shines
Try bronze, since it keeps premiums low and still caps a bad year.
Pick silver, because only silver unlocks extra savings on deductibles and copays.
Choose gold, so you pay less per visit and refill.
Look at platinum where it's offered, since it covers the most.
Why gold can beat silver
Gold premiums sometimes land closer to silver than you'd expect, depending on your area. Meanwhile, gold usually comes with a lower deductible. However, tax credits tie to the second-lowest-cost silver plan. So price both before you assume silver is the deal. For the full math, see how each metal level splits costs and how premium tax credits are calculated.
Best health insurance plan by network type
Next, look at the network rules, because the plan type decides which doctors you can see and whether you need referrals.
| Plan type | Who it suits | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| HMO | People who use local doctors, so costs stay low | Referrals, and no routine outside care |
| PPO | Travelers, plus frequent specialist users | Higher premiums than an HMO |
| EPO | Savers who also hate referrals | Still no routine outside care |
| POS | One main doctor, plus a backup | Referrals, plus higher outside costs |
Keep in mind that PPOs are rare if you buy your own plan. RWJF found that only 14% of 2025 Marketplace plans were PPOs. So most shoppers pick an HMO or EPO, which makes the doctor check vital. Read all seven plan designs compared in one chart, or jump to how HMO and PPO networks differ.
A licensed Vivna agent can compare tiers, networks and total yearly costs across carriers in your ZIP code, at no cost to you.
The best health plan for your situation
Your life stage changes what "best" means. So treat this table as a starting point. Even so, a subsidy can make a richer plan cost less than a basic one, so always check your credit first.
| Your situation | Often a good fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Single and healthy | Bronze HMO or EPO | Low premium, plus a cap on big bills |
| Family with young kids | Silver or gold | Costs stay predictable when kids get sick |
| Self-employed or 1099 | Marketplace plan after a subsidy check | Because credits follow your income |
| Ongoing condition or prescriptions | Gold or platinum | So each visit and refill costs less |
| Between jobs | Any tier during a special enrollment window | Since losing coverage opens a window |
| Over the subsidy limit | Any tier, priced at full cost | Then total yearly cost decides it |
Finding the best health plan for families
For families, look for low copays for kids' visits and covered children's prescriptions. Also, check whether your children qualify for CHIP, your state's health program for kids. Then compare what families really pay each year.
Self-employed, gig work or between jobs
If you work for yourself, estimate your net income carefully, since your credit depends on it. Also, an HSA-eligible bronze plan can lower your taxes. See our guide to coverage when you work for yourself. If you just lost a job, read how to stay covered between jobs.
Earn too much for a subsidy?
Above the 400% line, you pay full price for any Marketplace plan. So some healthy people in approved states also look at short-term coverage.
Short-term plans are not ACA-compliant. They can exclude pre-existing conditions, and they don't qualify for premium tax credits. Also, they're sold only in approved states.
Where they're sold, you can compare short-term coverage in approved states against a full-price bronze plan.
Comparing carriers behind the best health insurance plan
First, each carrier builds its own network and drug list. As a result, the best health insurance plan can change from one county to the next. That's why we never name one carrier as best for everyone.
What to compare between carriers
- Network size near your home and work
- Drug list coverage for your prescriptions
- Star ratings from 1 to 5 on the Marketplace
- Customer service and claims support
Cigna is leaving the individual and family medical market for 2027 in all 11 states where it sold those plans. So if you have a Cigna individual plan, you'll need to pick a new one during Open Enrollment.
To see how carriers differ, compare the plans Ambetter sells by state and the plans Oscar offers by state. Then shop ACA and private plans in your ZIP code.
How to compare plans step by step
Here's the process our agents follow on every call. Also, it works whether you shop alone or with us.
- Check your subsidy
First, estimate your income for the coverage year. That tells you your credit and whether silver extra savings apply.
- List your doctors and drugs
Next, search each one in the plan's network and drug list. Our network search links for every carrier help.
- Price a full year
Then add 12 months of premiums to the care you'll likely use. Test a light year and a heavy year.
- Read the star ratings
Finally, compare quality ratings, then pick the plan with the best total value for you.
Don't let your plan auto-renew without a fresh look. Networks, drug lists and prices change every year. So we re-shop every client before Open Enrollment closes, and we often find a plan that fits better.
The right plan covers your doctors first and fits your budget second.The rule our licensed agents repeat most
Ready for help? Then call a licensed Vivna agent at 888-730-6001.
Best health insurance plans: FAQs
What are the best health insurance plans?
The best health insurance plans cover your doctors and prescriptions at a total yearly cost you can afford. No single plan or carrier fits everyone. So compare plans by metal tier, plan type and network for your ZIP code. A licensed agent can line them up side by side for you.
Is gold or silver insurance better?
It depends on your income and how much care you use. Gold covers more of each bill, so it often suits people who use care every month. However, silver is the only tier with extra savings on deductibles and copays for lower incomes. So price both, because gold sometimes costs less than you'd expect.
Is a PPO better than an HMO?
Not always. A PPO gives you more freedom, including some out-of-network coverage and no referrals. On the other hand, an HMO usually costs less each month. If all your doctors sit in an HMO network and you stay close to home, the HMO may be the better value.
What is the cheapest good health insurance?
For many people, a subsidized bronze or silver plan offers the best value. If you qualify for a subsidy, some plans may even cost $0 a month. Without a subsidy, compare bronze plans first. Also, healthy people in approved states sometimes look at short-term plans, with the limits explained above.
How do I check a plan's quality?
Marketplace plans carry an overall star rating from 1 to 5. That rating draws on three areas: member experience, medical care and plan administration. However, new plans or plans with low enrollment may not have a rating yet. That alone doesn't mean they're low quality.
Does an agent cost more than buying direct?
No. Carriers pay licensed agents, so the plan price stays the same whether you buy through us or directly. At Vivna, our agents compare plans from 50+ carriers. Plus, we can help with renewals, billing questions and claims after you enroll.
Vivna's licensed agents compare plans from 50+ carriers. Call Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm.
Sources
- HealthCare.gov: Health plan categories
- IRS: Revenue Procedure 2026-26 (2027 applicable percentages)
- HealthCare.gov: Out-of-pocket maximum/limit
- RWJF: Preferred provider organizations remain rare in the individual market
- HealthCare.gov: Health plan quality ratings
- KFF: Tracking insurer participation changes in the ACA Marketplaces in 2027
Vivna Insurance is a licensed, independent health insurance agency (NPN 19168641). We are not affiliated with HealthCare.gov or any government agency. Plan availability, networks and benefits vary by state and change over time. Short-term plans are available only in approved states and are not ACA-compliant coverage.