Best and cheapest health insurance in Maine
Cheapest health insurance companies in Maine
Anthem, Community Health Options and Taro have the cheapest health insurance plans in Maine, with Silver plans starting at $521 per month before discounts.
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Affordable health insurance in Maine
Company |
Cost
| |
|---|---|---|
| Anthem | $521-$679 |
| Community Health Options | $540-$686 |
| Taro | $547-$548 |
| Harvard Pilgrim | $565-$775 |
- No matter where you live in Maine, Anthem sells the cheapest Silver plans, with rates as low as $521 per month. Anthem is also the best health insurance company in Maine.
- Harvard Pilgrim might be cheaper overall if you need expensive medical care. Even though its Silver plans are expensive, it has the cheapest Platinum plans in Maine. These plans cost more each month but pay for more of your medical bills.
Lowest deductibles: Taro
If you want your health insurance to start paying for care faster, Taro is a good option.
That's because Taro plans have the lowest average deductibles in Maine. With a Taro Silver plan, you could pay an average of $3,050 each year before your plan starts to pay its share of your medical bills. The average deductible for Silver plans in Maine is $3,970.
But like all health plans, Taro will start paying for some costs before you reach your deductible. These costs include services like vaccines, blood pressure screenings and birth control.
Best health insurance companies in Maine
Anthem is the best health insurance company in Maine.
Anthem offers a combination of cheap rates and excellent customer service. While it has a lower overall score from HealthCare.gov than some other companies in the state, Anthem has a perfect 5-star score for member experience. Anthem also has only one-fourth the number of complaints expected for an average company of its size. That means most people are happy with the service they get from their Anthem plans.
Anthem also sells more than half of all health plans in Maine, making it the most popular company in the state. That's likely because most doctors and hospitals take Anthem coverage, which makes it easy to use. Combine the large network with the low rates and good service, and Anthem is the clear choice for the best health insurance company in Maine.
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Best-rated health insurance companies in Maine
Company |
Editor rating
|
ACA rating
|
|---|---|---|
| Anthem | 3.0 | |
| Taro | N/A | |
| Community Health Options | 4.0 | |
| Harvard Pilgrim | 4.0 |
Best health insurance for expensive medical treatments: Harvard Pilgrim
If you have a chronic or complex medical condition, Harvard Pilgrim is a good choice.
Harvard Pilgrim is the only company that sells Platinum health insurance plans in Maine. Rates start at $817 per month.
Platinum plans are more expensive than other plan tiers because they pay for the highest share of your medical bills. If you need expensive medical treatments, a Platinum plan could help you save money. You'll pay more each month, but because the plan pays for about 90% of your health care bills, you can save money overall.
How much does health insurance cost in Maine?
The average cost of health insurance in Maine is $623 per month, but the average rate if you get discounts is $163 per month.
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- Your age, location in the state and plan level all influence your health insurance costs. Your rate also depends on the company you choose, the number of people you want your plan to cover, and whether you smoke or use tobacco.
- Silver plans are a good option for most people because they give you good coverage at a good price. If you aren't sure what level of health insurance you need, start by looking at Silver plans, which are a popular option in Maine.
- Bronze plans are also popular, but they're only best if you're young, healthy and have emergency savings. That's because they make you pay more when you go to the doctor. Your medical bills with a Bronze plan can be high if something serious happens, like a hospital stay or surgery.
Get affordable health insurance in Maine with subsidies
You could pay an average of $163 per month for Maine health insurance if you get discounts based on your income.
More than 8 in 10 people who shop on CoverME, Maine's state health insurance marketplace, can get discounts that make their monthly rate cheaper. These are called subsidies or tax credits.
- How to qualify: You have to make between $15,606 and $60,240 per year if you're single, or between $31,200 and $124,800 per year if you're a family of four, to get subsidies. But if you can get Medicaid, you can't get subsidies.
- What subsidies do: You can use a subsidy to lower the cost of any Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum plan from any company on CoverME. If you buy a plan directly from a company, you won't get subsidies. And you can't use subsidies on a Catastrophic plan no matter where you buy it.
- See how much you'll save: A subsidy calculator can help you see how much you could save on health insurance. The lower your income, the higher your discount will be. About 1 in 10 people in Maine who buy a plan on CoverME pay $10 or less each month because of subsidies.
If you can get subsidies, you might also get another type of discount that lets you pay less when you go to the doctor. These discounts are called cost-sharing reductions, and they're only available on Silver plans.
Cheap Maine health insurance plans by city
Anthem sells the cheapest health insurance in Portland, Maine.
Anthem has the cheapest Silver plans in Maine, no matter where you live. That includes larger cities like Portland, Lewiston and Bangor. But it's still a good idea to review all your options. Just because a plan is cheap doesn't mean it's the best option for you.
Cheapest health insurance plans by ME county
County | Cheapest Silver plan | Monthly rates |
|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin | Anthem Clear Choice Silver X Tiered 4200 | $569 |
| Aroostook | Anthem Clear Choice Silver X Tiered 4200 | $592 |
| Cumberland | Anthem Clear Choice Silver X Tiered 4200 | $521 |
| Franklin | Anthem Clear Choice Silver X Tiered 4200 | $569 |
| Hancock | Anthem Clear Choice Silver X Tiered 4200 | $592 |
Cheapest Silver plan with rates for a 40-year-old
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Best health insurance by level of coverage
The best health insurance plan depends on your budget and medical needs.
Most people in Maine choose a Silver or Bronze plan. But if you need more medical care, a Gold or Platinum plan is a good option. You might also be able to get a Catastrophic plan, but they're only a good option as a last resort.
Platinum plans: Best for expensive medical care
| Platinum plans pay for about 90% of your medical care. |
Platinum plans cost $891 per month, on average, in Maine.
Platinum health plans have the most expensive monthly rates, but they also pay for about 90% of your medical bills. So if you have high expected medical expenses, such as costly ongoing prescriptions or expensive treatments, a Platinum plan might be the best choice. Harvard Pilgrim is the only company that sells Platinum plans in Maine for 2025.
Gold plans: Best for frequent medical care
| Gold plans pay for about 80% of your medical care. |
In Maine, Gold plans cost an average of $705 per month.
Gold plans have slightly less coverage than Platinum plans but are also cheaper. A Gold plan usually covers about 80% of your medical bills. If you go to the doctor often or expect to need more medical care than usual in 2025, a Gold plan can be a good option.
Silver plans: Best for most people
| Silver plans pay for about 70% of your medical care. |
Silver plans cost an average of $623 per month in Maine.
Silver plans are the best option for most people because they balance middle-of-the-road rates with good coverage. Silver plans still pay for about 70% of your medical bills, but they're much cheaper than Gold or Platinum plans.
If you have a low income, you might get rate subsidies that make Silver plans even cheaper, plus another discount that makes your medical bills cheaper.
Bronze plans: Best for healthy people with emergency savings
| Bronze plans pay for about 60% of your medical care. |
In Maine, Bronze plans cost $516 per month, on average.
Bronze plans have the cheapest monthly health insurance rates, but they only pay for about 60% of your medical bills. If you're young and healthy, a Bronze plan can be a good way to save money. Just make sure you have money in the bank to pay your share of your health care bills.
Catastrophic plans: Best as a last resort
Catastrophic plans cost $259 per month, on average, for a 21-year-old in Maine.
You can't get a Catastrophic plan unless you're under 30 years old or you qualify for a certain exemption, like having recently been homeless or having experienced a natural disaster. Catastrophic plans also are not eligible for premium tax credits.
Catastrophic plans have the cheapest monthly rates but the lowest level of coverage. With a Catastrophic plan, you could pay the first $9,200 of your medical bills each year before your plan starts to pay.
If you can't afford health insurance, you might be able to get Medicaid, which is usually a better option. And if you can't get Medicaid, a Bronze or Silver plan with discounts is better than a Catastrophic plan.
Cheap or free health insurance in Maine if you have a low income
Maine has a few options for people who can't afford health insurance. If you have a low income, you might qualify for Medicaid. If you can't get Medicaid, a Silver plan is a good option because it has extra discounts that you can't get with other plan tiers.
MaineCare: Medicaid in Maine
Medicaid is a type of free health insurance from the government. In Maine, Medicaid is called "MaineCare," and you only have to have a low income to get coverage. If you make less than around $21,000 per year as a single person or $44,000 per year as a family of four, you are probably eligible for Medicaid.
Use cost-sharing reductions for cheaper medical care
If your income is too high for Medicaid, buying a Silver plan might be the best option. That's because Silver is the only plan tier that has discounts that let you pay less when you go to the doctor, called cost-sharing reductions (CSRs). To qualify, you have to make between $15,060 and $37,650 per year if you're single or between $31,200 and $78,000 per year as part of a family of four.
Plus, you can also get subsidies that lower your monthly rate. Combine that with cost-sharing reductions, and you could get a Silver plan that has cheap rates and better coverage than even a Platinum plan.
Are health insurance rates going up in ME?
In 2025, Maine health insurance costs 7% more, on average, compared to 2024.
Platinum plans went up the most, costing 9% more in 2025. Silver plans cost 7% more each month. Bronze and Gold plans each went up by about 6%. Unfortunately, rates are likely going to be even higher in 2026.
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Platinum
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $369 | - |
| 2023 | $415 | 12% |
| 2024 | $485 | 17% |
| 2025 | $516 | 6% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Bronze
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $369 | - |
| 2023 | $415 | 12% |
| 2024 | $485 | 17% |
| 2025 | $516 | 6% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Silver
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $465 | - |
| 2023 | $506 | 9% |
| 2024 | $582 | 15% |
| 2025 | $623 | 7% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $519 | - |
| 2023 | $573 | 10% |
| 2024 | $666 | 16% |
| 2025 | $705 | 6% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Platinum
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $633 | - |
| 2023 | $688 | 9% |
| 2024 | $818 | 19% |
| 2025 | $891 | 9% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Why is health insurance expensive in ME for 2026?
As health care costs rise, health insurance rates go up, too.
Because medical care is getting more expensive, medical insurance companies have to pay more for your doctor visits and medications. To balance out the extra costs, rates go up for everyone. In Maine, medical insurance companies are asking to be able to raise rates by 27%, on average.
The cost of weight-loss drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, is also contributing to rising medical insurance costs. These medications are both expensive and becoming popular, which means they cost health insurance companies a lot of money. Because of that, rates go up across the board.
You might also pay more in 2026 because of a change to how discounts work. For the last five years, discounts have been larger. These were called "enhanced subsidies." Unless Congress renews them, though, these bigger discounts are going to expire at the end of 2025. There would still be discounts on CoverME, the Maine health insurance marketplace, in 2026, but they won't be as big.
How to prepare for the 2026 rate increases
- Give yourself time to get quotes. If you're worried about rate increases, start shopping for health insurance early. Look at all the options on CoverME and see if you can find a company or plan.
- Think about dropping to a lower-tier plan. If you need to save money on your monthly rate, going to a lower-tier plan, such as Bronze, can help you cut costs. However, the trade-off for having a lower monthly rate is that you'll pay more when you go to the doctor, so make sure you have savings.
- Open an HSA. If you go with a Bronze plan in 2026, you can open a health savings account (HSA). These accounts let you save pretax money to pay for medical costs. Having an HSA with a Bronze plan is a new perk in 2026 because Bronze plans have been recategorized as high-deductible health plans.
- See if you get discounts. If you have a low income, use a subsidy calculator and check to see if you can get discounts. Even if the discounts aren't as big in 2026, they'll still save you money.
- Check if you can get MaineCare. You can get Medicaid in Maine, called MaineCare, if you make less than about $21,000 per year as an individual or about $44,000 as a family of four. With MaineCare, most of your medical bills will be very low or even free.
In Maine, you can get Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, also called "Obamacare" plans, on CoverME, the state's health insurance marketplace. You can usually buy a plan between Nov. 1 and Jan. 15 each year, during open enrollment. But you might be able to get a plan anytime if you move, have a baby or experience another qualifying life change.
When you buy a plan on CoverME, your health won't be used to set your rate. There are only five factors that a company can use to determine how much to charge you.
- Your age
- The plan tier you buy
- Where you live
- How many people you want on your plan
- Whether or not you smoke or use tobacco
Even if you have existing health issues, you can still buy a plan and you won't have to pay more.
COBRA insurance in Maine
COBRA insurance costs $781 per month, on average, in Maine.
A Silver plan from CoverME costs $623 per month, on average. If you're between jobs and need coverage, it's usually cheaper to buy a plan on CoverME than to get COBRA. You can cancel a CoverME plan any time without a fee, so you won't be charged if you get health insurance through a new job.
COBRA insurance lets you extend the health insurance plan you had with a job when you're no longer there. But your employer won't help pay the monthly rate anymore. You have to pay the full cost, which is why COBRA tends to be expensive.
Short-term health insurance in Maine
You cannot buy short-term health insurance in Maine. Although it's legal to sell short-term health insurance policies in Maine, no health insurance companies currently offer plans.
Frequently asked questions
How much is health insurance in Maine per month?
The average cost of a Silver health insurance plan in Maine is $623 per month for a 40-year-old. Both your age and the type of health insurance plan you buy will influence the price you pay.
Is there free health insurance in Maine?
Medicaid, also called MaineCare in this state, is a form of free government health insurance for people with low incomes. You can qualify for MaineCare if you make less than about $21,000 for an individual or roughly $44,000 for a family of four.
What is the best medical insurance in Maine?
Anthem sells the best health insurance in Maine. The company has the cheapest rates in the state, with Silver plans starting at $521 per month. Anthem also has excellent customer service, and most doctors and hospitals take its plans.
Can I get health insurance for $100 a month in Maine?
If you have a low income, you might be able to get discounts called "subsidies" that lower your rate enough to get a plan for $100 or less per month. At full price, health insurance in Maine usually costs an average of $487 per month for a 21-year-old or $623 per month for a 40-year-old with a Silver plan.
Methodology
Maine's 2025 health insurance plans, costs and ratings were taken from the CoverME state health insurance exchange. ValuePenguin used the data to determine the cost of health insurance in Maine by age, plan tier, county and more. Rates are for a 40-year-old with a Silver plan unless another age is noted.
Rates for subsidized plans come from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data for everyone who shopped during 2024 open enrollment and who qualified for advance premium tax credits (APTCs) on their monthly bills.
Info on rate increase requests made by Maine health insurance companies is from the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker.
Info about the most popular plan level and COBRA in Maine came from KFF. Other sources of info 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
- 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.
