Health Insurance Plans in Boulder County, Colorado (2026)
88 ACA marketplace (Obamacare) plans are available in Boulder County, CO, from 5 insurers. The cheapest plan starts at $349.53/month before subsidies (Catastrophic plans, for under-30s, from $318.83).
That ranks 4th lowest of the 23 county areas we track in Colorado, 10% below the statewide median of $388.63.
Last updated: October 5, 2026 · Source: Official Marketplace Data · How we calculate this
Covers Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville, Erie, Superior and nearby communities.
88
Plans Available
$349.53
Cheapest Plan/mo
5
Insurers
Connect for Health Colorado
Exchange
Insurers With the Cheapest Plans in Boulder
Plans Available in Boulder
Sorted by monthly premium · 30-year-old · Before subsidies
HMO Colorado, Inc., dba HMO Nevada Anthem Catastrophic Pathway Essentials X 10600
HMO Colorado, Inc., dba HMO Nevada
$318.83/mo
Ded: $10,600
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colo. KP Select CO Catastrophic
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colo.
$344.93/mo
Ded: $10,600
HMO Colorado, Inc., dba HMO Nevada Anthem Bronze Pathway Essentials X 10300 $0 Select Drugs
HMO Colorado, Inc., dba HMO Nevada
$349.53/mo
Ded: $10,300
SelectHealth Select Health Value Bronze $8500 Medical Deductible
SelectHealth
$356.70/mo
Ded: $8,500
HMO Colorado, Inc., dba HMO Nevada Anthem Bronze Pathway Essentials X 6000 $0 Select Drugs
HMO Colorado, Inc., dba HMO Nevada
$357.20/mo
Ded: $6,000
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colo. KP Select CO Bronze 8500/50
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colo.
$359.77/mo
Ded: $8,500
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colo. KP Colorado Option Bronze
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colo.
$364.23/mo
Ded: $7,500
HMO Colorado, Inc., dba HMO Nevada Anthem Bronze Pathway Essentials X 5650 Rx Copay $0 Select Drugs
HMO Colorado, Inc., dba HMO Nevada
$364.46/mo
Ded: $5,650
Average Premiums in Boulder
Avg Bronze Plan
$405/mo
31 plans
Avg Silver Plan
$517/mo
Eligible for CSR cost reductions
Deductibles & Out-of-Pocket Limits in Boulder
The premium is what you pay monthly; the deductible is what you pay before the plan starts sharing costs, and the out-of-pocket maximum is the most you can pay in a year. A cheaper premium usually means a higher deductible.
| Metal tier | Plans | Typical deductible | Deductible range | Typical out-of-pocket max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 31 | $7,500 | $0–$10,600 | $10,150 |
| Silver | 34 | $4,000 | $1,500–$6,500 | $9,900 |
| Gold | 19 | $2,000 | $0–$3,400 | $8,700 |
| Catastrophic | 4 | $10,600 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
Typical is the middle plan in each tier, not an average, since one $0-deductible variant would otherwise drag the figure below anything on offer. Silver plans can carry much lower deductibles than shown if you qualify for cost-sharing reductions. Check what you qualify for.
$0 and low-cost health insurance in Boulder County
At $23,940 a year (150% of the poverty level), a 40-year-old in Boulder County can get at least 6 Bronze plans for $0 a month after the premium tax credit.
| Age | Income $23,940 (150% of poverty level) | Income $31,920 (200% of poverty level) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | $0 (4+ plans) | $81 or less |
| 40 | $0 (6+ plans) | $69 or less |
| 60 | $0 (6+ plans) | $0 (6+ plans) |
Medicaid: Colorado expanded Medicaid, so adults earning up to 138% of the poverty level ($22,025 a year for one person, $45,540 for a family of four) usually qualify, and can apply any time of year.
Colorado adds its own help: Colorado Premium Assistance. Who qualifies
2026 premiums in Boulder County, scaled by age with the CMS age curve; the credit uses the 2026 IRS percentages. "Or less" and "+" are because the credit is based on the second-cheapest Silver plan and only the cheapest plans are counted, both of which can only make the real figure better. Federal credit only, non-smokers. Income limits · Calculate your own credit
Nearby Counties in Colorado
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Health Insurance in Colorado
Compare Colorado's lowest-premium plans. See how Boulder's $349.53/mo starting premium compares to the statewide picture.
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Enter your ZIP, age, and income for Boulder to see subsidy-adjusted prices.
Compare plansFrequently asked questions about ACA insurance in Colorado
What is the health insurance marketplace in Colorado?
The Colorado (CO) health insurance marketplace is Connect for Health Colorado (https://connectforhealthco.com/), a state-based ACA exchange where residents compare and enroll in qualified health plans. Policymage lists 88 plans with live premium data. Open Enrollment runs November 1 through January 15.
How do I compare health insurance plans in Colorado?
Use policymage.com/get-quotes: enter your ZIP code, household ages, and income. Policymage fetches ACA Marketplace plans for your county, calculates APTC subsidies, and lets you compare up to 4 plans side-by-side on premium, deductible, network, and benefits. Free, no account, no broker bias. Plans in Colorado start from $349.53/month before subsidies.
Which Medicaid plan is best in Colorado?
There is no single "best" Medicaid plan in Colorado. Medicaid is administered through MCOs such as Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente, Cigna Healthcare. The right plan depends on your county, doctors, and prescriptions. Medicaid (income up to 138% FPL, ~$22,025/year for an individual) is separate from ACA Marketplace plans at Connect for Health Colorado. Apply year-round through your state Medicaid office.
Is short-term health insurance available in Colorado?
Short-term health insurance is sold outside the ACA Marketplace in Colorado by private insurers. These plans are not ACA-compliant: they can exclude pre-existing conditions, skip Essential Health Benefits, and lack guaranteed renewal. For comprehensive coverage with subsidies, enroll in an ACA Marketplace plan at Connect for Health Colorado during Open Enrollment (November 1 to January 15). See policymage.com/faq for more on short-term vs ACA plans.
How much is health insurance in CO?
Health insurance in CO starts as low as $349.53/month for a 30-year-old on a Bronze plan before subsidies. Most Colorado residents who qualify for APTC pay significantly less, some as low as $0/month for a Bronze plan.
What is the cheapest health insurance option in CO for 2027?
The cheapest ACA option in CO for 2027 is typically a Bronze-tier plan or, for residents under 30, a catastrophic plan. Both carry the lowest monthly premium in exchange for a higher deductible. Compare exact Colorado plans and prices at policymage.com/get-quotes.
How do I get health insurance in Colorado?
To get health insurance in Colorado, enroll in an ACA Marketplace plan through Connect for Health Colorado during Open Enrollment, which runs November 1 through January 15. Plans start at $349.53/month before subsidies. You need your ZIP code, household size, and estimated annual income to apply. Outside Open Enrollment you need a Qualifying Life Event (job loss, marriage, birth, or a move) to enrol through a Special Enrollment Period.
What is the best health insurance in Colorado?
There is no single best health insurance plan in Colorado; total annual cost depends on your doctors, prescriptions, and how much care you use. Policymage does not recommend plans. It lets you compare 88 Colorado plans on premium, deductible, network, and quality rating. Total annual cost is the premium × 12 plus your expected deductible and copays. Cost-Sharing Reductions lower deductibles and copays for incomes between 100% and 250% FPL, and apply only to Silver plans.
How much is health insurance in Colorado per month?
Health insurance in Colorado starts at $349.53 per month for a Bronze plan for a 30-year-old, before subsidies. Most residents who qualify for APTC tax credits pay considerably less, and some pay $0/month for a Bronze plan. Your exact monthly cost depends on age, county, household size, and tobacco use.
How do I get free health insurance in Colorado?
Free or near-free coverage in Colorado comes from two routes. Medicaid covers adults earning up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (roughly $22,025/year for an individual), and you can apply year-round. Above that, APTC subsidies bring many Bronze Marketplace plans to $0/month for Colorado residents on lower incomes.
When does Open Enrollment end in Colorado for ACA plans?
Open Enrollment for Colorado residents runs from November 1 through January 15. Colorado runs its own exchange (Connect for Health Colorado), which set the January 15 deadline. Outside Open Enrollment, you need a Qualifying Life Event to enroll in a Special Enrollment Period.
How much does health insurance cost in Colorado?
Health insurance in Colorado starts as low as $349.53/month for a 30-year-old on a Bronze plan before subsidies. With APTC tax credits, many Colorado residents pay $0–$50/month for Bronze coverage. Costs vary by age, county, tobacco use, and household size.
Does Colorado use HealthCare.gov or its own state exchange?
Colorado runs its own state-based Marketplace called Connect for Health Colorado (https://connectforhealthco.com/). You enroll there directly, not at HealthCare.gov. Plan offerings, enrollment dates, and customer support are managed by Colorado, not the federal government.
Has Colorado expanded Medicaid under the ACA?
Yes. Colorado has expanded Medicaid, so adults with household income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (approximately $22,025/year for an individual) qualify for free or very low-cost Medicaid. There's no Open Enrollment window; you can apply year-round.
What are the income limits for ACA subsidies in Colorado?
Premium tax credits cover household income from 100% to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level: about $15,960 to $63,840 a year for an individual, or $33,000 to $132,000 for a family of 4. Below 138% FPL most adults qualify for Medicaid instead. Above 400% FPL there is no credit in 2027: the enhanced rules that removed that limit expired after 2025. Use the Connect for Health Colorado subsidy calculator for your exact estimate.
Does Colorado have its own health insurance subsidy?
Yes. Colorado Premium Assistance: A state payment that lowers monthly premiums for Connect for Health Colorado customers who get financial help. A 2026 state law keeps it at current levels through plan year 2027. This is in addition to the federal premium tax credit.
What are the metal tiers in Colorado (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum)?
Colorado ACA plans come in four metal tiers based on actuarial value (the percentage of medical costs the plan covers on average): Bronze (~60%), Silver (~70%), Gold (~80%), and Platinum (~90%). Bronze has the lowest premium and highest deductible; Platinum has the highest premium and lowest deductible. Silver is the "benchmark" tier used to calculate APTC subsidies, and it's the only tier eligible for Cost-Sharing Reductions if you qualify by income.
Are HSA-eligible plans available in Colorado?
Yes. HSA-eligible High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) are available in Colorado through Connect for Health Colorado. For 2026, HDHPs must have a deductible of at least $1,700 (individual) or $3,400 (family), and you can contribute up to $4,400 (individual) or $8,750 (family) to your HSA pre-tax. HSA contributions roll over year-to-year and can be invested.
Do Colorado ACA plans cover dental and vision?
Colorado ACA Marketplace plans for adults include preventive care, mental health, prescriptions, hospitalization, and the 10 Essential Health Benefits, but adult dental and vision are not federally required. Most Colorado plans cover pediatric dental and vision automatically. For adult dental/vision, you typically buy a separate standalone plan through Connect for Health Colorado or directly from an insurer.
What is a Qualifying Life Event for Special Enrollment in Colorado?
Outside Open Enrollment, Colorado residents can enroll in or change ACA plans within 60 days of a Qualifying Life Event: loss of other health coverage, marriage or divorce, birth or adoption of a child, moving to a new county or state, a change in income that affects subsidy eligibility, becoming a US citizen, or release from incarceration. Have documentation ready when applying through Connect for Health Colorado.
How do I find in-network doctors and hospitals in Colorado?
Each Colorado ACA plan has its own provider network. Before enrolling, look up the plan on Connect for Health Colorado, click the carrier name to access their provider directory, and search for your specific doctors and preferred hospitals by name. Out-of-network care typically isn't covered (HMO plans) or costs significantly more (PPO plans). Out-of-network costs can exceed the premium difference between plans.
Compare Plans in Boulder
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