Health Insurance Plans in Erie County, Pennsylvania (2026)
66 ACA marketplace (Obamacare) plans are available in Erie County, PA, from 3 insurers. The cheapest plan starts at $273.51/month before subsidies (Catastrophic plans, for under-30s, from $226.50).
That ranks 2nd lowest of the 40 county areas we track in Pennsylvania, 22% below the statewide median of $348.78.
Last updated: October 5, 2026 · Source: Official Marketplace Data · How we calculate this
Covers Erie, Corry, Edinboro, North East, Wesleyville, Girard and nearby communities.
66
Plans Available
$273.51
Cheapest Plan/mo
3
Insurers
Pennie
Exchange
Insurers With the Cheapest Plans in Erie
Plans Available in Erie
Sorted by monthly premium · 30-year-old · Before subsidies
Highmark Coverage Advantage Inc. Together Blue Major Events EPO Catastrophic 10600 - 3 Free PCP Visits
Highmark Coverage Advantage Inc.
$226.50/mo
Ded: $10,600
UPMC Advantage Catastrophic $10,600/$0 - Partner Network
UPMC Health Options, Inc.
$261.02/mo
Ded: $10,600
Highmark Inc. my Direct Blue Major Events EPO Catastrophic 10600 - 3 Free PCP Visits
Highmark Inc.
$268.26/mo
Ded: $10,600
UPMC Advantage Bronze $6,700/$0 - Partner Network
UPMC Health Options, Inc.
$273.51/mo
Ded: $6,700
Highmark Coverage Advantage Inc. Together Blue EPO Bronze 9200
Highmark Coverage Advantage Inc.
$281.31/mo
Ded: $9,200
UPMC Advantage Bronze $6,700/$0 - Partner Network with Adult Dental and Vision
UPMC Health Options, Inc.
$291.41/mo
Ded: $6,700
UPMC VirtualCare Bronze $4,400/$80 - Partner Network
UPMC Health Options, Inc.
$297.76/mo
Ded: $4,400
Highmark Coverage Advantage Inc. Together Blue EPO Bronze 3800
Highmark Coverage Advantage Inc.
$298.51/mo
Ded: $3,800
Average Premiums in Erie
Avg Bronze Plan
$352/mo
14 plans
Avg Silver Plan
$545/mo
Eligible for CSR cost reductions
Deductibles & Out-of-Pocket Limits in Erie
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 | 14 | $5,550 | $3,800–$9,200 | $9,900 |
| Silver | 16 | $3,500 | $0–$7,000 | $9,700 |
| Gold | 29 | $1,000 | $0–$2,900 | $7,500 |
| Platinum | 2 | $0 | $0 | $5,000 |
| Catastrophic | 5 | $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 Erie County
At $23,940 a year (150% of the poverty level), a 40-year-old in Erie County can get at least 5 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 (5+ plans) | $35 or less |
| 40 | $0 (5+ plans) | $17 or less |
| 60 | $0 (5+ plans) | $0 (5+ plans) |
Medicaid: Pennsylvania 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.
2026 premiums in Erie 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 Pennsylvania
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Health Insurance in Pennsylvania
Compare Pennsylvania's lowest-premium plans. See how Erie's $273.51/mo starting premium compares to the statewide picture.
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Compare plansFrequently asked questions about ACA insurance in Pennsylvania
What is the health insurance marketplace in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania (PA) health insurance marketplace is Pennie (https://pennie.com/), a state-based ACA exchange where residents compare and enroll in qualified health plans. Policymage lists 66 plans with live premium data. Open Enrollment runs November 1 through January 15.
How do I compare health insurance plans in Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania start from $273.51/month before subsidies.
Which Medicaid plan is best in Pennsylvania?
There is no single "best" Medicaid plan in Pennsylvania. Medicaid is administered through MCOs such as Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Independence Blue Cross, UPMC Health Plan. 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 Pennie. Apply year-round through your state Medicaid office.
Is short-term health insurance available in Pennsylvania?
Short-term health insurance is sold outside the ACA Marketplace in Pennsylvania 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 Pennie 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 PA?
Health insurance in PA starts as low as $273.51/month for a 30-year-old on a Bronze plan before subsidies. Most Pennsylvania 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 PA for 2027?
The cheapest ACA option in PA 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 Pennsylvania plans and prices at policymage.com/get-quotes.
How do I get health insurance in Pennsylvania?
To get health insurance in Pennsylvania, enroll in an ACA Marketplace plan through Pennie during Open Enrollment, which runs November 1 through January 15. Plans start at $273.51/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 Pennsylvania?
There is no single best health insurance plan in Pennsylvania; total annual cost depends on your doctors, prescriptions, and how much care you use. Policymage does not recommend plans. It lets you compare 66 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania per month?
Health insurance in Pennsylvania starts at $273.51 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 Pennsylvania?
Free or near-free coverage in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania residents on lower incomes.
When does Open Enrollment end in Pennsylvania for ACA plans?
Open Enrollment for Pennsylvania residents runs from November 1 through January 15. Pennsylvania runs its own exchange (Pennie), 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 Pennsylvania?
Health insurance in Pennsylvania starts as low as $273.51/month for a 30-year-old on a Bronze plan before subsidies. With APTC tax credits, many Pennsylvania residents pay $0–$50/month for Bronze coverage. Costs vary by age, county, tobacco use, and household size.
Does Pennsylvania use HealthCare.gov or its own state exchange?
Pennsylvania runs its own state-based Marketplace called Pennie (https://pennie.com/). You enroll there directly, not at HealthCare.gov. Plan offerings, enrollment dates, and customer support are managed by Pennsylvania, not the federal government.
Has Pennsylvania expanded Medicaid under the ACA?
Yes. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
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 Pennie subsidy calculator for your exact estimate.
What are the metal tiers in Pennsylvania (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum)?
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
Yes. HSA-eligible High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) are available in Pennsylvania through Pennie. 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 Pennsylvania ACA plans cover dental and vision?
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania plans cover pediatric dental and vision automatically. For adult dental/vision, you typically buy a separate standalone plan through Pennie or directly from an insurer.
What is a Qualifying Life Event for Special Enrollment in Pennsylvania?
Outside Open Enrollment, Pennsylvania 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 Pennie.
How do I find in-network doctors and hospitals in Pennsylvania?
Each Pennsylvania ACA plan has its own provider network. Before enrolling, look up the plan on Pennie, 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 Erie
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