Looking to save on health insurance? Both average insurance rates and average annual deductibles differ among the 50 states. View our charts to see which state does health care the best.
Health insurance is a hotly debated political issue in the United States. It’s something we all need, but it is often expensive and out of reach for some people. While the health insurance debate takes place at the national level, health insurance rates actually vary between states. The two maps below show health insurance rates by state and average annual deductibles with a silver plan. Find your state and see how it compares to others.
In the map above, states are split into four categories based on average monthly premiums per person. States colored red have an average monthly premium of between $651 and $780, states colored pink are between $451 and $550, states colored light green are between $451 and $550 and states colored dark green are between $411 and $450. The data were collected from United Benefit Advisors.
In this map, states are split into four categories based on the average annual deductible with a silver plan. States colored dark purple have an average annual deductible of between $5,000 and $6,913, states colored light purple are between $4,000 and $4,999, states colored teal are between $3,000 and $3,999 and states colored dark teal are between $1,733 and $2,999. The data were collected from Stride Health. The figures were calculated based on the average of four popular silver plan deductibles from each state for single males, age 40 years old, non-smokers and annual income of $51,640 (the median income for males of that age). The data were collected from Stride Health.
In the first map of the average health insurance rates, it is plain to see that most states fall into the bottom two categories. Wyoming and Alaska have the most expensive average health insurance rates in the country. Only 11 states fall into the second highest category of between $551 and $650 per month on average. Average annual deductibles are more spread out compared to health insurance rates. States in the Midwest region, with some notable exceptions in the rust belt, have low deductibles compared to the rest of the country.
The rust belt is the region with the worst overall health insurance in terms of both costs and deductibles, but there are a few outliers. This is true of the south to a lesser extent. Deductibles are high in the south, but the premiums are generally lower. Indiana appears to have the worst combination of health insurance premiums and deductibles. The state has the 13th highest average monthly premium at $552 and the second highest a deductible in the country at $6,763. A study by the Rand Corporation found that some hospitals in Indiana charge more than three times what they charge Medicare for the same procedures. Neighboring Illinois is a close second for the worst outcome with the ninth highest average monthly premium at $552 and the 11th highest average annual deductible at $5,325.