Short answer: For plan year 2026, Arizona has 7 marketplace carriers offering 574 plan options across its 15 counties and 7 rating areas. The typical county has 3 carriers to choose from (up to 7), which makes it a moderately competitive market. Full-price premiums for a 40-year-old run from about $352 to $1,315 per month before subsidies, with a median around $638. Most enrollees pay far less after premium tax credits. (Figures from CMS plan year 2026 marketplace data; reviewed July 2026 by Daniel Griffin, NPN #22052447.)
Who Actually Sells Marketplace Plans in Arizona
Carrier availability in Arizona is decided county by county, not statewide. A carrier with a big statewide reputation may not file plans where you live, and that single fact drives more of your real options than any national comparison chart. Here is how the 7 carriers in Arizona actually cover the state's 15 counties for 2026:
| Carrier | Counties served | Share of state |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona | 15 | 100% |
| Imperial Insurance Companies, Inc. | 10 | 67% |
| Ambetter from Arizona Complete Health | 9 | 60% |
| UnitedHealthcare | 7 | 47% |
| Oscar Health Plan, Inc. | 4 | 27% |
| Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc | 3 | 20% |
| Antidote Health Plan of Arizona, Inc. | 3 | 20% |
Single-carrier counties: 1 of Arizona's 15 counties have only one marketplace carrier (Apache). If you live in one, your plan choice is limited to that carrier's lineup, and network verification matters more than shopping on price alone.
Lowest-Cost Arizona Plan in Each Metal Tier (Age 40)
These are the lowest-premium plans available somewhere in Arizona at each metal level, with the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum that come with them. Premiums shown are full price before subsidies for a 40-year-old; your actual cost depends on your rating area, age, household, and income.
| Tier | Plan | Carrier | Type | Premium (age 40) | Deductible | OOP max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catastrophic | Catastrophic Standard | Antidote Health Plan of Arizona, Inc. | HMO | $352 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
| Expanded Bronze | Imperial Standard Bronze | Imperial Insurance Companies, Inc. | HMO | $375 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Bronze | UHC Bronze Essential ($0 Virtual Urgent Care) | UnitedHealthcare | HMO | $436 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
| Silver | Imperial Standard Silver | Imperial Insurance Companies, Inc. | HMO | $438 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| Gold | Imperial Standard Gold | Imperial Insurance Companies, Inc. | HMO | $516 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
Reading this table: notice how the premium and the deductible move in opposite directions. A Bronze plan wins on monthly cost and loses badly if you actually use care. The right tier depends on your expected utilization and, critically, whether your income qualifies you for cost-sharing reductions — which only attach to Silver plans.
What Age Does to a Arizona Premium
The ACA lets insurers charge a 64-year-old up to three times what they charge a 21-year-old for the same plan. That age curve, not your health, is the biggest driver of your sticker price. Using Arizona's lowest-cost Silver plan as the reference point:
| Age | Full-price monthly premium |
|---|---|
| Age 21 | $343 |
| Age 27 | $359 |
| Age 30 | $389 |
| Age 40 | $438 |
| Age 50 | $612 |
| Age 60 | $930 |
This is exactly why subsidies matter more as you get older: the same income at 60 buys a much larger premium tax credit than at 30, because the credit is calculated against the benchmark plan's cost in your area.
Plan Types and Metal Levels Available in Arizona
Plan types: HMO (574 plans). Plan type governs out-of-network access — HMO and EPO plans typically cover out-of-network care only in an emergency, while PPO and POS designs cover it at higher cost sharing. If keeping a specific hospital or specialist matters to you, that decision comes before price.
Metal levels: Silver (195), Gold (184), Expanded Bronze (183), Bronze (9), Catastrophic (3). Not every tier is offered in every county, so the mix above is statewide availability rather than a guarantee for your ZIP code.
Before enrolling in any Arizona plan, confirm your hospital and physicians participate in that specific plan's network — not just the carrier's. See how to verify a hospital is in-network.
Subsidies Change These Numbers Completely
Every premium on this page is the unsubsidized sticker price. Premium tax credits are based on household income relative to the federal poverty level and on the benchmark Silver plan in your rating area — which is why two people with identical income in different Arizona counties can receive different credits. If your income falls in the subsidy range, your net premium can be a small fraction of the figures above. If you're self-employed, the calculation runs on your net income after business deductions, which is the single most common place people misestimate and overpay. See how ACA subsidies work and the subsidy estimator.
Note: this page is published for informational purposes. I am not licensed in Arizona and cannot sell, solicit, or negotiate insurance there. To find licensed help in Arizona, use the official marketplace at HealthCare.gov or your state exchange, or your state's department of insurance producer lookup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many health insurance companies offer marketplace plans in Arizona?
For plan year 2026, 7 carriers offer ACA marketplace plans somewhere in Arizona, across 574 total plan options in 15 counties. Availability is local, not statewide: the typical county has 3 carrier(s) available and the most competitive has 7. The broadest carrier is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, available in 15 of 15 counties.
How much does health insurance cost per month in Arizona in 2026?
Before subsidies, monthly premiums for a 40-year-old in Arizona range from roughly $352 to $1,315, with a median near $638, based on CMS plan year 2026 marketplace data. The lowest-cost Silver option starts around $438 at age 40. Premium tax credits are income-based and frequently reduce the net cost dramatically, so the sticker price is rarely what a subsidized enrollee actually pays.
What is the cheapest health insurance plan in Arizona?
The lowest-premium plan in Arizona for a 40-year-old is Imperial Standard Bronze at about $375 per month, but cheapest premium is rarely cheapest overall. Bronze plans carry the highest deductibles, and if your income qualifies you for cost-sharing reductions, a Silver plan usually delivers far better value than Bronze despite the higher premium.
Do Arizona marketplace plans cover pre-existing conditions?
Yes. Every ACA marketplace plan in Arizona must cover pre-existing conditions with no waiting period and no health underwriting, and must include the ten essential health benefits. Carriers cannot deny you or charge more because of health history. Premiums vary only by age, ZIP code rating area, household size, and tobacco use.
What plan types are available in Arizona?
Arizona's 2026 marketplace includes HMO (574 plans). Plan type determines out-of-network access: HMO and EPO plans generally cover out-of-network care only in emergencies, while PPO and POS plans cover it at higher cost sharing. If you need a specific hospital or specialist, verify the network before enrolling rather than choosing on premium alone.
When can I enroll in a Arizona marketplace plan?
Open Enrollment runs November 1 through January 15. Outside that window you need a qualifying life event — losing coverage, moving, marriage, a new baby, or certain income changes — which opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period. Medicaid enrollment is year-round for those who qualify.