Short answer: For plan year 2026, Ohio has 11 marketplace carriers offering 9,038 plan options across its 88 counties and 17 rating areas. The typical county has 7 carriers to choose from (up to 9), which makes it a competitive market. Full-price premiums for a 40-year-old run from about $356 to $1,235 per month before subsidies, with a median around $606. 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 Ohio
Carrier availability in Ohio 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 11 carriers in Ohio actually cover the state's 88 counties for 2026:
| Carrier | Counties served | Share of state |
|---|---|---|
| CareSource | 88 | 100% |
| MedMutual | 88 | 100% |
| Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | 88 | 100% |
| Molina Healthcare | 80 | 91% |
| Ambetter from Buckeye Health Plan | 72 | 82% |
| Antidote Health Plan of Ohio, Inc. | 51 | 58% |
| UnitedHealthcare | 42 | 48% |
| Oscar Health Insurance | 31 | 35% |
Every one of Ohio's 88 counties has at least two competing marketplace carriers, which is better than many states and generally means more network and price choice.
Lowest-Cost Ohio Plan in Each Metal Tier (Age 40)
These are the lowest-premium plans available somewhere in Ohio 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expanded Bronze | Bronze Classic Standard | Oscar Health Insurance | HMO | $356 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Bronze | SummaCare Bronze 8000 | SummaCare | HMO | $406 | $8,000 | $10,600 |
| Silver | Silver Classic Standard | Oscar Health Insurance | HMO | $482 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| Gold | Gold Classic Standard | Oscar Health Insurance | HMO | $482 | $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 Ohio 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 Ohio's lowest-cost Silver plan as the reference point:
| Age | Full-price monthly premium |
|---|---|
| Age 21 | $377 |
| Age 27 | $395 |
| Age 30 | $428 |
| Age 40 | $482 |
| Age 50 | $674 |
| Age 60 | $1,023 |
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 Ohio
Plan types: HMO (9,038 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 (3,139), Gold (2,895), Expanded Bronze (2,778), Bronze (226). 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 Ohio 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 Ohio 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.
I'm licensed in Ohio, and running these numbers against your income, your ZIP code's rating area, and the doctors you actually use is free — carriers pay the commission and your premium is identical with or without an advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many health insurance companies offer marketplace plans in Ohio?
For plan year 2026, 11 carriers offer ACA marketplace plans somewhere in Ohio, across 9,038 total plan options in 88 counties. Availability is local, not statewide: the typical county has 7 carrier(s) available and the most competitive has 9. The broadest carrier is CareSource, available in 88 of 88 counties.
How much does health insurance cost per month in Ohio in 2026?
Before subsidies, monthly premiums for a 40-year-old in Ohio range from roughly $356 to $1,235, with a median near $606, based on CMS plan year 2026 marketplace data. The lowest-cost Silver option starts around $482 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 Ohio?
The lowest-premium plan in Ohio for a 40-year-old is Bronze Classic Standard at about $356 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 Ohio marketplace plans cover pre-existing conditions?
Yes. Every ACA marketplace plan in Ohio 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 Ohio?
Ohio's 2026 marketplace includes HMO (9,038 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 Ohio 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.