Quick answer
In 2026, the benchmark silver plan on New York’s marketplace averaged $817 a month before subsidies. New York doesn’t let insurers charge more based on age, so a 21-year-old and a 64-year-old pay the same price for the same plan. Many lower-income New Yorkers get free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid, the Essential Plan or Child Health Plus instead. For 2027, state regulators approved an average individual-market increase of 6%, far below the 20.6% insurers asked for.
Key takeaways
- New York prices individual plans the same for every adult, regardless of age.
- The Essential Plan now covers adults with incomes up to 200% of the poverty level ($31,920 for one person), down from 250% before July 2026.
- About 210,000 people bought private plans through NY State of Health for 2026.
- Premium tax credits still lower the cost for people with incomes between 100% and 400% of the poverty level.
- Open enrollment for 2027 coverage in New York runs from November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027.
On this page
What a New York marketplace plan costs
Because New York uses community rating, the price of a plan doesn’t depend on your age. In 2026, the benchmark silver plan averaged $817 a month for any adult, before subsidies. That’s higher than the U.S. average of $625 for a 40-year-old, but much lower than what a 60-year-old pays in most other states. Prices also vary by region within New York.
If you earn too much for a tax credit, above 400% of the poverty level, you’ll pay the full price. The enhanced subsidies that removed that limit expired at the end of 2025.
What you’d pay after a tax credit
If your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, a premium tax credit caps what you pay for the benchmark plan at a share of your income. For example, a single adult earning $40,000 would pay about $287 a month for the benchmark silver plan in 2026, with a tax credit of about $530 covering the rest.
Free and low-cost options in New York
| Program | Who it’s for |
|---|---|
| Medicaid | Adults with incomes up to 138% of the poverty level, plus children, pregnant people and others |
| Essential Plan | Adults 19 to 64 with incomes up to 200% of the poverty level who don’t qualify for Medicaid |
| Child Health Plus | Children under 19 who don’t qualify for Medicaid, with costs based on family income |
The Essential Plan covered people up to 250% of the poverty level from April 2024 through June 2026. Because of federal funding changes, it went back to 200% on July 1, 2026, and nearly 500,000 people had to move to other coverage. Many can now buy a private plan with a premium tax credit.
New York marketplace facts
- 2027 prices: The Department of Financial Services approved an average increase of 6.0% for individual plans, cut from the 20.6% insurers requested.
- Insurers: 12 insurers offered private plans in 2026.
- Standard plans: New York requires standardized plan designs at each metal level, which makes plans easier to compare.
- Insulin: State-regulated plans can’t charge cost-sharing for insulin.
Other ways to lower your costs
- Look at silver plans if your income is under 250% of the poverty level, for lower deductibles.
- Compare bronze plans if you’re healthy and want the lowest premium.
- Check job-based coverage, which is usually cheaper if it’s offered.
See the cheapest ways to get health insurance, health insurance for low-income families and how health insurance rates are determined.
Health insurance costs in nearby states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont. You can also compare health insurance costs in every state.
See 2027 New York plans and prices: compare quotes by ZIP code.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the average cost of health insurance in New York?
The 2026 benchmark silver plan averaged $817 a month before subsidies, the same for any adult. What you actually pay depends on your income and the plan you choose.
Why doesn’t age affect health insurance prices in New York?
New York requires community rating, so insurers charge every adult the same premium for a plan in a given region. Vermont has the same rule.
Who qualifies for the Essential Plan now?
Adults 19 to 64 with incomes up to 200% of the poverty level ($31,920 for one person) who don’t qualify for Medicaid, as of July 1, 2026.
Sources
- KFF: Average marketplace benchmark premiums by state
- NY Department of Financial Services: 2027 health insurance premium rates
- NY State of Health: Essential Plan changes due to federal rules
- healthinsurance.org: New York health insurance marketplace guide
- IRS: Rev. Proc. 2025-25 (2026 applicable percentages, PDF)
This article is general information, not insurance or tax advice. Prices are averages; your premium depends on your region, income and plan. Last reviewed September 2026.