Quick answer
In 2026, the benchmark silver plan on Pennie, Pennsylvania’s Marketplace, averaged $572 a month for a 40-year-old before subsidies, a bit below the U.S. average of $625. Prices rise with age, from about $448 a month at 21 to $1,215 at 60. About 8 in 10 enrollees get a tax credit that lowers the cost. For 2027, the state approved an average increase of about 16%.
Key takeaways
- Pennsylvania’s 2026 benchmark premium for a 40-year-old was about $53 below the national average.
- About 501,000 Pennsylvanians picked a Pennie plan for 2026, and about 8 in 10 got a premium tax credit.
- The state approved an average 15.97% rate increase for 2027, ranging from 1.4% to 35.1% by insurer.
- Pennsylvania expanded Medicaid, and many adults in the expansion group will face new work requirements in 2027.
- A state premium assistance program is written into law but hasn’t been funded.
On this page
What a Pennsylvania Marketplace plan costs before subsidies
| Age | Benchmark silver plan, per month (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| 21 | $448 |
| 30 | $508 |
| 40 | $572 |
| 50 | $799 |
| 60 | $1,215 |
| 64 | $1,343 |
| Child under 15 | $342 |
A family of four with two 40-year-old parents and two young children would pay about $1,828 a month for benchmark plans before subsidies.
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. A single 40-year-old in Pennsylvania earning $40,000 would pay about $287 a month for the benchmark plan in 2026, with a tax credit of about $285. For 2027, the same person’s share would be about $289 a month. Above 400% of the poverty level ($62,600 for one person for 2026 coverage, $63,840 for 2027), you’d pay full price.
Only Pennie offers these tax credits. If you buy directly from an insurer, you pay full price. See what is a subsidy in health insurance.
Costs beyond the premium
What you pay when you get care depends on your plan’s deductible, copays and coinsurance, up to the out-of-pocket maximum of $10,600 for one person in 2026 ($12,000 in 2027). If your income is under 250% of the poverty level, a silver plan’s cost-sharing reductions lower those costs.
Pennsylvania Marketplace facts
- Marketplace: Pennie, the state-run exchange.
- Enrollment: 501,459 plan selections for 2026, about the same as 2025. Pennie says enrollees faced an average price increase of 102% to keep their plan after the extra federal tax credits expired, and enrollment had fallen to about 417,000 by September 2026.
- Cost after credits: Enrollees paid an average of $251 a month after tax credits in 2026.
- 2027 prices: The Pennsylvania Insurance Department approved an average increase of 15.97%, below the 17.14% insurers asked for, for 14 insurance companies. Increases range from 1.4% for Oscar to 35.1% for Ambetter.
- State help: A reinsurance program has lowered unsubsidized premiums since 2021. A state premium assistance program was created in 2024 but still had no funding as of September 2026.
- Medicaid: Pennsylvania expanded Medicaid, called Medical Assistance, covering adults with incomes up to 138% of the poverty level. Starting in 2027, many adults in the expansion group will need to meet federal work requirements. See Medicaid work requirements.
When to enroll
Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Sign up by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1. For ways to keep your bill down, see how to lower your Marketplace premium.
Other options in Pennsylvania
- Job-based coverage, usually the cheapest route if it’s offered.
- Medicaid and CHIP for adults and children who qualify; see health insurance for low-income families.
- Medicare at 65.
Health insurance costs in other states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
See 2027 plans and prices in your Pennsylvania county: compare quotes by ZIP code.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the average cost of health insurance in Pennsylvania?
Before subsidies, the 2026 benchmark silver plan for a 40-year-old averaged $572 a month. What you pay depends on your age, county, income and plan.
How much are Pennsylvania health insurance rates going up for 2027?
The state approved an average increase of 15.97% for individual plans, with changes ranging from 1.4% to 35.1% depending on the insurer. Your tax credit may cover part of the increase.
When is open enrollment for 2027 in Pennsylvania?
November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 on Pennie. Sign up by December 15 for coverage starting January 1.
Sources
This article is general information, not insurance or tax advice. Prices are averages and estimates; your actual premium depends on your county, age, income and plan. Last reviewed September 2026.