Quick answer
In 2026, the benchmark silver plan on HealthCare.gov averaged $711 a month for a 40-year-old Tennessean before subsidies, well above the U.S. average of $625. Prices rise with age, from about $556 a month at 21 to $1,669 at 64. More than 9 in 10 enrollees got a premium tax credit, and the average enrollee paid $141 a month after it. Proposed 2027 increases are still under review, and Cigna is leaving the state’s marketplace.
Key takeaways
- Tennessee’s 2026 benchmark premium for a 40-year-old, $711 a month, ran well above the U.S. average of $625.
- 569,310 Tennesseans picked a marketplace plan for 2026, down 11% from 2025, and more than 90% got a premium tax credit.
- Proposed 2027 increases average 12.7% to 15.9% depending on how the insurers’ requests are weighted; regulators hadn’t approved a final number as of late September 2026.
- Cigna is leaving Tennessee’s marketplace at the end of 2026, one of 11 states where it’s exiting.
- Tennessee hasn’t expanded Medicaid, and TennCare’s income limits leave about 95,000 people in a coverage gap.
On this page
What a Tennessee Marketplace plan costs before subsidies
| Age | Benchmark silver plan, per month (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| 21 | $556 |
| 30 | $631 |
| 40 | $711 |
| 50 | $994 |
| 60 | $1,510 |
| 64 | $1,669 |
| Child under 15 | $426 |
A family of four with two 40-year-old parents and two young children would pay about $2,273 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 Tennessee earning $40,000 would pay about $287 a month for the benchmark plan in 2026, with a tax credit of about $424. 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.
Because Tennessee hasn’t expanded Medicaid, adults without children generally can’t get Medicaid no matter how little they earn, and TennCare limits parents and caretakers to 105% of the poverty level. That leaves an estimated 95,000 Tennesseans in a coverage gap: too much income for TennCare, not enough to qualify for a marketplace tax credit. See health insurance for low-income families.
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.
Tennessee Marketplace facts
- Marketplace: HealthCare.gov, the federal exchange.
- Enrollment: 569,310 plan selections for 2026, down from 642,867 in 2025. More than 90% of enrollees got a premium tax credit or cost-sharing reduction, and 36% paid less than $10 a month.
- Insurers: Six companies sold Tennessee marketplace plans in 2026: BCBS of Tennessee, Oscar, Celtic/Ambetter, UnitedHealthcare, Alliant and Cigna. Cigna is leaving at the end of 2026, leaving five for 2027. See what to do if your insurance company leaves the marketplace.
- 2027 prices: Still proposed, not approved. Using the same insurer filings, healthinsurance.org calculates a 12.7% average increase and ACA Signups calculates 15.9%; the gap comes from weighting method, not different data. Requests range from 10.4% (BCBS of Tennessee) to 28.7% (UnitedHealthcare).
- State help: Tennessee doesn’t have a state premium subsidy or reinsurance program for marketplace plans.
- Medicaid: TennCare covers parents and caretakers up to only 105% of the poverty level, and childless adults generally don’t qualify at any income. Tennessee is one of 10 states that haven’t adopted full Medicaid expansion.
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 Tennessee
- Job-based coverage, usually the cheapest route if it’s offered.
- TennCare for children, pregnant people and eligible parents, and CoverKids for children up to 255% of the poverty level; see health insurance for children.
- Medicare at 65.
Health insurance costs in nearby states: Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas. You can also compare health insurance costs in every state.
See 2027 plans and prices in your Tennessee county: compare quotes by ZIP code.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the average cost of health insurance in Tennessee?
Before subsidies, the 2026 benchmark silver plan for a 40-year-old averaged $711 a month. After tax credits, the average marketplace enrollee paid $141 a month in 2026.
Is Cigna leaving Tennessee?
Yes. Cigna is exiting Tennessee’s individual marketplace at the end of 2026, along with 10 other states. Its Tennessee members need to pick a new plan during open enrollment.
Did Tennessee expand Medicaid?
No. Tennessee is one of 10 states that haven’t adopted full ACA expansion. TennCare covers parents and caretakers up to 105% of the poverty level, but childless adults generally don’t qualify regardless of income.
Sources
- healthinsurance.org: Tennessee health insurance marketplace
- healthinsurance.org: Tennessee Medicaid
- ACA Signups: 2027 rate changes, Tennessee
- KFF: Marketplace average premiums and average APTC by state
- KFF: Marketplace average benchmark premiums by state
- KFF: The coverage gap for uninsured adults in non-expansion states
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.