Quick answer
There’s no single Blue Cross Blue Shield price. BCBS is a group of 33 independent companies, and each sets its own rates by state and plan. Marketplace Blue plans are priced like any other ACA plan: the 2026 benchmark silver plan for a 40-year-old averaged $625 a month nationally before subsidies, and most buyers pay less after a tax credit. If you get Blue coverage through work, the average worker paid about $120 a month for single coverage in 2025.
Key takeaways
- The 33 Blue companies together cover about 118 million people.
- Your price depends on your state, age, plan level, tobacco use and income, not on the Blue brand.
- Blue plans often have large local networks, which can mean higher premiums than narrow-network plans.
- Premium tax credits work the same on a Blue marketplace plan as on any other.
- Compare Blue plans with other insurers in your area before you choose.
On this page
Why BCBS prices vary so much
Each Blue company operates in its own territory. Some are nonprofits, some are owned by large publicly traded companies like Elevance Health, which runs Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in several states. Each company files its own rates with state regulators, and prices differ by county, age and plan.
What a Blue plan costs
| How you get coverage | What you might pay |
|---|---|
| Marketplace plan | Priced like any ACA plan. The national average benchmark silver premium for a 40-year-old was $625 a month in 2026 before subsidies |
| Job-based plan | Workers paid $1,440 a year for single coverage and $6,850 for family coverage on average in 2025 |
| Medicare Advantage or Medigap | Varies by plan and area; many Medicare Advantage plans charge little or no premium beyond Part B |
Understanding the costs
- Premium: what you pay each month.
- Deductible: what you pay for covered care before the plan shares costs.
- Copays: flat fees for visits and prescriptions.
- Coinsurance: your percentage of the bill after the deductible.
- Out-of-pocket maximum: the most you’ll pay for covered in-network care in a year, capped at $10,600 for one person in 2026.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield worth the price?
Blue companies are often the largest insurer in their states, with broad networks that include major hospitals. That can be worth paying for if you want access to a specific hospital or plan to see many specialists. If a narrower network includes your doctors, another insurer’s plan may cost less. Check quality ratings too. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts was among the plans that earned five stars in NCQA’s 2026 ratings.
How to compare Blue plans with others
- Search the plan’s directory for your doctors and hospital.
- Check your prescriptions on the drug list.
- Compare premiums after your tax credit, plus the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.
- Look at star ratings on HealthCare.gov.
See the best health insurance companies and why rates differ between insurance companies.
Related guides: our review of Blue Cross Blue Shield Marketplace plans and the best health insurance companies.
See Blue Cross Blue Shield and other plans in your area: compare quotes by ZIP code.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Blue Cross Blue Shield cost per month for one person?
It depends on your state, age and plan. On the marketplace, the average benchmark silver plan for a 40-year-old was $625 a month before subsidies in 2026, and most people pay less after a tax credit.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield more expensive than other insurers?
Sometimes. Blue plans often have broader networks, which can cost more. In some areas a Blue plan is among the cheapest options, so compare local prices.
Can I use my Blue Cross Blue Shield plan in another state?
Many Blue plans let you get care from Blue providers in other states through the BlueCard program, but rules depend on your plan. Emergency care is covered anywhere.
Sources
This article is general information, not an endorsement of any insurer. Prices change every year, so compare current plans in your area. Last reviewed September 2026.