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How To Find the Best Health Insurance in West Virginia

author-photoWritten & Edited by Dan Marticio
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Dan Marticio

Dan Marticio is the content manager at SmartFinancial and has written 150+ articles across multiple insurance verticals....

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Updated October 30, 2024

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West Virginians will want to compare West Virginia health insurance rates from multiple companies since the cost is higher than the nationwide average. Variations in insurers' underwriting methods can lead to significant differences in quotes, which makes shopping around a key step in getting affordable coverage.

Read below to find out everything you need to know about West Virginia health insurance, from the average cost of coverage to the carriers that tend to offer the most affordable health insurance.

Key Takeaways

  • West Virginia’s average monthly premium for a benchmark health plan is $919, which is higher than the national average.
  • The state government of West Virginia does not impose a penalty on residents who choose not to purchase health insurance.
  • CareSource offers the lowest starting rates for silver-tier plans among West Virginia health insurance companies.
  • The state-run marketplace for West Virginia, available through HealthCare.gov, hosts health insurance open enrollment from November 1 to January 15.
  • If you have limited income, you may qualify for financial assistance for health insurance through West Virginia's Medicaid program.

On This Page

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Is Health Insurance Required in West Virginia?

Federal law technically requires all U.S. residents to have health insurance, though penalties for uninsured individuals are no longer applied when filing federal tax returns as of tax year 2018. Similarly, West Virginia does not impose a tax penalty at the state level for those without health care coverage.[1][2]

West Virginia Health Insurance Rankings

West Virginia’s health care system faces challenges, ranking 49th out of 51 in an analysis of every state and Washington, D.C., by the Commonwealth Fund. The Mountain State ranks in the bottom 10 for several metrics, including avoidable hospital use and cost, healthy lives and racial and ethnic health equity. Its best score is in income disparity but it is still below average overall when compared to the rest of the nation. Below is a breakdown of West Virginia's standing for each metric:[3]

Dimension

National Rank

Reproductive & Women’s Health

38

Access & Affordability

37

Prevention & Treatment

39

Avoidable Hospital Use & Cost

50

Healthy Lives

51

Income Disparity

33

Racial & Ethnic Health Equity

45

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in West Virginia?

WV Monthly Premium for Cheapest Plan by Metal Tier

West Virginians pay an average of $919 per month for Marketplace benchmark health insurance, compared to the national average of $497. Other average monthly costs in West Virginia include $672 for the lowest-cost bronze-tier plan, $908 for the lowest-cost silver-tier plan and $855 for the lowest-cost gold-tier plan.[4]

Average Cost Benchmark Premium by State 2025

Cheapest Health Insurance Options in West Virginia

Depending on your health care needs, you may find cost savings with a bronze health plan. Bronze plans have low monthly premiums but require you to pay more out of pocket for deductibles, copays and coinsurance. A higher-tier plan, such as gold, might be more cost-effective if you need medical services frequently since they charge higher premiums but lower out-of-pocket costs.

Another affordable option may be a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan, which generally has lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs compared to preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. However, HMO plans require you to stay within their network for health care services and typically require referrals for specialist visits.[5]

What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in West Virginia by City?

The table below presents median health insurance coverage costs for 30-year-olds earning $40,000 annually in several large cities in West Virginia. Please note that these rates do not account for potential premium tax credits or subsidies, so your actual rate may actually be lower.[6]

City, ZIP Code

Quote

Charleston, 25301

$864.25

Huntington, 25701

$925.91

Martinsburg, 25401

$805.36

Wheeling, 26003

$821.06

Morgantown, 26501

$841.37

WV Median Monthly Rates in Major Cities

Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in West Virginia?

CareSource offers the lowest starting rates for silver health plans for 40-year-olds in West Virginia, with plans starting as low as $752. Another insurance company that may provide affordable coverage is Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.[7]

Company

Cost Range

CareSource

$752 to $1,019

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia

$768 to $994

When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in West Virginia?

You can shop for individual and family health plans on West Virginia’s health insurance marketplace during open enrollment from November 1 to January 15 each year. If you miss open enrollment, you can still sign up during a special enrollment period, which may be triggered by qualifying life events such as losing Medicaid coverage, being impacted by a natural disaster or being recently released from jail.[8]

What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in West Virginia?

Residents of West Virginia may have access to several types of health insurance, including:

  • Marketplace health insurance
  • Private coverage purchased directly from an insurance company, such as short-term health coverage
  • Employer-sponsored group health insurance
  • Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) continuation coverage
  • Medicare
  • Medicaid
  • Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
  • Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits
  • Student health plans

How To Get Health Insurance in West Virginia

To ensure you find the best plan for your needs, compare quotes from multiple health insurers before deciding which plan to join. This process can be time-consuming if you contact insurers individually, but SmartFinancial can help streamline the process. By filling out a quick questionnaire, you can receive quotes and guidance from local agents to help you choose the right coverage. Click here to start comparing health insurance quotes for free.

Compare West Virginia Health Insurance Quotes!

FAQs

Is health insurance expensive in West Virginia?

Health insurance in West Virginia tends to be considerably more expensive than the national average, with benchmark plans costing about $422 more per month compared to the rest of the U.S.[4]

Is Medicare available in West Virginia?

Eligible West Virginia residents can enroll in either Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.

Have health insurance rates gone up in West Virginia?

Health insurance rates in West Virginia have fluctuated over the years. 2025 benchmark plan rates have increased by about $72 between 2024 and 2025 and by nearly $300 since 2020.[4]

What happens if I don’t sign up for health insurance in West Virginia?

While you will not face a tax penalty for going uninsured in West Virginia, you will be responsible for paying for health insurance costs out of pocket.

Is there access to free health care in West Virginia?

West Virginian adults who are low-income, elderly, blind or have a disability qualify for West Virginia Medicaid, which helps cover prescriptions, medical care, nursing home care and more. Meanwhile, West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program (WVCHIP) provides financial support for health insurance for uninsured working families and adult pregnant women.[9]

Sources

  1. Internal Revenue Source. “Questions and Answers on the Individual Shared Responsibility Provision.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2024.
  2. KFF. “I'm Uninsured. Am I Required To Get Health Insurance?” Accessed Oct. 30, 2024.
  3. Commonwealth Fund. “West Virginia.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2024.
  4. KFF. “Average Marketplace Premiums by Metal Tier, 2018-2025.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2024.
  5. Humana. “HMO vs. PPO: Which Is Right for You?” Accessed Oct. 30, 2024.
  6. Healthcare.gov. “See Plans & Prices.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2024.
  7. ValuePenguin. “Best Cheap Health Insurance in West Virginia (2024).” Accessed Oct. 30, 2024.
  8. West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner. “2025 Assister & Navigator Training,” Pages 5, 12. Accessed Oct. 30, 2024.
  9. West Virginia Dept. of Human Services. “Core.” Accessed Oct. 30, 2024.
About the Author
Dan Marticio
Dan Marticio
Health Content Manager

Dan Marticio is the content manager at SmartFinancial and has written 150+ articles across multiple insurance verticals. His past experience writing in small business and personal finance verticals has earned him bylines on prominent fintech brands, including LendingTree, ValuePenguin, Fundera, The Balance and NerdWallet. His guides always aim to assist everyday consumers and entrepreneurs make informed decisions about their finances and business.

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