ACA plans available
61
Plan year
2026 data Public-data reference. official source
Howard, Nebraska Health Insurance
Open-data reference.
61 ACA plans from 5 issuers — Plan year 2026
Howard, Nebraska offers 61 ACA marketplace plans from 5 issuers for plan year 2026. Bronze plans start at $574/mo and Silver plans start at $638/mo (age 27, before subsidies). Use the tables below to compare premiums, deductibles, and issuers across all metal tiers.
$793
Avg Silver Premium/mo
$644
Benchmark Premium/mo
+41.9%
Year-over-Year Change
$4,908
Avg Deductible
What the Numbers Say About Howard
Howard, Nebraska has 61 ACA marketplace plans offered by 5 issuers for plan year 2026. The average Silver-tier premium comes in at $793/mo for a 27-year-old non-tobacco user, with the lowest Silver at $638 and the highest at $1,128. Bronze plans start at $574/mo — useful for healthy enrollees who want catastrophic protection with the lowest monthly outlay.
The benchmark (second-lowest Silver) premium is $644/mo, the figure the IRS uses to calculate your Advance Premium Tax Credit. Enrollees whose expected income-based contribution falls below this amount receive a subsidy for the difference. Across all plans, the average annual deductible is $4,908 and the average out-of-pocket maximum is $8,958 — numbers that matter more than the sticker premium once you actually use care. Year-over-year, average premiums in Howard shifted by +41.9%, a signal of how local issuer pricing and risk-pool dynamics are trending.
Issuer count is one of the strongest predictors of affordability: with 5 issuers active in Howard, consumers have meaningful competition to pressure premiums lower. This page is informational only and is not insurance, medical, or tax advice — verify your eligibility, network coverage, and final pricing at HealthCare.gov before enrolling. Source: CMS Marketplace PUF, plan year 2026.
Premiums by Metal Level
Bronze
2 plans$604/mo avg
$574 — $635
Silver
21 plans$793/mo avg
$638 — $1,128
Gold
19 plans$813/mo avg
$637 — $1,114
Benchmark Premium & Subsidies
The benchmark premium (2nd-lowest Silver plan) in Howard is $644/mo for a 27-year-old. This is the amount used to calculate your premium tax credit. If your expected contribution (based on income) is less than the benchmark, you receive a subsidy for the difference. The higher the benchmark, the larger the potential subsidy.
Issuers in market
5
Competitive market
Benchmark Silver
$644 /mo
Sets your subsidy ceiling
Avg deductible
$4,908
Across all metal tiers
Howard ACA plans by premium and deductible
Each marker is the Howard average for one metal tier (and the local Bronze low / Silver high extremes where data is available). The dashed line marks the federal out-of-pocket-maximum ceiling.
Source: CMS Marketplace PUF for Howard, plan year 2026. Bronze = catastrophic-only zone (high deductible). Gold/Platinum = premium-heavy zone (low deductible).
Issuers in Howard
| Issuer | Plans | Avg Premium (Age 27) |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter Health | 16 | $619/mo |
| UnitedHealthcare | 14 | $764/mo |
| Medica | 12 | $823/mo |
| Oscar Insurance Company | 10 | $655/mo |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska | 9 | $849/mo |
All Plans in Howard
| Plan Name | Metal | Type | Premium (27) | Premium (40) | Deductible | OOP Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UHC Bronze Essential ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Bronze | EPO | $573.52 | $699.39 | $10,600 | $10,600 |
| HeartlandBlue Bronze 0% Coinsurance after Deductible NEtwork Blue Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska | Bronze | EPO | $634.51 | $773.77 | $10,500 | $10,500 |
| Standard Expanded Bronze Ambetter Health | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $489.35 | $596.74 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Standard Expanded Bronze + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter Health | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $501.01 | $610.96 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Bronze Classic Oscar Insurance Company | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $529.38 | $645.56 | $7,750 | $10,600 |
| Choice Bronze HSA Ambetter Health | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $530.56 | $647.00 | $7,250 | $7,250 |
| Choice Bronze HSA + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter Health | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $543.20 | $662.41 | $7,250 | $7,250 |
| Elite Bronze Ambetter Health | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $557.29 | $679.60 | $0 | $10,500 |
| Bronze Classic Standard Oscar Insurance Company | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $558.13 | $680.63 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Bronze Simple Diabetes Oscar Insurance Company | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $568.54 | $693.31 | $5,500 | $10,150 |
| Elite Bronze + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter Health | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $570.57 | $695.79 | $0 | $10,500 |
| UHC Bronze Standard (No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $594.33 | $724.77 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Bronze Elite + PCP Saver Plus Oscar Insurance Company | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $597.93 | $729.16 | $0 | $10,600 |
| Medica with CHI Health Bronze $0 Copay PCP Visits Medica | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $606.57 | $739.69 | $7,500 | $10,600 |
| Medica with CHI Health Expanded Bronze Standard Medica | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $613.67 | $748.36 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| UHC Bronze Copay Focus $0 Indiv Med Ded ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $621.72 | $758.16 | $0 | $10,600 |
| Medica with CHI Health Bronze Premier Medica | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $631.37 | $769.93 | $2,000 | $10,600 |
| UHC Bronze Copay Focus+ $0 Indiv Med Ded ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, Dental + Vision, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $637.31 | $777.17 | $0 | $10,600 |
| HeartlandBlue Bronze Standard 7500 NEtwork Blue Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $691.29 | $843.01 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| HeartlandBlue Bronze HSA 6500 NEtwork Blue Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $706.09 | $861.05 | $6,500 | $8,050 |
| Medica Insure Expanded Bronze Standard Medica | Expanded Bronze | EPO | $814.62 | $993.40 | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Standard Silver Ambetter Health | Silver | EPO | $637.69 | $777.64 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| Focused Silver Ambetter Health | Silver | EPO | $644.07 | $785.42 | $6,300 | $8,400 |
| Standard Silver + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter Health | Silver | EPO | $652.88 | $796.17 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| Focused Silver + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter Health | Silver | EPO | $659.42 | $804.14 | $6,300 | $8,400 |
| Silver Classic Standard Oscar Insurance Company | Silver | EPO | $698.59 | $851.91 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| Silver Simple PCP Saver Oscar Insurance Company | Silver | EPO | $698.83 | $852.20 | $5,750 | $9,600 |
| Silver Simple Diabetes Oscar Insurance Company | Silver | EPO | $700.23 | $853.91 | $6,500 | $10,000 |
| Silver Simple Women's Health with Menopause Benefits Oscar Insurance Company | Silver | EPO | $701.60 | $855.58 | $6,000 | $10,150 |
| UHC Silver Standard (No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Silver | EPO | $801.57 | $977.49 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| UHC Silver Value ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $8 Tier 2 Rx, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Silver | EPO | $805.55 | $982.34 | $3,500 | $8,900 |
| UHC Silver Standard+ (Dental + Vision, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Silver | EPO | $817.12 | $996.45 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| Medica with CHI Health Silver $0 Copay PCP Visits Medica | Silver | EPO | $817.36 | $996.75 | $3,500 | $10,450 |
| UHC Silver Value+ ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $8 Tier 2 Rx, Dental + Vision, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Silver | EPO | $821.14 | $1,001.35 | $3,500 | $8,900 |
| UHC Silver Copay Focus $0 Indiv Med Ded ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Silver | EPO | $821.73 | $1,002.07 | $0 | $10,600 |
| UHC Silver Copay Focus+ $0 Indiv Med Ded ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, Dental + Vision, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Silver | EPO | $837.27 | $1,021.03 | $0 | $10,600 |
| Medica with CHI Health Silver Share Medica | Silver | EPO | $838.61 | $1,022.66 | $3,525 | $8,850 |
| Medica with CHI Health Silver Standard Medica | Silver | EPO | $850.06 | $1,036.62 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| HeartlandBlue Silver Standard 6000 NEtwork Blue Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska | Silver | EPO | $889.12 | $1,084.25 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| HeartlandBlue Silver $0 PCP Visit 4500 NEtwork Blue Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska | Silver | EPO | $891.60 | $1,087.28 | $4,500 | $9,500 |
| HeartlandBlue Silver HSA 5500 NEtwork Blue w/ Adult Vision Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska | Silver | EPO | $943.42 | $1,150.47 | $5,500 | $6,000 |
| Medica Insure Silver Standard Medica | Silver | EPO | $1,128.41 | $1,376.05 | $6,000 | $8,900 |
| Clear Gold Ambetter Health | Gold | EPO | $636.65 | $776.38 | $1,200 | $9,150 |
| Clear Gold + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter Health | Gold | EPO | $651.82 | $794.88 | $1,200 | $9,150 |
| Standard Gold Ambetter Health | Gold | EPO | $653.27 | $796.64 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
| Standard Gold + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter Health | Gold | EPO | $668.84 | $815.62 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
| Gold Classic Standard Oscar Insurance Company | Gold | EPO | $730.79 | $891.17 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
| Elite Gold Ambetter Health | Gold | EPO | $740.88 | $903.47 | $0 | $6,500 |
| Elite Gold + Vision + Adult Dental Ambetter Health | Gold | EPO | $758.53 | $925.00 | $0 | $6,500 |
| Gold Elite Oscar Insurance Company | Gold | EPO | $767.45 | $935.88 | $500 | $6,500 |
| Medica with CHI Health Gold $0 Copay PCP Visits Medica | Gold | EPO | $799.91 | $975.46 | $1,500 | $8,800 |
| UHC Gold Standard (No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Gold | EPO | $816.45 | $995.63 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
| Medica with CHI Health Gold Share Medica | Gold | EPO | $823.53 | $1,004.26 | $2,500 | $5,900 |
| UHC Gold Value ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $5 Tier 2 Rx, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Gold | EPO | $827.32 | $1,008.89 | $1,750 | $8,200 |
| Medica with CHI Health Gold Standard Medica | Gold | EPO | $839.40 | $1,023.62 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
| UHC Gold Copay Focus $0 Indiv Med Ded ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $3 Tier 2 Rx, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Gold | EPO | $856.01 | $1,043.87 | $0 | $7,700 |
| UHC Gold Copay Focus+ $0 Indiv Med Ded ($0 Virtual Urgent Care, $3 Tier 2 Rx, Dental + Vision, No Referrals) UnitedHealthcare | Gold | EPO | $871.56 | $1,062.83 | $0 | $7,700 |
| HeartlandBlue Gold Standard 2000 NEtwork Blue Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska | Gold | EPO | $951.34 | $1,160.13 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
| HeartlandBlue Gold $0 PCP Visit 1500 NEtwork Blue Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska | Gold | EPO | $957.64 | $1,167.81 | $1,500 | $7,500 |
| HeartlandBlue Gold 1000 NEtwork Blue w/ Adult Vision Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska | Gold | EPO | $978.26 | $1,192.95 | $1,000 | $5,500 |
| Medica Insure Gold Standard Medica | Gold | EPO | $1,114.25 | $1,358.79 | $2,000 | $8,200 |
Silver Premium Trend (2022-2026)
| Year | Avg Premium | Min | Max | Plans | Issuers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $622/mo | $512 | $703 | 24 | 4 |
| 2023 | $558/mo | $437 | $693 | 25 | 4 |
| 2024 | $573/mo | $475 | $709 | 22 | 4 |
| 2025 | $598/mo | $500 | $801 | 22 | 5 |
| 2026 | $793/mo | $638 | $1,128 | 21 | 5 |
Health Insurance Guides
Choosing a Metal Level
Bronze vs Silver vs Gold vs Platinum — which tier fits your needs and budget
Understanding ACA Subsidies
How premium tax credits work and how to estimate your subsidy amount
Related Health & Cost Data
Find Doctors
PlainDoctor — Healthcare providers in Nebraska
Hospital Quality Ratings
PlainHospital — CMS star ratings and safety scores
Medicare Plans
PlainMedicare — Medicare Advantage and Part D data
Community Health Data
PlainHealth — CDC community health indicators
Health Access Metrics
PlainHealthAccess — Uninsured rates and provider shortages
Cost of Living
PlainCost — BEA regional price parities
Homeowners Insurance
PlainInsure — Treasury FIO premiums
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ACA plans are available in Howard, NE?
There are 61 ACA marketplace plans available in Howard from 5 insurance issuers for plan year 2026.
What is the cheapest health insurance plan in Howard?
The lowest-premium plan in Howard starts at $574/mo (Bronze tier, age 27). Silver plans start at $638/mo. Actual premiums vary by age and may be reduced by premium tax credits.
What is the benchmark premium for Howard?
The benchmark (second-lowest Silver) premium in Howard is $644/mo for a 27-year-old. This amount determines how much premium tax credit subsidy you may be eligible for.
How have premiums changed in Howard?
Average premiums in Howard changed by +41.9% year-over-year. Premium trends are tracked from 2022 to 2026 across all metal levels.
What is the average deductible and out-of-pocket maximum in Howard?
The average annual deductible across all plans in Howard is $4,908, and the average out-of-pocket maximum is $8,958. Bronze plans generally have higher deductibles but lower premiums, while Gold and Platinum plans have lower deductibles but higher monthly costs.
Which insurance companies offer plans in Howard?
There are 5 insurance issuers offering ACA marketplace plans in Howard, including Ambetter Health, UnitedHealthcare, Medica, and others. Competition among issuers affects plan variety and pricing. More issuers generally mean more choices and potentially lower premiums.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance or financial advice. Premiums shown are for a 27-year-old non-tobacco user unless otherwise noted. Your actual premium depends on age, location, tobacco use, and subsidy eligibility. Visit HealthCare.gov for official enrollment. Source: CMS Marketplace PUF, PY2026.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS — demographic + housing + income data. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — wage + employment by occupation. bls.gov/oes
- BEA Regional Economic Accounts — GDP + personal income by state/metro. bea.gov/data/regional
- U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns — establishment + employment by industry. census.gov/cbp
- IRS Statistics of Income (SOI) — tax-return aggregate data. irs.gov/statistics
- data.gov — U.S. federal open-data portal — discovery layer for additional federal sources. data.gov
Related
Data sourced from official U.S. government datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainHealthPlan Editorial
