I'm a 26 Year Old Buying Health Insurance. Here's How Much I Pay Monthly

When you turn 26, you get booted off your parent's health insurance plans. Bummer for me -- I turned 26 last year. That meant hunting for health insurance plans that fit my budget.

Health insurance shopping is complicated. Insurers sell plans individually, making it difficult to compare prices and features. Thankfully, my state is one of those that offers a health insurance marketplace. After much hemming and hawing, I turned to Covered California for coverage.

I pay $202.27 monthly for health insurance

I pay $202.27 monthly for the Kaiser Minimum Coverage HMO plan. It's one of the cheapest options available. Kaiser's, erm, notable lack of coverage reflects that.

My deductible is sky-high at $9,450 per year. For most care, I'm paying in full until I hit that $9,450 mark, after which Kaiser will foot the bill.

I purchased the plan in case something horrible happens. If I get into a car accident or I'm diagnosed with a serious illness, I won't go broke. But short of an emergency, my insurance won't cover much. Like most plans, it covers vaccinations, which is something.

(FYI: You buy health insurance separately from life insurance. Took me a bit to figure that out.)

How much is the right amount of coverage at 26 years old?

Generally speaking, younger Americans can get away with cheap health insurance.

I'm banking on my good health. I'm 26 and haven't been seriously ill in years. Chances are, I won't pay even close to my yearly deductible in health-related expenses. But folks anticipating frequent doctor visits may want to purchase a plan with a lower deductible.

Another thing to consider is peace of mind. If you're stressing about paying huge healthcare bills after an accident, and you can afford pricier plans, go for it. If your state offers a health insurance marketplace, check it out to compare prices side by side.

Another place to find health insurance is HealthCare.gov.

My plan doesn't cover primary care visits

Regarding regular checkups, I'm on my own -- at least until I pay my yearly deductible, which is unlikely. The cost of primary care in my area (Los Angeles) is about $190 per visit, no bells and whistles included, according to a 2024 study by Mira Research. Physical exams average $199 generally.

Look. I'm all for "treating your body like a temple" and whatnot. But $200 for a quick checkup is a hard pill to swallow. Especially since scheduling appointments can be a hassle. Fortunately, there are cheaper alternatives to traditional primary care visits.

Virtual visits are cheaper but limited

Members of Costco, take heed! Costco strikes again, offering members cheap health services, including $29 virtual primary care visits and $72 health assessments that include running a standard lab panel and a virtual follow-up. This is separate from Costco Pharmacy, which offers members discounts on prescriptions.

How Costco members activate their healthcare perks:

1. Navigate to the Sesame website.
2. Create an account (or log in).
3. Verify your Costco membership.

Amazon Clinic offers virtual checkups and prescriptions for minor health issues like flu symptoms and allergies. According to Amazon's website, Amazon Clinic messaging-based consultations cost $35, and video visits cost $75 on average. That said, prices vary.

However, neither service takes health insurance, though you can use insurance to cover prescriptions. So they're only worth paying for if you have high deductibles, are uninsured, or are willing to pay for the convenience of virtual visits.

I'm comfortable with virtual care visits, but they're only for some. Valid concerns include lower-quality exams and technology shenanigans. It's okay to stick with in-person appointments. But if you're a 26-year-old buying health insurance, cheaper alternatives might be worth a look.