Before subsidies, the benchmark silver plan for a 40-year-old in Franklin County cost about $538 a month for 2026, and the Ohio average for 2027 is $603 a month. Premium tax credits bring that down for many households, depending on income and family size. 8 insurers offered marketplace plans in Franklin County for 2026. Below you'll find how coverage works in Columbus, the local agencies with the strongest reviews, and where to get free help.
Top-rated health insurance agencies near Columbus
Licensed agents can compare plans available in Franklin County, check your doctors and estimate your premium tax credit. Free to you.
Call 866-645-8540Health insurance at a glance: Columbus, OH
| Where to enroll | HealthCare.gov |
|---|---|
| Average benchmark silver, age 40 (2027) | $603/mo before subsidies |
| Franklin County benchmark (2026) | $538/mo |
| Plans offered in Franklin County (2026) | 130 |
| Plan types | HMO |
| Marketplace insurers in Ohio (2027) | 9 |
| Medicaid expansion | Yes |
| Short-term plans | Sold with state limits (not ACA-compliant) |
Sources: CMS plan data, KFF, state marketplace and insurance department pages.
Local health care in Columbus
- Networks worth checking before you pick a plan in Columbus are The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (University Hospital, Ross Heart Hospital and Harding Hospital) and OhioHealth (Riverside Methodist, Grant Medical Center and Doctors Hospital). Source
- OhioHealth operates several Columbus hospitals, including Riverside Methodist Hospital and Grant Medical Center. Source
- The city is served by Columbus Public Health, which runs health clinics and services for residents. Source
Before you choose a plan, check that the hospitals and doctors you use are in its network. An agent can look that up for each plan you compare.
Before you call an agent
- Write down the enrollment deadline and confirm your first premium payment.
- Have a realistic estimate of next year's household income; subsidies are based on it.
- Compare total yearly cost (premiums plus deductible), not just the monthly premium.
- Make a list of your doctors, hospitals and prescriptions before you call anyone.
Free enrollment help in Ohio
HealthCare.gov Marketplace assisters: CMS-funded Navigator organizations plus Certified Application Counselors, who give free, impartial help applying and enrolling; consumers search for nearby help with the HealthCare.gov Find Local Help tool. You can search for in-person help on the official find-help page. If you'd rather have someone compare plans and recommend one, a licensed agent can do that at no cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Which insurers sell marketplace plans in Ohio?
For 2027, marketplace plans in Ohio come from 9 insurers: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Ambetter from Buckeye Health Plan, Medical Mutual (MedMutual), Oscar Health, SummaCare, UnitedHealthcare, Antidote Health, AmeriHealth Caritas and Paramount Insurance. Not every insurer sells in every county.
Can I get coverage outside open enrollment?
Only with a qualifying life event, unless you qualify for Ohio Medicaid. Some people also look at short-term or fixed-indemnity plans, which are not ACA-compliant coverage.
Where can I buy health insurance in Columbus?
Through the HealthCare.gov, directly from an insurer, or with a licensed agent or broker who can do either.
Health insurance in nearby cities
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