Best Health Insurance Companies

Kaiser Permanente is a nonprofit insurance company headquartered in Oakland, California. Founded in 1945, it only serves a limited number of states but still has over 12 million healthcare members. Kaiser is now ranked among the top carriers regarding customer satisfaction and the range of services.

Financial strength: A+

Kaiser Permanente has a superior financial strength rating, meaning that it is considered a safe choice. Both A.M. Best Rating Services and BBB give it the highest possible score of A+.

Pricing

The rates at Kaiser are generally below the industry average, especially for non-smokers and people 55 or older. If you are living in one of the states that the company services and falls within the right age group, it might very well be the best option available right now.

There are, of course, plenty of other factors that influence the cost of your policy, but overall you should expect to pay less than with some of the other providers. 

For customers who are dedicated to a healthy lifestyle, Kaiser Permanente offers a ChooseHealthy program that provides you with hundreds of discounts on various fitness, wellness, and entertainment activities. This allows you to save a lot of money on gym membership, snowboarding lift tickets, live theater, and weight loss programs.

Product Quality

Kaiser Permanente operates in just eight states plus the District of Columbia, which is one of the biggest downsides for any insurance firm. In the covered regions, however, the company has 39 hospitals, 734 medical offices and outpatient facilities, and well over 23,656 Kaiser doctors within its network.

But if you choose to use Kaiser, you will have to stay within those borders. Kaiser Permanente does not cover outside specialists or refer you outside of its network, which can pose difficulties even for people within the states that are covered.

For instance, if your family subscribed to one of the Kaiser plans, but your child is working or studying in a state that is not covered, Kaiser may not cover their medical care there. 

When it comes to the available plans, Keiser insurance offers HMO, PPO, Medicare, Medicaid, and even dental and vision insurance plans. You can easily access all the plans that are available for your region by inputting your ZIP code on the company’s website. The other option is to take advantage of an excellent, feature-heavy mobile app. 

The whole process is straightforward and quick, especially since the Kaiser online platform has a great deal of resources that customers can use. For instance, the member portal tracks prescriptions 24/7, and you gain access to a dedicated customer support line.

You can also access your medical records, make appointments, order medication or educate yourself by either going through the tips and information on the website or by attending live classes at Kaiser facilities. All in all, it is one of the premier platforms if you and your family are eligible to take every advantage being offered.

Customer Satisfaction

Kaiser Permanente is among the few firms with perfect health insurance ratings on J.D. Power’s list, and it has been holding that 5-star rating for six years in a row.

Customers on Consumer Affairs have given the company a 3.1 rating, mostly praising its customer service quality and the speed of claims processing.

Final Words

With stellar products and a limited area of coverage, Kaiser Permanente is a great choice if you can make use of its services. This is a rare company that is both nonprofit and manages to remain strong in a for-profit industry. Kaiser manages this by providing a variety of solid plans, a world-class platform, and an even better mobile app.

It is also one of the top choices that we can recommend for persons 55 and older. So if you are living, working, or already planning a retirement in one of the states covered, Kaiser Permanente should definitely be a company to consider.

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is one of the US's largest and most prominent insurance companies. Founded in 1982 when two industry veterans, Blue Shield and Blue Cross merged, this carrier now serves over 107 million Americans across all 50 states.

Financial Strength: A

It is no surprise that BCBS is considered one of the safest choices regarding financial stability. The company holds an A+ rating with A.M. Best Rating Services and a superior A+ rating from Fitch. Therefore, Blue Cross Blue Shield is a safe choice for anyone looking for a stable, nationwide insurance carrier.

Pricing

BCBS generally has slightly higher than average rates, but quotes do vary depending on a number of standard variables, such as your chosen state and level of insurance. For example, in Illinois, premiums range from $389 to $565, but in Michigan, you can get insurance for as low as $273 per month.

The great thing about the BCBS platform is that it offers a side-by-side analysis where you can compare plans, either on a desktop device or a dedicated mobile app. The whole process of getting quotes is very quick and after answering a few simple questions you will be provided a list of different options. 

Product Quality

Blue Cross Blue Shield provides individual, family, and group plans as well as Medicare coverage, employee coverage, and short-term insurance. 

The HMO plans are the right choice for saving money in exchange for a limited choice of doctors, while the numerous PPO plans offer more flexibility and a much broader selection of doctors.

With all the BCBS plans, you also get access to a health savings account and a flexible spending account to manage your premiums and deductibles better. Finally, the company offers free fitness, health and wellness programs as well as optional dental and vision coverage.

The BCBS platform itself works flawlessly on mobile and desktop devices and has a number of useful features like online help and the find-a-doctor option. Members can track prescriptions 24/7 and download most of the paperwork directly from the website. They can also get access to a dedicated customer support line.

Aside from being able to contact the support staff, customers can also turn to the company website that offers a section filled to the brim with useful information on the BCBS’s plans and services.  

Customer Satisfaction

The Consumer Affairs rating is 3.8, which is higher than many other insurers. Customers expressed special praise for the online help section of the website, which often answers all of their questions. The online quotation process and the claims process also received notably positive reviews.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaints are below average.

Final Words    

Blue Cross Blue Shield provides a wide range of plans with multiple benefits and optional add-ons so anyone can tailor their coverage around their personal needs. This is not only one of the largest insurance companies globally but also one of the very few carriers to provide this level of quality to customers.

Aetna is one of the oldest and most recognizable brands in the insurance industry. The company was founded way back in 1853 and has since expanded to cover all 50 states.

One of the more obvious things about an established giant like Aetna is its financial muscle, which has allowed this nationwide insurer to stay on top for 150 years. Both A.M. Best and Fitch awarded it with an A. BBB rates the company with an A+, while its NAIC complaint index is just 0.29 - far lower than most competition. 

Pricing

When it comes to pricing, it varies depending on several factors, including age and state of residency. There are also different pricing options, depending on whether you want a PPO or an HMO plan. One minor annoyance with this provider is that the quote process is not as streamlined as with other companies offering similar services. 

Product Quality

Aetna offers range from individual, family, employer to Medicare plans. The number of options here is fantastic and facilitates building a personalized plan tailored to your financial capabilities and the amount of money you can spend on doctor visits each month. 

You also have the option of opening up a health savings account to increase your power over the plan customization and save tax-free money to help meet your deductible. 

Short-term plans are the only feature lacking at Aetna, so if you are between jobs and want to stay covered, this is not an option for you.

For customers who can take advantage of the service, Aetna has a great platform rich in features and resources. The website is a one-stop shop for finding plans and doctors, checking out education programs and deductible levels, and monitoring your care history and health information in real-time.

The same high level of functionality and ease-of-use is available on the mobile app while offering the option to get medical advice from a nurse  24/7. 

Customer Satisfaction

Aetna is consistently recognized for its outstanding customer service experience. It scored a 4 out of 5 rating on Insure.com, with 84% of current policyholders planning to renew their coverage. 

As for the Consumer Affairs reviews, the company received a 3.7 rating based on 503 customer reviews in the past year. Aetna has A+ on BBB, but it is not accredited there. 

Final Words

With an unparalleled degree of experience and a rich offering of health insurance plans, Aetna boasts impressive nationwide insurance coverage, plenty of options to save money, and a stellar mobile app.

The only caveat is the absence of short-term options among Aetna’s insurance plans. Still, for anyone who isn’t affected by that, this company represents one of the best choices available.

UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is the largest healthcare insurer in the world, with a revenue of over $285 billion and 26.5 million customers across the globe. UHC is part of the United HealthGroup, which includes over 100 subsidiary companies and specializes in providing plans for the elderly and underprivileged members of the community.

Financial Strength: A

UHC is among the strongest companies in terms of finances. A.M. Best gave it an A+ rating, BBB rates the company with an A+, and Fitch rates it AA-. The ratings confirm that UnitedHealthcare is viewed as a safe choice by industry professionals across the board.  

Pricing

UHC has slightly above-average premiums, but it is not the priciest option available. Still, there are dramatic variances in quotes depending on a number of factors like geographic location and customer requirements.

For example, average monthly premiums in New York can range between $483 and $1,618 depending on the size of your deductible and other factors such as the age and health bill of those insured.

Thankfully, getting a quote is the easiest and most straightforward process out of all major carriers and requires nothing more than sharing some personal information with the company.

Product Quality 

UnitedHealthcare justifies the high cost of premiums through the quality of service and the vast amount of products it has to offer. UHC also has one of the largest networks of healthcare professionals, with 1.3 million physicians across the US.

This is hugely beneficial to customers, allowing them to choose a strictly in-network plan and feel safe regardless of their location or that of their families. 

The company provides a number of member discounts on items such as Lasik treatments and hearing aids and also has numerous well-being and fitness programs that you can get access to. 

UHC truly shines when it comes to its online platform and member portal, which is among the very best we’ve seen in the industry. There is a wealth of information, downloadable forms, and tools that you can use to find a healthcare professional or track your claims in real-time. 

MyEasyBook feature allows you to set up appointments online, and before you commit to a procedure, you can even use a tool to estimate the costs. UHC also has a mobile app that is easily among the best available and represents one of the most significant steps in the pivot toward virtual healthcare.

Customer Satisfaction

UHC customer ratings differ depending on the region, but the feedback is generally very positive for a company of this size. UnitedHealthcare’s plans and customer service received particular praise, and J.D. Power ranks the company among the most reputable insurance carriers. 

The same above-average score is found on Consumer Affairs, where the company holds a 3.4  rating from 496 customer ratings in the past twelve months. Users are mostly impressed with the website and the new and improved mobile app while praising company employees they interacted with. 

Final Words

Even with slightly expensive premiums, UnitedHealthcare is a company worth your attention. It provides several plans, has lots of optional features, and offers more tools than any other competing platform. There’s also a fantastic mobile app and a wealth of plans, discounts, and well-being programs. As a package, it’s truly hard to beat.

Cigna was formed in 1982, but its roots as a global provider of health services go further back in time. The corporation is the product of a merger between two of the oldest private health insurance companies, INA and CG, which have been operational since 1792 and 1865, respectively.

Today, Cigna employs over 70,000 people around the globe and has a massive annual revenue of more than $160 billion, putting all those invaluable centuries of experience to good use.

Financial Strength: A

Cigna is highly rated regarding financial strength and security. A.M. Best Ratings gives the company an “Excellent” A rating. It is currently unrated at BBB but used to have an A+ rating.

Pricing

The quotes offered at Cigna fall somewhere in the lower-to-average range but will still vary a fair bit depending on your location and other factors.

For example, a 21-year old on the Cigna Connect 7150 plan in Illinois will pay only $268 a month, but someone who is 60 or older and wants a higher-tier Cigna Connect 1000 plan will have to fork out as much as $968 for insurance premiums each month.

Getting a quote from Cigna is relatively quick and easy, requiring only a zip code and other basic information.

Product Quality

The biggest downside to Cigna is that it currently has medical plans for only 12 states, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. 

The lack of coverage not only excludes the majority of the population but also makes it harder for people with family members working or studying in one of the many states not covered by Cigna coverage. For those that can take advantage of the service, however, the company represents one of the finest options available.

Cigna’s coverage options are widely accepted at hospitals and clinics within the available regions. Plans range from PPO to HMO, and HSA (Health Savings Accounts) are also available to further control your premiums and deductibles.

You also have access to a stellar comparison tool that helps you compare all of the company’s packages. It also allows you to search for specific drugs covered by your plan. 

You can pay your bills online and monitor your claims in real-time, whether using the desktop platform or the mobile app. The only thing lacking is short-term health care plans, so you should probably avoid Cigna if you are in between jobs.  

Customer Satisfaction

The support staff is available 24/7 nationwide and has gotten J.D. Power’s highest ranking for years. When looking at customer reviews on Consumer Affairs, Cigna has 3.8 out of 5 stars. The ranking, based on 351 reviews in the past year, is pretty good for such a large company.

Final Words

Born out of a merger between two of the oldest names in the industry, Cigna has grown into a global insurance leader that continues to provide fantastic service in its home country.

With a world-class platform and customer service, and a variety of options to build and compare your insurance plans, it is easily among the companies with the most well-rounded offers.

The only downside is that these services are currently limited to 12 states, but if you live in the areas covered by Cigna, you should consider it when choosing your plan.

Founded in 1961, Humana offers its services in all 50 states and has a network of over one million physicians. Moreover, the insurer is well-known for its pharmacy service that allows fast and secure mail-order prescriptions.

The main advantage of this insurer is the Medicare coverage and very affordable starting plans. Humana’s plans are generally much more affordable than most of its competitors on our list. Hundreds of positive reviews and countless happy consumers speak volumes, but let’s dive deeper and see why this company is so well-regarded.

Financial Strength: A

Like other similar providers we listed, Humana is a reputable and safe place for getting health insurance. The A.M. Best rating is A-, while BBB rates the company’s service with an A+. Humana wouldn’t be on our list if it wasn’t a stable company. Revenue of over $106 billion in 2023 speaks for itself, though -  you have nothing to worry about here.

Pricing

Humana offers below-average premiums. It is probably one of the most affordable insurers in the US. Of course, the amount of money you have to pay depends on various factors, including your area and the type of coverage you have need. The insurer offers HMO, PPO, and PFFS plans. 

To get the quote, you’ll have to visit Humana’s website and click on the Explore plans button to get a quote. To start the search, you need to type in your zip code. Humana will ask you a few questions before they send you a quote.

For starters, you’ll need to choose the type of coverage you want - Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, or Prescription Only. 

Monthly premiums at Humana are some of the most affordable ones around. We asked for a quote for a 40-year adult based in Illinois. The good news is that a monthly premium can be $0 for Gold Plus HMO. However, there are other costs, including copayments and deductibles. For example, a copay for a specialist is $20, meaning that costs can easily increase.

Product Quality

Humana plans are available in all 50 states, Washington, and Puerto Rico. Its vast network of healthcare institutions and employees means that you can get help closest to your home and an in-network plan. 

When it comes to Humana, their plans are as beneficial as they are versatile. You can choose from several products, including group health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, dental and vision insurance. 

Humana doesn’t offer plans for individuals. However, Medicare and Medicaid plans are available for individual purchase, but only if you are qualified for Medicare. Also, Humana Medicaid plans are available only in Kentucky and Florida.

Humana’s group plans are perfect for companies, and Humana’s policies might be the best option if you run a small business, with up to 50 employees.

Customer Satisfaction

Customers say a lot of positive things about this insurer. Consumer Affairs gives Humana 3.4 of 5 stars based on 151 consumer ratings in the last 12 months. Client reviews claim Humana is a great place for seniors and anyone who wants top-notch service.

The insurer is also praised for its mail-order pharmacy service. According to the reviews, this is one of the most important benefits that Humana’s clients get.

Final Words

Humana is among the most affordable companies on the market, providing its services in all 50 states, Washington, and Puerto Rico. It offers a wide range of plans, including Medicare plans, pharmacy, and drug prescription services, family health insurance plans, and more.  

Humana's website states that the company is "committed to delivering quality, affordable healthcare and improving the health and well-being of our members."

The company has several initiatives to help achieve this goal, including providing access to preventive care and screenings, promoting healthy living and active aging, and supporting care coordination. Overall, Humana is a fantastic and affordable provider you should definitely keep on your radar.