1. United Health Care (12.75% market share)
About :
United HealthCare (UHC) was founded in 1977, and currently serves all 50 U.S. States. UHC is the top health insurance company in terms of market share. A diversified health and well-being company, UnitedHealth Group’s core capabilities are clinical expertise, advanced technology, and data and health information.
Highlights (Pros) :
- Provides medicare plans, snall business plans, individual and family plans, dental plans, short term health insurance, medicaid plans.
- Best for online care.
- Highest overall experience according to J.D. Power ranking, and ranked “among the best” health insurance companies.
Lowlights (Cons) :
- Slow in processing and approving claims.
2. Aetna (5.54% market share)
About :
Aetna was founded in 1853 and one of the oldest insurance companies, and currently serves all 50 U.S. States. Named on Fortune’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, Aetna provides covered to about 22.1 million people. They provide medicare, medicaid, student health and international plans.
Highlights (Pros) :
- Ranked as “better than most” for J.D. Power Member Satisfaction Index Ratings
- Best for employer based plans
- Numerous Wellness programs
Lowlights (Cons) :
- App is slow and not intutive for initiating claims.
3. Kaiser Permanente (7.37% market share)
About :
Kaiser Permanente was founded in 1945 in Oakland California and has grown to become the largest managed care organization in the US. They provide med-cal, medicaid, individual and family, medicare,small business and employer based plans.
Highlights (Pros) :
- They offer allergy, audiology, cardiology, dermatology, oncology, hospice, laboratory, nephrology, occupational therapy, pain management, pediatric rehabilitation, and pharmacy services.
- According to J.D. Power rankings, Kaiser ranks the highest in six regions: Maryland, South Atlantic, California, Virginia, Northwest and Colorado.
- Best for health savings account HSA options.
- Great customer service.
Lowlights (Cons) :
- Limited coverage.
4. Anthem (6.07% market share)
About :
Founded in 2004, Anthem is relatively new and the largest for-profit managed health care company within the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, placing it among what some might consider the best health insurance companies.
Highlights (Pros) :
- They offer wide range of related specialty products and other services including flexible spending accounts and COBRA administration.
- Anthem BlueCross BlueShield (Blue Card) in Massachusetts was ranked “among the best” for J.D. Power Member Satisfaction Index Rankings.
- Great customer service.
Lowlights (Cons) :
- There are numerous complaints in getting medical procedures approved, coverage denials with limited PPO choices.
5. Humana (5.46% market share)
About :
Founded in 1961, Humana was a small nursing home company, but twenty years later broke into the health insurance business. They offer medicare advantage plans, prescription drug plans and medicare supplement plans.
Highlights (Pros) :
- Humana has been ranked #1 in Fortune’s “Social Responsibility” category.
- They provide personalized, simplified, whole-person healthcare experiences.
Lowlights (Cons) :
- They are not open 24/7 and only available from 8am-8pm daily.
6. Cigna (2.49% market share)
About :
Founded in 1982, Cigna traces their roots back 200 years with the Insurance Company of North America (INA). Its insurance plans and products include healthcare insurance for individuals and families, dental insurance plans, Medicare plans, Medicare supplemental plans, other supplemental insurance, and international health insurance.
Highlights (Pros) :
- Ranked “among the best” in Florida for J.D. Power’s Member Satisfaction Index Rankings.
- Best for telehealth care.
- Out of network is available without a referral.
Lowlights (Cons) :
- Limited coverage.
7. Blue Cross Blue Shield (1.69% market share)
About :
Founded in 1929 and setting it apart from the other top health insurance companies on this list, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is actually comprised of 36 independent and locally operated health insurance companies. You may consider BCBS to be among the best health insurance companies, with 106 million plan members insured under this umbrella company. They offer long term coverage, short term travel and specialist solutions.
Highlights (Pros) :
- Ranked “among the best” for J.D. Power Member Satisfaction Index Rankings.
- Best large provider network.
Lowlights (Cons) :
- There are numerous complaints in getting medical procedures approved, coverage denials with limited PPO choices.
8. Wellcare (1.28% market share)
About :
Founded in 1985, Wellcare specializes in government-sponsored health care products like Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans. If you’re in the market for government-sponsored health care, then you’ll have a good chance finding a plan with quality care from one of Wellcare’s 571 thousand contracted healthcare providers.
WellCare Health Plans, Inc. focuses on delivering government-sponsored managed care services to individuals, families, children, and seniors with complex medical needs primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans, as well as individuals in the health insurance marketplace.
Highlights (Pros) :
- Cheapest rates with guranteed coverages.
Lowlights (Cons) :
- Limited options based on elligibiity criteria.
Something to consider before shopping for Health insurance.....
1. Open enrollment season - this is the only time in a year when you are elligible for change of coverages except when you have a life changing event.
2. Premiums - the amount you pay monthly.
3. Out of pocket expenses - this is the amout you pay including deductibles, co-pay.
4. Prescription drug coverage.
5. Health savings account (HSA) elligibility.
6. In and out of network for doctors, hospitals and clinics.