Health insurance is a form of insurance where the insurance company pays the medical costs of the insured person in cases the insured becomes sick due to covered causes of the insurance policy, or due to accidents.
There are two types of health insurance companies: group health insurance companies and individual health insurance companies. The group health insurance companies handle health insurance for large groups of people, like the employees of a company. The individual health insurance companies handle health insurance for self-employed people and professionals.
Health Insurance Companies
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the largest health insurance providers in the nation. An association of independent companies, it can offer a larger variety of plans and benefits than many of the providers we reviewed. While the exact details and service vary by specific location, it's still the best health insurance company and worth including on your list as you price out plans.
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Humana
Humana is only available in about half the United States, but we think it's one of the best health insurance providers because of its good number of plan options, inexpensive prices and strong wellness programs that encourage a lifetime of health. It does not offer short-term coverage plans but does have plans that include home health. Further, it seeks to develop a sense of community with its guidance centers. While we suggest you comparison shop at least three or more health insurance companies to find the best one for you, Humana should be on that list if you live in one of the states it covers.
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente has a large system of doctors and medical facilities, but it is limited to eight states and the District of Columbia. Further, it does not allow for care outside the Kaiser Permanente system. As with all health insurance, prices and benefits vary by the individual, and in this case, it's important to check the availability and quality of care of Kaiser doctors and facilities in your local area. It is nonetheless one of the best health insurances overall, because within the system, the choice of health insurance plans is good, and the prices are well below average, according to our evaluation. Overall, it is definitely worth putting on your list of healthcare providers to explore.
Aetna
Aetna has been in the insurance trade since the 1890s and continues to provide quality programs today. In addition to Affordable Care Act-approved plans, it offers supplemental insurance for specific cases, from vision to critical care, although it lacks short-term plans for coverage gaps. While the quote feature had some problems that made it more difficult than the others we tested, it still isn't difficult to get a quote, and the lower average premiums make it worth checking out.
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is a large nationwide health insurance provider with plans to cover your major medical insurance needs and assist you in maintaining overall wellness. While its plans are in general more expensive than those of other health insurance providers we reviewed, it offers strong online tools to help you manage your account and other aspects of your health care.
