Blue Cross Blue Shield is the best deal and gets good reviews.
Blue Cross Blue Shield is our choice for the best general health insurance company because it has many great features, such as a large network of providers, plans that are affordable, and a lot of plan options.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) set national standards for health insurance plans. However, when it comes to quality and value, some health insurance companies are better than others.
Nine major health insurance companies were judged on 40 factors, including cost, plan quality and customer satisfaction, plan benefits, state availability, dental coverage, types of plans available, and ACA metal levels available. This helped us find the best health insurance companies for the 2024 coverage year.
We used yearly ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) to check the quality of the plan and make sure customers were happy. The NCQA is a private, non-profit group that checks health plans to see how well they care for patients, how happy their patients are, and how hard they are trying to get better.
Best Health Insurance Companies in the USA
- Best Overall Health Insurance in the USA: Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Highest Quality Plans Health Insurance in the USA : Kaiser Permanente
- Most Health Management Programs Health Insurance in the USA : Oscar
- Best for Same-Day Care Health Insurance in the USA : Aetna CVS Health
Highlight Table of Best Health Insurance Companies in the USA
| Health Insurance Company | Highlighted Features |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | – Best overall health insurance company – Large network of providers – Affordable plans – Various plan options – Highest total cost rating – Silver plans offer best value |
| Kaiser Permanente | – Highest quality plans – Affordable rates – Excellent customer satisfaction – Lowest premiums across various age groups and metal tiers |
| Oscar | – Most health management programs – Lowest copays – Comprehensive array of medical management services – Offers step awards for progress towards health goals |
| Aetna CVS Health | – Best for same-day care – Provides MinuteClinic services – $0 plan premiums with tax credits possible – Offers $25 quarterly reimbursement for wellness goods – Expanded bronze, silver, and gold metal tiers |
Blue Cross Blue Shield
BEST OVERALL
Why We Picked It
Our top choice for the finest overall health insurance company is Blue Cross Blue Shield because of its high ratings and range of good, reasonably priced health insurance policies.
Advantages & Cons
Advantages
- highest total cost rating
- comparatively good quality and scores for customer satisfaction
- vast supplier network a wide range of metal levels and plan kinds
- Silver plans with the best value
Cons
- Plans are different in every state
Summary
Blue Cross Our all-around favorite is Blue Shield since it performs well in many areas. First off, it received the highest total cost score possible from us, which is based on data on premiums, deductibles, and copays for different age groups and metal levels. According to the prices we obtained, BCBS also provides the highest value for well-liked silver plans and the best value for those over 60. Therefore, this might be the provider for you if you fall within that age range or are seeking a medium level of coverage.
Among the insurance companies we looked at, BCBS has the second-highest average NCQA rating of 3.59 out of 5 stars. We also appreciate the wide range of offerings. If you don’t want to be limited to in-network providers, BCBS provides point-of-service (POS), preferred provider organization (PPO), and exclusive provider organization (EPO) plans in addition to health maintenance organization (HMO) plans. Additionally, you have a choice between catastrophic coverage and four metal levels (bronze, silver, gold, and platinum).
Plans are offered across the country, while regional variations exist, and not all locations have access to Marketplace plans. With 1.7 million providers, BCBS does, however, have one of the biggest provider networks overall. Blue Cross Blue Shield is our top pick in that category and is a great option for independent contractors as well. (Note: Since Anthem is a significant rival of BCBS in several markets, we did not include it in our assessment of BCBS.)
Kaiser Permanente
HIGHEST QUALITY PLANS
- Availability: 8 states and the District of Columbia
- NCQA Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Additional Features: Lowest premiums across 3 age groups and 2 metal tiers
Why We Picked It
Because of its affordable rates, excellent customer happiness, and NCQA quality rating, Kaiser Permanente is our choice for the highest quality plans.
Advantages & Cons
Advantages
- highest ratings for client satisfaction
- lowest rates across a range of metal levels and age groupings
Cons
- Most plans are HMOs
- Limited availability
Summary
Of all the providers we looked at, Kaiser Permanente’s plans received the best member experience ratings. The NCQA has given Kaiser’s plans an overall rating of 4.2 stars. Additionally, the business won and placed first in a number of regions according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Commercial Health Plan Study.
Furthermore, Kaiser provided the lowest premiums for those aged 25, 35, and 45, as well as the two metal tiers (bronze and gold) that we examined.
Only eight states and the District of Columbia offer Kaiser Permanente, and the insurer’s HMO plans limit access to in-network physicians. Kaiser Permanente provides catastrophic coverage in addition to four metal levels. If you desire an HMO in a state that the insurer covers, you will therefore have options.
3. Oscar
MOST HEALTH MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
- Availability: 18 states
- NCQA Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars
- Additional Features: Good copays
Why We Picked It
Oscar is our top choice for health management plans because it has the most benefits and the lowest copays.
Advantages & Cons
Advantages
- The most health management programs are offered.
- The best copays for doctor visits for both silver and bronze plans
- Step awards of up to $75 a year
Cons
- Not accessible everywhere
- low scores for patient satisfaction
Summary
Oscar is a pioneer in preventative health care, providing the most comprehensive array of medical management services of any provider we looked into, in addition to a unique initiative that pays you for making progress toward a healthier future.
Pregnancy, low back pain, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, asthma, heart disease, and pain management are among the programs offered. Out of all the insurers we polled, it was the only one with a weight loss program.
Oscar also offers the lowest doctor copays, often at zero dollars. Its bronze and silver plans, in particular, have incredibly low out-of-pocket expenses.
Most plans include free virtual primary and urgent care, and achieving your annual walking step goals can earn you anywhere from $25 to $100 in Amazon gift cards.
Oscar offers all metal tiers save platinum and offers PPOs, HMOs, and EPOs, albeit not all plan types are offered everywhere.
However, Oscar isn’t available in every state, so not everyone can use it. Furthermore, you will need to go elsewhere for adult dental care, as Oscar does not provide it.
It should be noted that the NCQA only gave Oscar’s ideas an average rating of 2.8 stars. Comparatively speaking to other companies, these ratings show comparatively poor member experiences.
Aetna CVS Health
BEST FOR SAME-DAY CARE
- Availability: 12 states
- NCQA Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Additional Features: MinuteClinic
Why We Picked It
The greatest health insurance company for same-day care for mild ailments is Aetna CVS Health, which offers MinuteClinic services for free or at a discounted rate seven days a week.
Advantages & Cons
Advantages
- provides MinuteClinic services for free or at a minimal cost.
- $0 plan premiums with tax credits are possible with a 3.5-star average NCQA rating.
Cons
- No disastrous schemes
- does not provide dental coverage for adults supplementary
Summary
MinuteClinic by Aetna provides quick access to affordable or free services. Make an online appointment to visit your neighborhood MinuteClinic seven days a week. A prescription for a drug that you will pick up on-site during your visit may be given based on your health needs. This might be a useful substitute in some circumstances for more costly (and time-consuming) ER or urgent care visits.
Your premium may be waived entirely if you purchase your plan through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace and are eligible for the premium tax credit. For this reason, Aetna is among the top providers of health insurance for independent contractors. Only the federally mandated Essential Health Benefits are offered by Aetna under its federal exchange plans; any additional benefits are not eligible for tax credits. Thus, ensure that you are aware of what the plan entails.
Additionally, Aetna offers a $25 quarterly reimbursement for wellness goods under the CVS brand.
It provides plans for HMOs, PPOs, EPOs, and HMO-POS, but only in expanded bronze, silver, and gold metal tiers. Out of all the insurers we surveyed, their bronze pricing was the second lowest. Regretfully, it’s among the few providers that we polled that didn’t have catastrophic insurance.
The NCQA gave Aetna’s plans an average rating of 3.5 stars out of 5, which is a higher rating than the 3.4 it received the previous year. However, the company does not provide adult dental coverage, and its ACA plans are not accessible everywhere in the country.
The Final Verdict
The drugs and services you require covered by your plan, as well as the plans available in your state, will determine your possibilities. Blue Cross Blue Shield, on the other hand, might be a good choice if you value efficiently run plans and pleasant interactions with other members. Not only does it have high ratings and a variety of plans, but it also offers fantastic value. If you’re looking for an HMO and Kaiser Permanente is in your area, you won’t find a better option than Kaiser Permanente in terms of plan ratings, pricing, or customer satisfaction history.
Consider Oscar if you are looking for a business with affordable copays and a variety of health management services. For those seeking the low prices and ease of CVS MinuteClinic services, Aetna is a great option.
Read More: Top 5 Travel Insurance Offers Cancellation for Any Reason in 2024
How to Choose the Most Reliable Health Insurance Policy
Finding the Appropriate Amount of Insurance
Tiers at the metal level show how you and the insurance carrier share costs. Bronze, silver, gold, and platinum are among them. Plans get more expensive and more comprehensive as the metal gains value; platinum has the highest premiums and covers the greatest costs, while bronze has the lowest premiums and the largest copays and deductibles. The rates for catastrophic coverage are usually inexpensive, but the deductibles are often large. To choose the best plan type for you, consider factors like your age and medical history before making a health insurance purchase.
For instance, unless you are in extremely dire financial circumstances, only individuals under 30 are eligible for catastrophic health policies. The restricted coverage can be more appropriate for people who don’t have any chronic medical issues.
FAQ
1. When Is Health Insurance Open Enrollment?
Ans:- Open enrollment for 2024 coverage is Nov. 1, 2023, to Jan. 15, 2024. If you are lawfully present in the US, not incarcerated, and without Medicare, you can buy coverage on the Marketplace. Enroll and pay your first premium by December 15 to start coverage January 1. If you enroll and pay your first premium, coverage begins February 1.
Ans:- The premium tax credit lowers premiums for persons earning 100% to 400% of the federal poverty threshold.
Estimate your income when browsing for plans to determine eligibility. If your state has expanded Medicaid and your income is below 138% of the federal poverty level, you may qualify.
Ans:- Create a Marketplace or state Marketplace account to enroll in an ACA plan. Then complete the application, which asks about your home, employers, income, and health insurance. Find out if you qualify for financial aid now. Next, pick a health plan and pay your subscription.