Choosing the right health insurance company is an important decision. With so many options to choose from, it can be challenging to find the best health insurance for your needs and budget. This comprehensive guide reviews and rates the Best Rated Health Insurance Companies for 2023 based on plan options, pricing, customer service, and more. Read on to compare the best-rated health insurance companies and find the perfect coverage for you.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Health Insurance Reviews

Health insurance helps pay for medical expenses incurred from illness, injury, or preventative care. Having good health coverage is crucial to protect yourself from unexpected medical costs. When reviewing health insurance companies, key factors to consider include:

Premiums – The monthly amount you pay for your health plan. Premiums vary based on the level of coverage.
Deductibles – The amount you pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in. Many plans have high deductibles now.
Copays and coinsurance – The fixed fees you pay for doctor visits, prescriptions, etc. Coinsurance is a percentage of costs.
Network of providers – The doctors, hospitals and facilities covered in-network by the insurer.
Plan options – Such as HMO, PPO, POS and HDHP. Each has pros and cons.
Customer service – Quality and responsiveness of the insurer when you have questions or claims.

This review compares over 15 Best Rated Health Insurance Companies across these key criteria. We dug into the details of plans, costs and customer satisfaction to rate the best choices for individuals, families and seniors. Read on to find your perfect health plan match!

What are the Best Rated Health Insurance Companies?

When reviewing health insurance providers, we looked at dozens of companies and plans nationwide. After thorough research, we narrowed down the top-rated health insurance for 2023:

1. Blue Cross Blue Shield

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) tops our list with broad provider networks, competitive pricing and strong customer satisfaction across its many state plans. BCBS is made up of over 30 independent companies that operate regionally under the BCBS brand. It generally offers good benefits and low rates.

2. UnitedHealthcare

This insurance giant contracts with over 1.3 million doctors and 6,500 hospitals nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is acclaimed for robust plan options, online resources and preventative health incentives. UHC is a great choice for broad provider access.

3. Cigna

Cigna health plans emphasize whole-person preventative care. They have high customer satisfaction ratings for their affordable rates, wellness programs and responsive customer service. Cigna is a smart choice for holistic coverage.

4. Aetna

Aetna is known for pairing health plans with extra benefits like gym memberships, vision discounts and counseling services. Their prices are competitive, especially for Medicare Advantage. Aetna offers well-rounded coverage.

5. Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser uniquely combines insurance with their network of hospitals and doctors. This integrated system often leads to lower costs. But it may mean changing providers. Kaiser is a cost-effective HMO choice in the states they serve.

6. Humana

Humana has cultivated a strong reputation in affordable Medicare plans, including Medicare Advantage, Part D prescription coverage and Medicare Supplements. They also offer plans through the Marketplace and employer group coverage.

7. Cigna

What Factors Were Considered in the Health Insurance Reviews?

To generate our health insurance company ratings and reviews, we looked at several key factors for the top providers:

Premiums and Costs

Monthly premiums are a major consideration when choosing a health plan. We compared pricing for individual, family, employer-based and Medicare plans across providers. Out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and prescription fees were also reviewed.

Plan Options and Coverage

The types of insurance plans available from each carrier were compared. More options for traditional PPOs, HMOs, HSAs and EPOs gives consumers flexibility. Breadth of coverage for services like mental health, prescriptions and urgent care was also assessed.

Provider Network and Accessibility

Having health providers that accept your insurance is crucial. We examined the size and availability of provider networks for each insurer. Geographic service areas were also reviewed. More coverage nationally and in local areas is better.

Customer Satisfaction and Reviews

User experiences can highlight strengths and weaknesses of insurance companies. We consulted scoring and reviews from objective organizations like JD Power. Reader feedback from Consumer Reports provided real-world insights.

Online Experience and Apps

Insurer websites and mobile apps can help or hinder accessing benefits and services. The digital experience offered by each health insurance provider was compared. Tools like cost estimators and provider finders can improve consumer experiences.

By evaluating these key criteria, we generated our rankings and recommendations for the best health insurance companies and plans to consider enrolling in for 2023 coverage. Keep reading for an in-depth look at our top recommended health Insurance companies.

Detailed Health Insurance Company Reviews

Now that you’ve seen our top overall picks, let’s take a deep dive into detailed reviews of the health insurance providers that made our best-of list. We’ll examine plan options and rates, provider networks, customer service rankings and more for each company.

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Review

BCBS is one of the largest health insurance brands in America, made up of over 30 independent companies that operate regionally. BCBS insures 106 million members, or about 1-in-3 Americans. Pros of BCBS plans include:

Broad provider networks – Over 96% of hospitals and 90% of doctors participate nationally. Provider access is a key BCBS strength.
Wide variety of plans – Choices include HMOs, PPOs, HSAs and more. Open access plans have no primary care requirement.
Strong customer service reputation – BCBS companies score well on claims processing accuracy and call center experiences.
Discounts and wellness programs – Most BCBS plans offer perks like gym benefits, vision discounts, and free preventative health screenings.
Competitive pricing – Premium costs are often lower compared to leading insurers like UnitedHealthcare with similar plan features.

Cons to consider include regional variability and rules differing between Blue Cross companies. Overall BCBS offers affordable pricing and good, reliable coverage through their broad provider networks. They are a smart choice for many health insurance buyers.

UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Review

As one of the largest national insurers, UnitedHealthcare has the most expansive coverage footprint. Key advantages of UnitedHealthcare plans:

Largest networks – UHC contracts with over 1.3 million medical providers and 6,500 hospitals nationwide. Great coverage breadth.
Top preventative care – UHC covers 100% of recommended preventative screenings and immunizations without cost sharing in all plans.
Online resources – The website and app make it easy to find providers, estimate costs, view claims and access wellness tools.
Plan variety – Choices range from HDHPs and HSAs to traditional co-pay plans. PPO networks include over 1 million doctors.
Good marks for service – UHC performs well above average in surveys of customer service experience and claims processing.

Potential downsides are high-deductible plans push more costs onto members before coverage kicks in. But overall UnitedHealthcare is a sound option for the widest selection of providers and plan designs.

Cigna Health Insurance Review

Cigna takes a whole-person approach to health by covering medical, dental, vision and mental/behavioral health under one plan. Pros of Cigna plans include:

Affordable prices – Cigna's rates are competitive for individuals, families and employers. They offer discounts if you have a healthy BMI.
Strong preventative care focus – $0 annual check-ups, immunizations, cancer screenings and lab work along with wellness coaching.
Range of plans available – Offerings include PPOs, HMOs, EPOs, POS plans, Medicare Advantage and HSAs from Cigna.
Excellent customer satisfaction – Cigna earns outstanding marks for communication, efficient claims handling and customer service.
Online cost savings – Cigna members get access to discounted prescription prices at over 60,000 pharmacies nationwide.

Potential cons are limited provider networks in some regions. But Cigna's affordable pricing and preventative health focus earn them high marks.

Aetna Health Insurance Review

In addition to comprehensive medical coverage, Aetna stands out for supplementing plans with extra health programs and services. Key features include:

Affordable Care Act exchange plans – Aetna offers competitively-priced individual and family plans on the Marketplace.
Gym benefits – Many non-employer plans include a fitness center membership or discounts on home workout equipment.
Vision discounts: Save on LASIK surgery, eye exams and eyewear through partner discounts and rebates.
Behavioral health support: Plans may cover counseling sessions and offer services like emotional wellness coaching.
Simple online tools: The website and mobile app make it easy to find care, view claims and estimates costs.

While provider networks are smaller than Best Rated Health Insurance, Aetna still offers solid plan options at reasonable price points enhanced by nice extra perks.

Kaiser Permanente Insurance Review

As one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit health networks, Kaiser uniquely blends insurance coverage with their own hospitals and physicians. Pros of Kaiser plans:

Affordable prices: Kaiser’s
integrated system helps reduce costs for members. Rates are competitive.
WIDE????? Scope of care: – Coverage includes medical, dental, vision and mental health through Kaiser’s statewide provider networks and facilities.
Easy referrals: PC and specialist referrals are streamlined since all doctors are within the same system.
Online convenience: You can email your doctor, schedule appointments, refill Rxs and more through the Kaiser website and app.
Top member satisfaction: Kaiser earns exceptionally high customer satisfaction marks for quality, services and cost.

The main downside is that using out-of-network providers is limited or not covered. But Kaiser’s affordable prices and convenient care coordination are big advantages.

Humana Insurance Review

Best known for Medicare plans, Humana also offers employer and Marketplace medical policies. Standout features include:

Top-rated Medicare plans – Humana earns high marks for their Medicare Advantage plan benefits, affordability and flexibility.
Prescription drug coverage – Humana’s Medicare Part D prescription plans offer competitive rates with broad formulary coverage.
Supplemental coverage – For older adults, they offer Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans to help fill Original Medicare coverage gaps.
Care programs – Chronic condition management, home health assistance and fitness benefits help members prevent and manage health issues.
Nationwide reach – Humana has a broad network encompassing over 1 million medical providers across all 50 states.

Humana is an especially strong choice for seniors but also worth considering for individual, family and employer health plans.

Cigna Health Insurance Review

Cigna takes a whole-person approach to health by covering medical, dental, vision and mental/behavioral health under one plan. Pros of Cigna plans include:

Affordable prices – Cigna's rates are competitive for individuals, families and employers. They offer discounts if you have a healthy BMI.
Strong preventative care focus – $0 annual check-ups, immunizations, cancer screenings and lab work along with wellness coaching.
Range of plans available – Offerings include PPOs, HMOs, EPOs, POS plans, Medicare Advantage and HSAs from Cigna.
Excellent customer satisfaction – Cigna earns outstanding marks for communication, efficient claims handling and customer service.
Online cost savings – Cigna members get access to discounted prescription prices at over 60,000 pharmacies nationwide.

Potential cons are limited provider networks in some regions. But Cigna's affordable pricing and preventative health focus earn them high marks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Health Insurance

When choosing health coverage, you likely have lots of questions about how plans work, what's covered and what key terms mean. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help explain the basics of health insurance plans:

What is a health insurance premium?

The premium is the monthly amount you pay for your health insurance plan. Premium costs vary based on factors like the level of coverage, deductible amounts, copays/coinsurance and add-on benefits. Average individual premiums range from $300 – $500 per month.

What is a deductible and how does it work?

The deductible is what you pay out-of-pocket for covered care before your insurance starts sharing costs. For example, a $2,000 deductible means you pay up to $2,000 total for services during the year before coverage kicks in. Many plans now have high deductibles.

What is the difference between an HMO and PPO?

HMO plans require you to select a primary care doctor who coordinates care through the plan's network. PPOs let you visit any in-network doctor without a referral. Out-of-network care is limited with an HMO versus a PPO plan.

What are copays, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums?

Copays are flat fees for doctor visits and prescriptions, like $25 per office visit. Coinsurance is paying a percentage of the cost, for example 20% for surgery. Plans cap what you pay annually through out-of-pocket maximums.

What health services are typically covered by insurance?

Most plans cover hospital stays, preventative care, doctor visits, mental health services, maternity care, prescriptions, emergency room care and surgeries. Make sure to review what is and isn't covered by any plan you consider.

How do I pick the best health insurance plan for me?

Look for a plan with affordable premiums, low out-of-pocket costs and a deductible you can meet if needed. Also make sure your doctors are in-network, prescriptions are covered and total costs fit within your budget.

Choosing the Best Rated Health Insurance Company

As this health insurance company review roundup illustrates, there are many excellent carriers and plans to choose from. The right insurer for your needs will offer an optimal mix of reasonable rates, good coverage, top-rated service and convenient access to providers and benefits.

While costs are a key decision factor, also consider the plan details and reputation of insurers as well. Comparing health insurance companies based on independent consumer reviews and ratings can help guide you.

Focus on identifying carriers that are rated highly both for affordability and member satisfaction. Dig into the specifics of deductibles, copays, coinsurance rates, prescription formularies and exclusions.

Make sure a plan’s network includes your current healthcare providers or offers enough flexibility to switch if needed. Ultimately, choosing coverage from one of the best rated health insurance companies featured here will set you up for a great member experience.

Conclusion

Finding the best health insurance to meet your coverage and budget needs has never been more important. We hope these unbiased reviews and ratings help you evaluate Best Rated Health Insurance Companies for your situation.

Comparing plan costs, benefits, network access and insurer reputation will lead you to great coverage. Partnering with one of these highly rated health insurance providers will bring you quality care and peace of mind.