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Best Health Insurance Companies Of December 2022

Fact Checked

Amy Danise
editor

Fact Checked

Updated: Dec 1, 2022, 8:52am

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Health insurance is vital to your well-being and your wallet, but comparing health insurance companies isn’t straightforward.

We evaluated large, small and regional health insurance providers to find the best health insurance companies across the country. See our top picks below.

Read more

Best Health Insurance Companies—Large Providers


Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente
5.0
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Availability

8 states and Washington, D.C.

Provider network

39 hospitals and 734 medical facilities with 23,656 physicians

Telehealth offered?

Yes

Kaiser Permanente
Learn More

On Healthcare Marketplace's Website

Availability

8 states and Washington, D.C.

Provider network

39 hospitals and 734 medical facilities with 23,656 physicians

Telehealth offered?

Yes

Details

Kaiser Permanente is a nonprofit organization that combines health insurance and the delivery of health services through integrated care so members get a “coordinated experience.” In addition to hospitals operated by Kaiser, its network includes doctors, pharmacies, labs, imaging and other services. This integrated approach has resulted in a very low level of complaints from members.

Kaiser Permanente is available in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and Washington, D.C.

Kaiser’s Thrive Local is a referral system that connects members to non-medical and socioeconomic services they may need, such as services for a disability.

Cost examples for Silver plan
Member profile Monthly cost for Kaiser Silver plan in Oregon
Child age 0-14 $221
Child age 18 $221
Adult individual age 21 $348
Adult individual age 27 $365
Adult individual age 30 $395
Adult individual age 40 $445
Adult individual age 50 $622
Adult individual age 60 $945
Couple age 21 $696
Couple age 30 $791
Couple age 40 $890
Couple age 50 $1,244
Couple age 60 $1,890
Couple age 21 + 1 child $917
Couple age 30 + 1 child $1,012
Couple age 40 + 1 child $1,111
Couple age 50 + 1 child $1,465
Couple age 21 + 2 children $1,138
Couple age 30 + 2 children $1,233
Couple age 40 + 2 children $1,332
Couple age 50 + 2 children $1,686
Couple age 21 + 3 or more children $1,359
Couple age 30 + 3 or more children $1,454
Couple age 40 + 3 or more children $1,553
Couple age 50 + 3 or more children $1,907
Individual age 21 + 1 child $569
Individual age 30 + 1 child $616
Individual age 40 + 1 child $666
Individual age 50 + 1 child $843
Individual age 21 + 2 children $790
Individual age 30 + 2 children $837
Individual age 40 + 2 children $887
Individual age 50 + 2 children $1,064
Individual age 21 + 3 or more children $1,011
Individual age 30 + 3 or more children $1,058
Individual age 40 + 3 or more children $1,108
Individual age 50 + 3 or more children $1,285

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Blue Cross Blue Shield
4.5
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Availability

50 states and Washington, D.C.

Provider network

Varies by Blue Cross Blue Shield plan

Telehealth offered?

Yes

Blue Cross Blue Shield
Learn More

On Healthcare Marketplace's Website

Availability

50 states and Washington, D.C.

Provider network

Varies by Blue Cross Blue Shield plan

Telehealth offered?

Yes

Details

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is made up of 34 independent and locally operated health insurance companies. Members of certain BCBS plans can join Blue365 for free health and wellness discounts. There are discounts for fitness products, such as Fitbit, hearing and vision, such as Target Optical, and meal boxes from Freshly.

Members also get access to doctors and hospitals in more than 200 countries through Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core.

Forbes Advisor’s analysis of all Blue Cross Blue Shield plans found that member complaints are generally very low. Notable exceptions to this are in California, where Blue Shield of California has a complaint level that’s more than four times the industry average. Also, Anthem Blue Cross in California has twice as many complaints as the industry average. And Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire garners almost five times the average number of complaints.

But for the most part, BCBS health insurance plans around the country deliver customer happiness and a large provider network.

Cost examples for Silver plan
Member profile Monthly cost for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Silver plan
Child age 0-14 $338
Child age 18 $403
Adult individual age 21 $441
Adult individual age 27 $463
Adult individual age 30 $501
Adult individual age 40 $564
Adult individual age 50 $788
Adult individual age 60 $1,198
Couple age 21 $883
Couple age 30 $1,002
Couple age 40 $1,128
Couple age 50 $1,577
Couple age 60 $2,396
Couple age 21 + 1 child $1,221
Couple age 30 + 1 child $1,340
Couple age 40 + 1 child $1,466
Couple age 50 + 1 child $1,914
Couple age 21 + 2 children $1,558
Couple age 30 + 2 children $1,677
Couple age 40 + 2 children $1,804
Couple age 50 + 2 children $2,252
Couple age 21 + 3 or more children $1,896
Couple age 30 + 3 or more children $2,015
Couple age 40 + 3 or more children $2,141
Couple age 50 + 3 or more children $2,590
Individual age 21 + 1 child $779
Individual age 30 + 1 child $839
Individual age 40 + 1 child $902
Individual age 50 + 1 child $1,126
Individual age 21 + 2 children $1,117
Individual age 30 + 2 children $1,176
Individual age 40 + 2 children $1,239
Individual age 50 + 2 children $1,464
Individual age 21 + 3 or more children $1,454
Individual age 30 + 3 or more children $1,514
Individual age 40 + 3 or more children $1,577
Individual age 50 + 3 or more children $1,801

UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare
4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Availability

49 states and D.C. (not available in New York), including 18 states in the Affordable Care Act marketplace

Provider network

1.3 million physicians and care professionals and 6,500 hospitals and care facilities across the U.S.

Telehealth offered

Yes

UnitedHealthcare
Learn More

On UnitedHealthcare's Website

Availability

49 states and D.C. (not available in New York), including 18 states in the Affordable Care Act marketplace

Provider network

1.3 million physicians and care professionals and 6,500 hospitals and care facilities across the U.S.

Telehealth offered

Yes

Details

UnitedHealthcare, the biggest health insurer in the country with over 26 million members, offers insurance coverage in nearly every state. That includes plans in 18 states through the Affordable Care Act marketplace: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

Beyond ACA marketplace plans, UnitedHealthcare also offers coverage through employer-based plans, Medicare, Medicaid, short-term health insurance and supplemental insurance, including critical illness insurance.

Some UnitedHealthcare plans offer additional benefits, including $0 primary care physician visits and copays, unlimited virtual visits, adult vision and dental and prescription drug delivery.

Cost examples for Silver plan
Health insurance plan member UnitedHealthcare average nationwide monthly cost for Silver plan
Child age 0-14 $291
Child age 18 $343
Adult individual age 21 $388
Adult individual age 27 $406
Adult individual age 30 $440
Adult individual age 40 $495
Adult individual age 50 $692
Adult individual age 60 $1,052
Couple age 21 $775
Couple age 30 $880
Couple age 40 $991
Couple age 50 $1,385
Couple age 60 $2,104
Couple+1 child, age 21 $1,067
Couple+1 child, age 30 $1,171
Couple+1 child, age 40 $1,316
Couple+1 child, age 50 $1,676
Couple+2 children, age 21 $1,358
Couple+2 children, age 30 $1,463
Couple+2 children, age 40 $1,573
Couple+2 children, age 50 $1,967
Couple+3 or more Children, age 21 $1,649
Couple+3 or more Children, age 30 $1,754
Couple+3 or more Children, age 40 $1,865
Couple+3 or more Children, age 50 $2,259
Individual+1 child, age 21 $679
Individual+1 child, age 30 $731
Individual+1 child, age 40 $787
Individual+1 child, age 50 $984
Individual+2 children, age 21 $970
Individual+2 children, age 30 $1,023
Individual+2 children, age 40 $1,078
Individual+2 children, age 50 $1,275
Individual+3 or more children, age 21 $1,262
Individual+3 or more children, age 30 $1,314
Individual+3 or more children, age 40 $1,369
Individual+3 or more children, age 50 $1,566

Company Forbes Advisor Rating Availability LEARN MORE
Kaiser Permanente 5.0 5-removebg-preview 8 states and D.C. Learn More On Healthcare Marketplace's Website
Blue Cross Blue Shield 4.5 4.5-removebg-preview-1 50 states and D.C. Learn More On Healthcare Marketplace's Website
UnitedHealthcare 4.0 4-removebg-preview-2 49 states and D.C. (not available in New York) Learn More On UnitedHealthcare's Website
Aetna 3.5 3.5-removebg-preview 50 states and D.C. Learn More On Healthcare Marketplace's Website
Cigna 3.5 3.5-removebg-preview 13 states Learn More On Healthcare Marketplace's Website
Molina Healthcare 2.5 2.5-removebg-preview-e1625128868641 14 states and D.C. Learn More On Healthcare Marketplace's Website
Oscar Health 2.0 2-removebg-preview 20 states
Bright HealthCare 1.0 1__1_-removebg-preview 17 states

Best Health Insurance Companies—Small and Regional Providers

Many health insurance companies operate regionally or in only one state, but they can still provide exceptional service. See ratings below for these smaller health insurance companies.

View Details for Each Provider


What Is Health Insurance?

Health insurance is a contract that requires an insurer to pay some or all of a person’s medical expenses in exchange for a monthly premium. “It’s to prevent you from hitting financial ruin should you run into an emergency,” says Molly Moore, co-founder and chief health plan officer at health insurance start-up Decent. “Some people get health insurance because they know they have ongoing health care issues that need to be taken care of, and some people get health insurance because they’re scared of something that could happen that they can’t plan for,” she says.

Going without health insurance coverage poses a risk to both your potential to get care and an even bigger risk to your personal finances, explains Noah Lang, chief executive officer and co-founder of Stride Health, a benefits platform for independent workers. People who aren’t insured (or who are under-insured) tend to be hesitant to get care, which can risk their health, he adds.

People who have health insurance are often more likely to go to the doctor when they need to because they know what it will cost, says Katie Roders Turner, executive director of the Family Healthcare Foundation in Tampa Bay, Florida. They tend to follow up on medical concerns their doctors flag, such as high blood pressure, before they turn into bigger problems, and they’re more likely to obtain necessary prescription drugs since they’re available at a more affordable rate.

Health Insurance Coverage

All health insurance plans sold on the federal marketplace are compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), meaning they cover a set of 10 categories of services. These essential benefits that must be covered include:

  • Outpatient care
  • Emergency services
  • Hospitalization, such as for surgery and/or overnight stays
  • Pregnancy, maternity and newborn care before and after birth
  • Mental health care and substance use disorder services
  • Prescription drugs
  • Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices for those with disabilities, injuries or chronic conditions
  • Laboratory services
  • Preventative and wellness services, including cervical cancer screening and HIV screening and counseling
  • Pediatric services, including vision and dental care

Outside these essential benefits, what a plan covers will vary, which is why it’s important to read the fine print.


Cost of Health Insurance

Here’s a look at health insurance cost examples for Bronze, Silver and Gold plans among the large health insurance companies who scored highest in our rankings of the best health insurance companies.

Bronze Plans: Monthly Health Insurance Cost Examples—Large Providers

Company Issuer Adult individual age 30 Adult individual age 40 Adult individual age 50 Adult individual age 60
Aetna Aetna CVS Health in Texas $303 $341 $477 $724
Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas $356 $401 $560 $851
Cigna Cigna Healthcare in Florida $354 $399 $557 $846
Molina Healthcare Molina Healthcare in Florida $336 $379 $529 $804
UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare in Texas $278 $313 $437 $664

Silver Plans: Monthly Health Insurance Cost Examples—Large Providers

Company Issuer Adult individual age 30 Adult individual age 40 Adult individual age 50 Adult individual age 60
Aetna Aetna CVS Health in Texas $437 $492 $687 $1,044
Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas $501 $564 $788 $1,198
Bright HealthCare Bright HealthCare in Texas $380 $428 $598 $909
Cigna Cigna Healthcare in Florida $463 $521 $728 $1,107
Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente in Oregon $395 $445 $622 $945
Molina Healthcare Molina Healthcare in Florida $441 $497 $694 $1,055
Oscar Health Oscar Insurance Company in Texas $430 $484 $677 $1,029
UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare in Texas $398 $448 $627 $952

Gold Plans: Monthly Health Insurance Cost Examples—Large Providers

Company Issuer Adult individual age 30 Adult individual age 40 Adult individual age 50 Adult individual age 60
Aetna Aetna CVS Health in Texas $467 $526 $735 $1,117
Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas $461 $520 $726 $1,103
Bright HealthCare Bright HealthCare in Texas $388 $436 $610 $927
Cigna Cigna Healthcare in Florida $521 $586 $819 $1,245
Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente in Oregon $408 $460 $642 $976
Molina Healthcare Molina Healthcare in Florida $502 $565 $790 $1,200
Oscar Health Oscar Insurance Company in Texas $426 $480 $670 $1,019
UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare in Texas $399 $449 $628 $954

How to Choose the Best Health Insurance for You

The type of health insurance plan that’s right for you depends on factors such as:

  • Your eligibility for a plan
  • Costs
  • Benefit design
  • Provider network
  • Prescription drug coverage

If you’re eligible for a health plan through your job or your spouse or parent’s job, that is likely the cheapest way to get comprehensive coverage. If you don’t have that option, you can buy an ACA plan through the marketplace or one of the other options mentioned above.

Here’s how to compare plans to find the best health insurance:

  • Look at the costs, including premium, deductible, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximum. Some plans like HMOs have lower premiums, but they come with more restrictions. On the other hand, a PPO usually costs more but gives you the freedom to get out-of-network care.
  • Look at the deductible vs. premium. Someone who doesn’t expect to need much health care may prefer a plan with lower premiums and a high deductible. A person who regularly sees a doctor may do better with higher premiums and lower out-of-pocket costs like deductibles.
  • Compare plan type. Dig into the information about the benefit design types and weigh the pros and cons of PPOs, HMOs, EPOs and any other plan offered.
  • Check the provider network list to make sure your doctors and preferred facilities are in-network for the plans you’re reviewing. If they’re out-of-network, you may get no coverage for them, depending on the plan.
  • If you have prescriptions, check with the insurance company to confirm that they’re covered and see how much you would have to pay out of pocket.
  • Does the health plan offer extra benefits such as 24/7 nurse lines and telehealth?

Once you’ve done that work, you can feel more confident choosing the best health insurance plan for you.


Methodology for Company Ratings

We analyzed more than 180 health insurance plans to determine the best health insurance companies. Forbes Advisor’s ratings are based on:

  • Complaints made to state insurance departments (50% of score): We used 2021 complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
  • Plan ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (25% of score): The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits health plans and produces ratings based on specific metrics.
  • Plan ratings from the Affordable Care Marketplace (25% of score): We used the federal government’s overall quality rating for the company’s plan(s). Where government ratings weren’t available, a company’s Forbes Advisor rating is based on complaints and its NCQA scores.

Health insurance cost examples are from the federal health insurance marketplace.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is open enrollment for health insurance?

Open Enrollment for 2022 starts Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, and ends Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023. If you want your coverage to begin Jan. 1, 2023, you need to enroll in a plan by Dec.15, 2022.

Why is health insurance so expensive?

“The driving factor for why health insurance is so expensive is that health care is so expensive,” says Louise Norris, a licensed health insurance agent based in Colorado and author of The Insider’s Guide to Obamacare’s Open Enrollment. “The price of health care in this country is really high.”

According to a 2020 report from the Kaiser Family Foundation, insurers said the reasons they had to increase premium costs included the continued cost of COVID-19 testing, the rebounding of medical services that had been delayed during the pandemic and morbidities related to foregone care.

Does health insurance cover dental?

If you’re signed up for an ACA-compliant plan, it will cover pediatric oral care. “But no, it will not necessarily always include adult dental,” says Turner. “That’s not considered one of the 10 essential health benefits.”

Is it illegal to not have health insurance?

No, it is not illegal not to have health insurance, says Turner.


References

Next Up in Health Insurance


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